Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) said Wednesday on CNN's “News Central” that the Republican Party's anti-trans political ads are an example of “the politics of anger.”
Anchor Jake Tapper said, “You've said this PAC supports candidates who buck the national trend of anger politics and division. How do you define anger politics and division? I think so.''
“The politics of anger is trying to turn one American against another,” Beshear said. “Whether it's based on my beliefs, values, or morals. It's a mistake to divide this country in a way that will try to get a few more votes for people with letters behind them. Look at the attacks against groups of people and children, and look at the three-letter acronyms that seem to be out there. We look at word-based attacks, which are an attempt to infuriate people, not necessarily infuriate someone or any other group of people running for office in this country. I think it's a threat and definitely violates the golden rule of loving your neighbor as yourself and the parable of the Good Samaritan that said everyone is your neighbor. , and I know it's right here in Kentucky that I've seen all the outrageous, disgusting, scapegoating, hate-based advertising you could ask for, and what have we done? We pushed back with compassion and empathy about standing up for the right, and we came out on top.”
“I'm just wondering what is an example of a race where this kind of politics of hate and anger has been exploited,” Tapper said.
Beshear said, “The millions of anti-trans ads that we've seen have made it difficult for young kids who are trying to find their way in this world to understand how different groups of us understand what it's all about.” They were forced to counter the idea that they would be repeatedly attacked, regardless of whether or not they were called names. Knowing that, it's wrong to have that kind of negativity directed at us.”
He added: “This is the type of anger politics we see in the world, and that's not where we should be.”
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