Maine gov backs away from 'Gestapo' comment

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Maine's governor is backing away from a comment in his weekend radio address in which he described the Internal Revenue Service to the "new Gestapo" while attacking President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Paul LePage said Monday his use of the word "Gestapo" "clouded" his message about rationing of health care and the requirement that Americans to buy health care or pay a tax.

LePage has a reputation for blunt talk, previously telling the NAACP to "kiss my butt," calling protesters "idiots," referring to state government middle managers as "corrupt" and even saying he'd tell Obama to "go to hell."

This marks the closest he's come to an apology. His spokeswoman, Adrienne Bennett, said his intent "was not to offend or to be hurtful."