Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Friday he would stay with the Republican Party despite the differences he has with President Trump, and despite his opposition to the GOP’s plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
“No. I’m a Republican. I haven’t given up on my party,” Kasich said when asked at an event in Washington. He said that just a day after a report speculated that Kasich may flirt with an independent bid for the White House.
But Kasich did talk up the chances of a wealthy independent nominee coming forth to win the presidency in the near future, and the “rise of independence” within the American electorate.
“Politics is changing, frankly. The rise of independence, we’re going to see it,” he said. “I don’t know over what period of time, but I think it’s very possible to see either a realignment or the beginning of a serious erosion of both political parties because they’re too locked in.”
“I do believe it is possible in the future for a well-funded independent candidate — wealthy independent candidate to win the presidency,” Kasich said. “I believe that is possible.”
Kasich’s comments also came one day ahead of Trump’s 100th day in office. When asked to grade Trump’s 100 days, the Ohio governor said it’s too soon hand out grades and argued that Trump is still getting used to not being the same type of boss he was in the real estate world.
“Incomplete,” Kasich said. “A lot of it is just talk right now. Nothing really has happened outside of knock and talk that’s really impacted anybody.”
“Look, this is early,” Kasich said. “You have to give the guy — he’s never held a political office. He’s used to being in a situation where he gives orders and everything happens. He’s beginning to realize that he actually has a board of directors of 435 [congressmen] and 100 [senators] and I really just want to give him a chance, and I want him to do well.”
Kasich did not altogether rule out a potential run for office in the future, and said he didn’t want to make a declarative statement one way or another. However, he revealed that he will maintain a political organization into the future despite being term-limited in Ohio.
“I don’t know what I’m doing … You don’t ever say no to anything in life,” Kasich said. “I intend to keep raising the money if I can to have to resources to continue to have a team so I can engage and speak out. Who knows where it’s all going to go.
Kasich is currently on a media tour after the release of his book “Two Paths,” titled after a speech he made toward the end of his campaign last spring.
