On Monday, CNN anchors opened fire on "narrow-minded" Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson for his "homophobic remarks," and questioned the Biblical condemnation of homosexual behavior.
"I totally disagree with the guy," said outraged fill-in CNN anchor Kyra Phillips. "I think he's so narrow-minded and he really needs to, like, get with the times." Fill-in host Brianna Keilar called Robertson's comments "homophobic" on The Situation Room. [Video below the break. Audio here.]
In that same segment, National Journal's Ron Brownstein said Robertson was "on the wrong side of history":
"I think his comments are clearly on the wrong side of history, in the sense of where American opinion is going. And when the Pope is saying who am I to judge, to double down in the way he did in saying I know what's right and what's right and wrong seems to me again, on the wrong side of history."
On Twitter, New Day co-host Chris Cuomo challenged the Biblical condemnation of homosexuality that Robertson cited. "Paul names homosexuality as a sin, but he also condones slavery, and that women obey their husbands as if he were christ. Times change, no?"
Cuomo admitted that he was asking in light of Robertson's comments. "I am operating on a premise that is out there regarding #DuckDynasty beliefs and asking about other ideas by same writer," he said of the epistles of St. Paul, which Robertson cited.
Below is a transcript of the segments, which aired on CNN on December 23:
KYRA PHILLIPS: I totally disagree with the guy. I think he's so narrow-minded and he really needs to like get with the times. But I mean you've got politicians that are expressing support for this guy too, right? But then again, that comes down to money.
(...)
BRIANNA KEILAR: Let's change gears a little bit, talk about one of our favorite subjects, Duck Dynasty. S.E., I'll start with you on this. You're a big fan of Duck Dynasty. You have some connection to the loveable folks on the show. What do you think about obviously one of the show's biggest stars causing so much controversy because of his homophobic remarks? A lot of people felt he was very lovable before. They do not feel that way now. Some do, though.
(...)
RON BROWNSTEIN: Two quick things. It's a reminder of why culture is eclipsing class as the fundamental dividing line in our politics. Every Republican, so many leading Republicans have felt compelled to support him at a time when I think his comments are clearly on the wrong side of history, in the sense of where American opinion is going. And when the Pope is saying who am I to judge, to double down in the way he did in saying I know what's right and what's right and wrong seems to me again, on the wrong side of history.
