It’s true, and the Republican candidate for Governor made it unavoidably plain. When he was asked “Would you support offshore drilling in the waters off the Maine Coast?” in a televised gubernatorial debate in May of this year, Paul LePage gave an unequivocal one-word answer: “Yes.”

We’ve seen what happened to the fishing and tourism industries of the Gulf Coast after BP’s recent oil disaster. Is this what you want to see happening in Maine’s future?

His opponents will get some mileage from the Republican’s answer to question about “creationism” in a debate.

He did not propose this as a vital educational reform. He did not advocate removing evolution from the curriculum. He merely said that he would not oppose a local school board including such a component.

It’s never safe to trust the truth value of a politician’s defense of someone else in his own party. Let’s fact-check John Frary’s claim about Paul LePage. What did Paul LePage actually say?

Debate transcript, May 27, 2010:

Full text of question posed by Maine Public Radio’s Jennifer Rooks: “Do you believe in creationism, and do you think it should be taught in Maine public schools?”

Full text of answer by Paul LePage: “I would say intelligence, uh, the more education you have the more knowledge you have the better person you are and I believe yes and yes.”

John Frary Claim #1: “He did not propose this as a vital educational reform.”
Verdict: FALSE. In a gubernatorial debate, candidates speak about what they would do as governor. When asked “Do you believe in creationism, and do you think it should be taught in Maine public schools?”, Paul LePage unequivocally declared “I believe yes and yes.” Yes, Paul LePage thinks creationism should be taught in Maine public schools. It was a reform proposal made specifically and voluntarily by Paul LePage.

John Frary Claim #2: “He did not advocate removing evolution from the curriculum.”
Verdict: TRUE. But nobody claims that Paul LePage is advocating this. Run a google search for “Paul LePage” and “remove evolution” and you’ll get… nothing at all. Tomorrow, you’ll get nothing. John Frary is engaged in an attempt to change the subject from creationism, a subject Paul LePage declares he thinks should be taught in Maine public schools.

John Frary Claim #3: “He merely said that he would not oppose a local school board including such a component.”
Verdict: FALSE. Paul LePage did not equivocate. He did not couch his support for creationism in public schools in terms of “local school boards” or “components.” Paul LePage made the broad declaration, “Yes,” he thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

If you live in Maine and you think creationism is for Sunday School and science is for public school, now is the time to come out and say so. After Paul LePage is elected governor, it will be too late.

So much for the rainbow state. So much for people who care for one another in Hawaii. So much for protection of these beautiful islands. Are you angry? Have you had enough of Linda Lingle’s vision for Hawaii? Then say so.

I would say intelligence, uh, the more education you have the more knowledge you have the better person you are and I believe yes and yes.

Yes: Paul LePage believes in creationism. This may be odd, given the strong empirical evidence for evolution, but as an individual LePage has the right to believe in whatever religious ideas he wants.

Yes: Paul LePage wants creationism to be taught in public schools. This is where LePage crosses the line into using his political position for pushy religious proselytization. It’s just the sort of pushy, nosy, intrusive behavior that a place like Maine is supposed to stand against. Will we be able to say that in the future?

Creationism is for Sunday school. Science is for public school. Say No to Creationism in Public Schools. Say No to Paul LePage.

In the current election season, something similar is happening in Maine. With a declaration yesterday that “We can continue using duct tape, Bondo and baling wire to keep our economy limping down the road,” Republican Steve Abbot joined more than 20 other candidates who are running for the office of Governor of Maine. The Portland Press Herald refers to the race as “already crowded,” as if there isn’t enough room in Mainers’ heads to think of all their choices. Won’t an anointed candidate emerge to make the choice simple?

But who says life has to be simple? A “simple” choice between two alternatives often leaves most of the power in the hands of those who decide what the choices will be. Now that’s classy… as in upper-class control. We say let a thousand candidates bloviate, and let the people decide who moves forward.

In the meantime, there’s nothing wrong with a little humor directed at the situation. Share this message with fellow travelers on the roads and byways of the Pine Tree state: You’re running for Governor? Hey, me too!

Using the logic of Wamp’s own opposition to a health care public option, they’re pointing out that Wamp is trying to create a public option church. This isn’t just a rhetorical speculation. It’s a real church that Zach Wamp is trying to have built, using federal government money, that would create unfair competition, driving local churches out of business.

It’s a big luxury church costing taxpayers 14.4 million dollars, which Congressman Wamp wants to locate within the fences of Fort Campbell, although there are already many military chapels on the Fort. What’s more, there’s something like 100 churches within 15 miles of Fort Campbell.

Those churches depend on the local base, and soldier’s families, for memberships and funds. Zach Wamp seems determined to run them into the ground by creating his public option church, sucking local church pews dry.

Zach Wamp? Sure, vote for him if you like a Big Government public option church. As for me, I think that Tennessee can do better.

To support Lynne Williams in her gubernatorial bid, put one of these stickers on your car, kayak or bicycle. Then wait for the fruitful conversations to begin.

So who will the vice presidential nominee under Barack Obama be? Let’s consider someone who is like Hillary Clinton, but without all the baggage.

Consider Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Governor Granholm has obvious demographic similarities to Hillary Clinton, without all the baggage that Hillary Clinton would bring.

Besides that, Granholm has executive experience of the sort that Barack Obama needs to balance his ticket. Finally, consider the rancor with which the Michigan delegate problems were resolved. Adding Jennifer Granholm to the Obama for President campaign would go a long way toward Democratic Party healing.

If you agree, show your support for Granholm. Put this Obama-Granholm 2008 bumper sticker on your car, and promote a better choice for Obama’s VP everywhere that you drive.