Maine’s secretary of state says he can’t oust the governor

[jpak]

Source: Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s Democratic secretary of state says Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s recent behavior has caused outrage but that doesn’t mean he can’t keep performing as governor.

A group of independent and Democratic lawmakers had asked Secretary of State Matt Dunlap to invoke a never-before-used constitutional provision they said would let Dunlap start the process of temporarily removing LePage for being unfit to serve.

Dunlap on Thursday called LePage’s conduct “reprehensible.” But he says Maine’s constitution doesn’t detail how the provision would work and says he lacks “manifest evidence” LePage is unable to serve.

Critics want to punish LePage for an obscenity-laden voice mail and threats directed at a legislator.

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Read more: http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/08/maines-secretary-of-state-says-he-cant-oust-the-governor/

[Sunlei]

1. Once cray crays are elected they can do what they want, as long as it's legal.

That's why it's good to remember what MLK said, not to long ago.

"Remember, everything hitler did was legal"
ML King

[still_one]

2. Have no idea, but doesn't Maine provide a mechanism for impeahment?

Last edited Fri Sep 9, 2016, 12:02 PM - Edit history (1)

[cstanleytech]

3. But for what in this case?

Cussing out someone? Being a complete and utter asshole? I don't believe those are things you can impeach anyone for in this country.

[still_one]

5. I think they can impeach for any reason. Whether they get a conviction is another story

[cstanleytech]

7. Not if their impeachment rules are like most which usually means high crimes and misdemeanors.

[randome]

4. The legislature can impeach him for not cutting his hair properly.

But they kicked the can to the Secretary of State so they don't have to sully their beautiful minds with the process. Didn't work, though.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Everything is a satellite to some other thing.[/center][/font][hr]

[MarianJack]

6. Hi from Winthrop, Maine.

I've met Matt Dunlap personally and voted for him in his 2012 US Senate primary. I consider him to be a man of great knowledge and integrity. if he says that there is no way that he may legally remove our "glorious" governor from office, than I believe him.

We, the voters, had the opportunity to do so in 2014 and replace him with Mike Michaud, whom would have been a great governor. Again, I'll say "THANKS, Eliot Cutler!"

PEACE!