news Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Kentucky): Sacrificing trans people won't earn us voters' trust

[Communion]

 

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What I offer instead is a way forward. I won re-election 12 months ago by five points in a state that Donald Trump just carried by 30 points. And I did so at a time when inflation and illegal border crossings were higher than they are now. So how was it possible? Because the people of Kentucky know I care about them personally and, most important, that I am focused on what matters most in their daily lives. That's a trust leaders must earn not only in their messaging but also in their everyday actions.

 

When most Americans wake up in the morning, they are not thinking about politics. Americans wake up thinking about their jobs and whether they make enough money to support their families. We wake up thinking about the next doctor's appointment for ourselves, our parents or our kids. We wake up thinking about the roads and bridges we will drive on that day, wondering how safe they are and how much traffic we will see. We wake up thinking about the public school we will drop our kids off at, and we wake up thinking about public safety in our communities.

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So the way forward is not complicated, but it takes work and discipline. The focus of the Democratic Party must return to creating better jobs, more affordable and accessible health care, safer roads and bridges, the best education for our children and communities where people aren't just safer but also feel safer.

 

We do this through policy and by taking direct action that gets results. In 2023, I expanded Medicaid in Kentucky to include vision, hearing and dental coverage and, throughout my time in office, have signed bills prioritizing mental health, capping the cost of insulin and expanding telehealth. I also worked with our private and nonprofit sectors in opening a pediatric autism center in Appalachia and just celebrated the opening of the first new hospital in one of our largest African American communities in 150 years.

 

These are tangible results, where some seniors could finally afford dentures or glasses and parents didn't have to drive two hours or take two buses to get their child to a doctor.

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None of this means we abandon important values and principles. As governor, I have vetoed numerous anti-L.G.B.T.Q. and anti-choice bills, yet I still beat Mr. Trump's handpicked candidate last fall. That happened because even if some voters might have disagreed with the vetoes, they knew the next day I would be announcing new jobs, opening a new health clinic or finishing a new road that would cut 20 minutes off their commute. They knew my focus and effort was on their daily needs and that our gains as a commonwealth would help every single one of our families.

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Earning trust and showing people you care about them also requires that we talk to people like normal human beings. And that we are not afraid to share our "why." For me, my why is my faith, and I share it proudly. I vetoed anti-L.G.B.T.Q. legislation last year because I believe all children are children of God. And whether people agree with my decision, they know why I'm making it. They know where I am coming from.

 

So while others are talking about political strategy and messaging, the way forward is really about focus and about action

 

[Mother Earth]

Say it louder for the Suozzis in the back, king 

[Lightbringer007]

hes so goated fr

[Distantconstellation]

Hes right economic populist issues that almost all poor and working class Americans can stand behind have to come first and then we can disagree on  social issues. Throwing trans people under the bus isn't going to help. 

Edited yesterday at 12:34 AM by Distantconstellation

[Princess Aurora]

I agree. The Dems should be there for all marginalized people and the working class

[Pikachoo]

a young white man with a southern accent running in 2028 for Dems?

 

Bill Clinton you will never be famous  

Edited yesterday at 01:19 AM by Pikachoo

[choerry]

He's my governor, and I'm hoping he runs in the next dem primary 

 

[Bloo]

Now that’s my f***ing governor.  

[Jotham]

He's right. I think if he continues speaking up, he can build enough momentum to run for president in 2028.

[Bethenny Frankel]

I just wonder if this momentum could lead to a presidential run

[Achilles.]

We're gonna need the Dems to bring this kind of energy because that demon MTG is already outlining her anti-trans legislation (jail doctors for following standards of care for trans youth, make gender-affirming care harder to access for adults, ban medical schools from teaching it, ban doctors from immigrating if they've provided gender-affirming care) and it will probably pass. 

[Wonderland]

[Distantconstellation]

17 minutes ago, Achilles. said:

We're gonna need the Dems to bring this kind of energy because that demon MTG is already outlining her anti-trans legislation (jail doctors for following standards of care for trans youth, make gender-affirming care harder to access for adults, ban medical schools from teaching it, ban doctors from immigrating if they've provided gender-affirming care) and it will probably pass. 

Harder for adults? No sweetheart it's outright getting banned. The whole  "children" excuse  is how they get it banned altogether. 

[leonbotstein]

He's describing Biden's agenda?

[commander]

Kentucky governor? Wow maybe America isn't such a lost cause after all

[CandleGuy]

3 hours ago, Pikachoo said:

a young white man with a southern accent running in 2028 for Dems?

 

Bill Clinton you will never be famous  

I volunteer as intern 

[dawnettakins]

A Democrat with a spine and showing actual political tact?

 

Maybe we just found the next nominee who actually stands a chance in 2028.

[Letters From Adi]

Good to see that there are sane people in the party still. DNC shills, take note