Paul LePage Stumbles on Abortion in Maine Debate

“Republicans’ struggles to find an effective abortion message this campaign season manifested themselves on Tuesday on a debate stage in the Maine governor’s race, as former Gov. Paul LePage (R) repeatedly stumbled over a question about how he would handle the issue if voters returned him to office,” the New York Times reports.

“The issue has been an advantage for Democrats, whose base has been energized after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade while Republicans face a dilemma over how to reassure swing voters without alienating their conservative base. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat seeking a second four-year term, seemed to sense her opportunity while seated a few feet from Mr. LePage, a Republican who left office in 2019 because of Maine’s prohibition on serving a third consecutive term.”

Washington Post: “LePage’s awkward performance Tuesday highlights the position many antiabortion Republicans are in.”