Kasich for President in 2020? As an Independent??

Even though it’s only October of 2017, there have been rambles about who may be running against President Donald Trump.

Ohio’s Governor John Kasich seems open to the idea to run for president in 2020.

CNN is claiming that Kasich may run as an independent alongside democratic Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. However, their plans have only been discussed in casual conversation.

“The idea of a joint ticket has been discussed, but not at an organizational or planning level,” said an unnamed source to CNN at the end of August. “What they are trying to show the country is that honorable people can disagree, but you can still problem solve together. It happens in businesses and it happens in families. Why can’t it happen in Washington?”

Hickenlooper alluded that this wasn’t the case back in early August.

“I don’t think Kasich would ever do that. … I don’t think it’s in the cards. But I do like the idea of working with him in some context at some point,” said Hickenlooper to Politico.

Hickenlooper and Kasich have proven that democrats and republicans can work together on policy issues like healthcare and immigration.

The unnamed source believes in the next few years you will see more of the governors teaming up.

“The healthcare partnership — which may expand into immigration and economic policies, the sources said — is part of Kasich’s effort to keep his name in national political conversations ahead of 2020. The Ohio governor, who is 65, is term-limited after his second term ends in 2018,” writes USA Today.

“Also part of Kasich’s efforts: near-weekly appearances on national politics shows, regular statements on Twitter disagreeing with Trump’s policies and a book that opposes Trump’s style and philosophies. He and Hickenlooper are discussing a possible television show or podcast, the people familiar with the conversations said.” 

“Watch on the policy front as they expand beyond healthcare and also include other governors into the coalition,” said the source to CNN.  

Kasich has been highly critical of Trump and his own Republican party as of late. He has even alluded to potentially leaving the GOP.

“If the party can’t be fixed, Jake, then I’m not going to be able to support the party. Period. That’s the end of it,” said Kasich to CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday in response to GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore’s recent social conservatism.  

“The only plans Governor Kasich has right now is to speak out and continue to lead on issues such as healthcare,” said John Weaver, a political strategist for Kasich. “There are no plans about 2020 or 2080 or any other year… When you have a weak president  … people start speculating about how to fill that vacuum.” 

Weaver also often retweets posts where people are encouraging Kasich to run for president.

Author’s note: Let’s face it, if Kasich runs as an independent in 2020, he really has no shot at winning the presidency. However, he does have a reasonable conservative following and could certainly take votes away from Trump. But only time will tell who will be running against our current president in 2020.