AUBURN, Maine — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says his grandmother would’ve washed his mouth out with soap over some of the things he’s said, and he pointed out that even “bad words” are protected by the Constitution.

LePage acknowledged Thursday at an event sponsored by the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce that he doesn’t have “the cleanest mouth” and that his “vocabulary needs improvement.”

The Republican governor’s accomplishments have sometimes been overshadowed by his remarks, like telling the Portland, Maine, NAACP chapter to “kiss my butt” and saying a senator gives to people “without providing Vaseline.” He recently caused an uproar by leaving a profane message on a lawmaker’s voicemail.