Kasich Says He ‘Just Can’t’ Bring Himself To Vote For Trump Despite Pledge

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said that he has no plan to vote for Donald Trump in November, despite making a pledge to support the GOP nominee when he was running in the 2016 race.

Asked by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough if he would stick to the pledge, Kasich called his decision not to “painful.” “I'm sorry this has happened. We'll see where it ends up. I'm not making a final decision yet but at this point I just can't do it,” the Ohio governor said.

Kasich, the last Republican contender remaining in the race before Trump emerged as the presumptive nominee, has heavily criticized the billionaire businessman’s rhetoric and policy proposals.

“The divisiveness, the division, the name calling it just doesn't go down well with me,” Kasich said last week, asking Trump to apologize to a federal judge for attacking his “Mexican” heritage.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/john-kasich-just-cant-vote-for-trump

[spud_demon]

1. Trump isn't the nominee until their convention

so technically Kashich isn't breaking his pledge. Yet.

[OnDoutside]

2. I'm not making a final decision yet ..... What limit does Trump have to reach in racism & bigotry

before a Republican can completely reject Trump ? It's staggering when you think about it. Even Scarborough couldn't completely reject him.

[Maeve]

3. He may be an asshole but he does have some principles

Most of which suck, but points for this.

[Botany]

4. John doesn't want to take a ride on the Trump Titanic.

[irisblue]

5. Kasich has values & a conscious? amazing

considering his service under Gingrich & Ryan in the 90s in the House; as well as his behavior as governor.

[LoverOfLiberty]

6. This is the one

that they will replace Trump with if he steps aside.

[NEOBuckeye]

7. Don't bet on it.

Kasich isn't exactly well-loved by the GOP establishment and donors (e.g. the Kochs). They would sooner back Walker or Rubio as an alternate. His failure to gain traction during the primaries damaged his brand and future hopes for anything on a national level other than maybe an appointment.

Outside of Ohio, Kasich is washed-up. Even here, people are already talking about the next gubernaorial race, and he is term-limited out of it.