Posted on 04/28/2017 7:50:20 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Ohio governor ran for the Republican nomination and lost. Now, in his new book and on the road, he's critical of the party and frequently noting the day will come when an independent could win the presidency. Is there space for Republicans like John Kasich in the party anymore?
Is John Kasich still a Republican?
The Ohio governor and mainstay of the party’s mainstream is out this week with a book that at times reads like an angry breakup letter.
“Oh yeah, I’m a Repub… ,” Kasich trailed off, conspicuously unable to finish the word in his rapid-fire stream of consciousness from the front seat of a big SUV barreling toward New Hampshire on Wednesday night. Kasich finished second in the state’s hugely important presidential primary last year. That was enough to make it one of the few high points of his campaign and, also conspicuously, one of the first book-signing stops on his national tour.
“I’m pro-environment, I’m pro-trade, I’m anti-debt, I’m pro-immigration, I’m pro-NATO,” Kasich continued. “And when I look at the party, I see it moving in a different direction. But I’ve always said I have the right to define what it means to be a Republican and a conservative.”
At a time when he clearly wants to remain a player on the national stage, Kasich is struggling with his political identity — and so is his party. If and where he fits in a GOP led by Donald Trump will say a great deal about the kind of Republicans who can succeed in it, and whether there’s still space for the open and internationalist values Kasich and other Republicans long have cherished.
(Excerpt) Read more at buzzfeed.com ...
That's true. I wonder however, if he'd be aghast at what has become of his Party.
Trump winning Ohio without him was the absolute best.
Cheap Labor Express Republicans are not able to sell their hogwash anymore and it is frustrating for them.
I’m so over reminding everyone that Sonufamailman wasn’t always as squeaky clean as he pretends to be now, but let’s all take a moment to remember his best friend Gary Condit naked in chaps, reflect on how Condit’s affairs all told how he loved threesomes with other men, and cast our memories back to Kasich, Condition, and Hastert being seen at some of the more swinging sex parties in DC. And then let’s all puke. Good morning.
Potomac Fever is a terrible disease, affecting some much more profoundly than others. There are, to be sure, some who are naturally immune, who can live in that environment, and never be troubled with the obvious symptoms. But then, they have grown up in an environment where they were properly prepared for wandering through that swamp, while the vast number of naive and poorly-trained souls succumb easily.
“Sifting out the hearts of men, before the Judgment Seat”
In reality, this is not about the direction of the party; he can’t understand why America doesn’t recognize what a great and caring ruler he would be.
don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.
“It is not a matter of the GOP finding a space for him and others like him, e.g., Jeb Bush.”
The problem is the media will give them platforms as elder, wiser Republicans to trash conservatives because they are not reaching across the aisle. They are future Gerald Fords.
“He’s a real nowhere man.”
LOL. Perfect. It fits him so well.
At least Jeb is out there trying to hustle investors to put up money so he can run a baseball team. It worked so well for investors in his presidential campaign.
I’m pretty sure Kasich has been angling for the 2020 Democrat nomination since last summer. If they weren’t both white men, he and Andrew Cuomo would be the default ticket.
I have met Gerald Ford and had an interesting and enjoyable 30 minute conversation with him. Bush and Kasich are no Gerald Fords. They are much worse. And Ford was an authentic war hero whose service is not recognized as it should be.
John Kasich is the most perfect example of a Republican that i can think of except perhaps for John McCain.
The GOP is the last people on earth you want standing behind you.
They are all Judas.
Nope. Kaisch is another mouth talking itself into poltical oblivion. Dunning–Kruger effect in action.
John Kasich is what’s wrong with the Republican Party.
That is the DC beltway dogma that is completely missing the facts. The GOP Senatorial candidates in Nov 2016 won those areas easily. What happened is the GOP-E #Never Trump moment did keep a good % of GOPE Traditional voters from voting for Trump. After a successful 4 year term as President those voters will come back to Trump after seeing he is not the "Liberal in GOP clothing" the #Never Trumpers spent so much time and effort trying to paint him as being.
Gerald Ford may have been a nice guy and a war hero. However I was so tired of the periodic, predictable Gerald Ford columns in the New York Times encouraging Republicans to reach across the aisle when the conservatives were trying to accomplish something.
He, or someone in his inner circle, should have recognized he was being used.
You are right, however, Bush and Kasich are worse. In my mind, the New York Times and the establishment party have moved beyond differences of opinion to evil. I should have recognized it sooner.
I hope you are right. Many of these areas reflected 3-4% of the vote going to the Libertarian candidate, well above the usual 1% or so that party usually attracts. One big problem for Trump are the RINOs like Paul Ryan, who is thwarting the sort of moves like tax cuts, repeal of Obamacare, and deregulation that would appeal to these voters.
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