Maine gov. who blasted critics changes MLK plansBy GLENN ADAMS
The Associated Press
Monday, January 17, 2011; 12:21 PM
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WATERVILLE, Maine -- Gov. Paul LePage changed his Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend plans and showed up at a breakfast honoring the slain civil rights leader Monday, days after he said critics of his decision to skip other events could "kiss my butt." He even joined some of the participants in an African dance.
The Republican governor's appearance was organized in the days after he made the remark Friday, responding to a reporter's question about criticism he had received over his decision not to attend the state NAACP's annual King Day celebrations. He said at the time that he didn't attend events for special interests, and his spokesman cited scheduling conflicts.
"Tell them to kiss my butt," LePage said.The comment drew harsh criticism from state and national leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Maine NAACP Director Rachel Talbot Ross said her organization is no special interest, and the group's national president and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said LePage's comments "inflame racial tension."
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More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/17/AR2011011701980.html:evilgrin: