augusta maine maine lawmakers kill motion thursday would mark first step toward impeach republican governor paul lepage whose blunt comment often infuriate adversaries motion present thursday morning eight democrats one independent call creation legislative committee investigate least eight allegations misconduct lepage lawmakers seek lepage ouster contend overstep authority threaten withhold fund last year nonprofit hire political rival among charge legislators include lepage critics democratic-controlled state house representatives vote 96-52 postpone motion indefinitely say along impeachment nonsense nothing political witch hunt absolutely merit lepage say statement follow vote vote come week lepage draw criticism say out-of-state drug dealers come maine impregnate white girls critics call comment racist lepage tell reporters misspoken majority democrats speak three hour-long house debate favor investigation lepage action republicans say allegations lepage would set bar impeachment proceed low go standard threshold next time someone disgruntle action chief executive ask republican state representative ken fredette lepage acknowledge threaten withhold fund charter school trouble youths hire house speaker mark eves democrat president lepage say felt eves unqualified offer job political favor maine attorney general janet mill democrat often odds lepage review charge find basis criminal investigation since take office 2011 favorite conservative tea party movement lepage often engage war word political opponents call eves hack often refer legislators corrupt maine governor ever impeach nationally state officials rarely impeach recently 2009 illinois governor rod blagojevich remove office attempt sell president-elect barack obama vacate senate seat cash maine lawmakers drop effort impeach combative governor