Political talk still stirring up controversy

Maine's new governor is the latest elected official to cause a stir with blunt talk — telling critics to "kiss my butt." Gov. Paul LePage, a businessman who this month became Maine's first Republican governor in 16 years, declined to attend or send a representative to a Martin Luther King Day event. When sponsors complained, LePage told a reporter Friday: "Tell them to kiss my butt."

LePage retreated slightly the next day, saying he would be happy to meet with civil rights leaders to talk about the needs for all the people. "I'm sure the governor wishes he'd used different words, but he's a blunt, outspoken person, and that's one thing people like about him," says Charles Webster, chairman of Maine's Republican Party.

Political talk still controversy

The tone of political dialogue has been a sensitive issue since Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in Tucson, although it's unknown whether the mentally troubled gunman had a political motive. HARSH WORDS: Gabrielle Giffords shooting fuels debate over rhetoric TOLERANCE: Obama's call for civility seen as striking right tone Leaders of both political parties in Washington, D.C., have supported an effort to reduce hostility in political speech, but in state governments, where politicians are generally less experienced and political language less scripted, the conflict between straight-talk and political correctness is charting an uncertain course.

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is among Democrats who've found themselves in hot water for speaking too freely. Today, most of those criticized are conservative Republicans: Ohio. New Gov. John Kasich attacked those concerned over secrecy in his administration and, at first, refused to let reporters witness his swearing in.

Texas. Gov. Rick Perry caused a storm by hinting that Texas had a right to withdraw from the U.S. — remarks he later stepped back from. New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie has attracted national attention and more than a million YouTube views for his attacks on teacher unions.

Voters "learn about (you) in those unscripted moments," Christie said Sunday on Fox News.

Former Al Gore speechwriter Bob Lehrman says the traditional political style — "my esteemed colleague from the other side of the aisle" — seems stiff to outsiders but helps politicians cope with a job that involves constant disagreements.

Still, political language is changing, he says, so Vice President Biden can say f--- and not create a big fuss. LaPage is one the new elected officials who aren't professional politicians. The governor was born poor in Maine, one of 18 children. His first language was French. He was successful in lumber and selling surplus goods. "He started with nothing and worked hard to get where he is," Webster says.

He knows how political language works. The plumber and heating equipment installer who has five employees was a "working man" when he ran successfully for the Legislature and a "businessman" when he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1994.

Jack Shafer, media writer at slate.com, says: "I don't think anybody is genuinely offended by his frank talk. Instead, I think they're secretly delighted because they think they can score political points off of his directness."