The Republican Party Didn't Leave John Kasich. John Kasich Left the Republican Party.

Perpetual Presidential Candidate John Kasich is finally on his way out as Governor of Ohio. Luckily for us all, that means he has even more time to appear on CNN and talk about how he couldn’t be a part of the Republican Party anymore.

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As though he’s even really been a member? Remember, this is the guy who expanded Medicaid in his state, and believes that Jesus wanted him to.

So, back in late April, Kasich told CNN that it wasn’t that he left the Republican Party, but vice versa.

“I’m still a Republican. I didn’t leave the Republican Party. The Republican Party left me,” Kasich said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “In my state we have balanced budgets, surplus, we’re up half a million jobs and then people say, ‘Well Kasich’s not a conservative.’ What does that mean?”

What it means is that conservatives have some core beliefs. Among them is the belief that the best way to independent prosperity isn’t through government. Expanding the state makes people more dependent on the state, and when you are dependent on the state, there is no incentive to grow.

But Kasich doesn’t agree with that. He likes to talk about how fiscally responsible he is, but his state’s spending on Medicaid expansion jumped way higher than it was supposed to, and he refuses to acknowledge it.

Today, however, is the moment where we discover that Kasich was wrong – the Republican Party did not leave him. He left the Republican Party.

Ohio’s term-limited Republican governor, John Kasich, has so far avoided endorsing the GOP nominee to replace him, state attorney general Mike DeWine, citing concerns about the future of one of his signature policies, Medicaid expansion.

“It was held and some people won,” Kasich said simply when asked about the gubernatorial primary on Wednesday, before adding that he feels “very, very strongly about the issue of Medicaid expansion.”

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To DeWine’s credit, they would love to meet with Kasich and work something out.

Kasich “looks forward to meeting with Mike and discussing the concerns,” his spokesman, Chris Schrimpf, said earlier this week.

“We would love to have the governor’s support and we hope we can earn it,” DeWine campaign spokesman Joshua Eck said.

However, we know what will happen: If DeWine gets Kasich’s support, it means Medicaid expansion stays in Ohio for the time being. If Kasich doesn’t endorse, it means DeWine is fairly solidly conservative and frankly doesn’t need Kasich’s support.

In July of 2017, a favorability poll showed that Kasich only had 57% favorability – 20th highest in the nation. So, it’s not like getting his support ensures Ohio will love DeWine.

I might also not be all that surprised if Kasich endorses Cordray so long as the latter vows to keep his policies going and DeWine doesn’t commit to it. Because Kasich is totally out to help make everyone love each other, and not screw over the party he thinks screwed him out of a presidential nomination he never deserved.

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