Bevin's visit to Democrats' booth at Kentucky State Fair was respectful, volunteers say
Sarah LaddGov. Matt Bevin paid a visit to the Kentucky Democrats' booth at the state fair in Louisville on Saturday clad in a bright blue jacket decorated with many large images of President Donald Trump's face.
The gesture was soon all over social media as people called the move "trolling." Meme-worthy captions abounded.
But the visit wasn't trolling, volunteers who were at the booth said.
Meera Sahney said the picture of her frowning was misleading. "We talked about civil discourse and working together, in which we were able to find common ground," tweeted Sahney, who wrote in a separate tweet that she's a first-generation American.
Tuesday, she again tweeted about it. "We must come together to create positive change for our community beyond any series of photos. Person-to-person conversations, volunteering, and registering to vote are vital to the progression of a better government."
Sahney is University of Louisville freshman who's been involved with political volunteering for years. She later told the Courier Journal she led both the Young Republicans and Young Democrats at her high school, "which provided a foundation to finding common ground."
"It's important to understand where people's experiences coincide with their positions," Sahney said. "Ultimately, and in the case with Gov. Bevin, the question should be 'how can we work together'?" She doesn't agree with Bevin's policies, she said, but thinks finding common ground when possible is important.
She said she found common ground with the governor on topics like foster care reform in the state — "a personal issue to Gov. Bevin," she said. "I believe that issue is bipartisan and both of us could come together on that."
"While I cannot speak for Gov. Bevin's intentions, he came to our booth with respect," she said. "While the jacket was an obvious move to get attention, he treated us with civility" and thanked the volunteers for being there.
Beyond "these trivial photos, we should always strive to be kinder, compassionate and open minded," she said. "Our democracy depends on it."
Forest Clevenger identified himself as another one of the volunteers and said Bevin visits the booth every year and is nice to the volunteers.
"I'm sure he knew the photo op would bring attention, but he began and ended the conversation by telling us how much he respected the work that we do," Clevenger tweeted. "Don't get me wrong, he has none of my support. But person to person convos like that are necessary to repair our polarization."
Clevenger, a freshman at the University of Louisville who's been an activist for years, later told the Courier Journal he and the others spoke with Bevin about the foster care system, abortion and "red flag" gun legislation.
Having those conversations, which Clevenger estimated lasted 10 to 15 minutes, was a chance to experience mutual respect and listening.
“We had a respectful conversation with the governor," Clevenger said, "and I only wish he brought that respect to everything else he does.”
The governor wasn't mean at all, Clevenger said. He wasn't ready to talk about the "red flag" bill, he said, and the conversation about abortion was a "tense moment."
But “I just have to believe that within every person there’s a chance and a hope that they can grow and the only way to do that is to have a conversation with them," Clevenger said.
Davis Paine, Bevin's campaign manager, posted photos from the visit on Twitter and wrote, "Great discussion about policy and how we can keep KY moving forward. Many comments from folks working the booth about how they plan to use these pics to shame @AndyBeshearKY into visiting them."
The Kenton County Democrats, however, shared a photo of Bevin at the booth on Facebook Monday and wrote, "Oh yes, he was there to troll, because he bragged about it." Kenton County is directly south of Cincinnati.
More news:Judge: Hampton, Bevin need to figure out fired staff dispute themselves
Later, at the Lincoln Dinner Saturday, Bevin said he went to the booth because it was "easy fishing" in his Trump blazer.
However you see it, Bevin has used unusual tactics before.
At the Lincoln Dinner, he read a poem about Andy Beshear, his opponent in the governor's race, to cheers from the crowd.
"There once was a fellow named Andy," Bevin cited. "With financial facts not so handy. Has no actual plan but to keep kicking the can, chewing up taxpayer funds like they're candy."
And, when he was running for governor in September 2015, he paid the Kentucky Democratic party a visit at its Frankfort headquarters to complain about a sign that said, "You still can't trust Matt Bevin."
A party spokesperson said at the time that Bevin yelled at the receptionist over the sign, but Bevin's campaign denied that claim.
That same month, he recorded a campaign video with a Democratic sign in view behind him in Frankfort.
In the pun-filled video in which he jokes that no life is present in the capital thanks to liberal politicians, Bevin thanked Kentucky Democrats for featuring his name on their sign.
"I'm grateful for the fact that I'm getting this PR from the Democrat Party," Bevin said. "They apparently don't think well enough of their own candidate to tell you anything about him."
Opinion:Bevin can't get along with anyone. He has the lawyers, Hampton to prove it
Bevin's opponent then was Attorney General Jack Conway, who lost to Bevin by a margin of 52.5% to 43.8%.
Trolling opponents, mostly Democrats, is also a familiar Trump tactic.
In 2017, the president tweeted a book recommendation: "Reasons to vote for Democrats." It was published by The Daily Wire and was 260 blank pages.
Also in 2017, CNN called Trump "the best troll in all of politics," referencing his "Pocahontas" nickname for presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and his "Crooked Hillary" remarks.
"When Trump has the chance to return to his natural state as troll-in-chief, he takes it," CNN's Chris Cillizza wrote. "He loves the barbs, the reaction, the aftermath. It's what makes him go at some level, what he truly enjoys about politics. It's also when he is at his best, the closest representation of the person 60+ million people voted for – a brash, unapologetic pot-stirrer who doesn't care what anyone thinks of him."
Reach breaking news reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd@courier-journal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ladd_sarah. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.