President Trump dismissed former Ohio Gov. John Kasich ahead of his Democratic Convention speech, slamming his former 2016 Republican nominee rival as a “major loser,” whom people “don’t like” or “don’t trust him.”
“He was a loser as a Republican and he’ll be a loser as a Democrat. Major loser as a Republican,” Trump told reporters flying back to Washington D.C. abroad Air Force One after a day spent campaigning in Minnesota and Wisconsin. “I guess you can quote me on that. John was a loser as a Republican. Never even came close. And as a Democrat, he’ll be an even greater loser.”
Trump added that people don’t like or trust Kasich.
“People don’t like him, people don’t trust him, his healthcare in Ohio was a disaster. He hasn’t done too well with Trump. He’s been easy pickings,” Trump continued.
Kasich in 2016 ran an unsuccessful presidential bid for the Republican nomination and was the last man standing against Trump. He famously refused to attend the national convention of his own party in his own state in protest of Trump’s coronation as the Republican presidential nominee, despite signing a loyalty pledge from the Republican National Committee.
Since leaving the governor’s mansion in 2019, Kasich has emerged as Never-Trumper on cable news and has called for Trump impeachment.
The former Ohio governor told CNN last week that he decided to speak at the Democratic Convention because of “conscience.”
“The reason I didn’t support Trump the last time is I was afraid that he would be a divider and not a unifier, and our best leaders historically have been unifiers — Republicans and Democrats. But unfortunately, as I’ve watched him over the last 3 1/2 years now, he’s continued to do that, and I don’t think the country does well when we’re divided,” Kasich told CNN. “I had to search my conscience. When the Democrats asked me to speak, I had to think about it, and I believe we need a new direction. We just can’t keep going the way that we’re going,” he added. “It was necessary to do this, and I felt it’s the right thing to do.”
I will be speaking at the #DNC Convention because I believe that America needs to go in a different direction.
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 11, 2020
I’ve searched my conscience and I believe the best way forward is for change – to bring unity where there has been division. And to bring about a healing in America. pic.twitter.com/sfnBGBF3kG
Ohio Republican Chairman Jane Timken also blasted Kasich appearance during a call with reporters Monday.
“John Kasich has jumped on the bandwagon after fizzling out of Republican politics. He should want Ohioans to succeed, but instead, he endorses the radical plans of the Democrats who want to take away the freedoms of Americans,” Timken said.
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What do you think?