Courtesy: Maine Republican Party
(NEWS CENTER) - Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Libby Mitchell is apologizing for a picture of her laughing at a photo of President George W. Bush that was stamped "International Terrorist."
Republican Candidate Paul LePage mentioned the photo during a debate Monday night in Bangor. The Maine Republican Party later emailed the picture to a number of different media sources.
In the email, the Republican Party calls Mitchell a hypocrite. GOP Communications Director Lance Dutson draws comparisons to Mitchell's criticism of LePage when he told a group of fishermen that he'd tell President Obama to "go to hell."
Mitchell apologized for the photo, saying, "I regret that I had my photo taken with this item I had in my hand. It certainly isn't indicative of any lack of respect for the President of the United States." She would not compare her actions in this case to those of LePage.
Mitchell said she didn't remember the picture being taken, but that it was taken at a meet and greet event for her candidacy at a private home within the past year. The Maine Democratic party said the owner of the photo received an official letter from President Bush and applied the "International Terrorist" sticker himself.
The Democratic Party also defended Mitchell. They say LePage is desperate and dug up the photo to take the campaign focus off the issues.
NEWS CENTER