Ohio Gov. John Kasich is reportedly considering a presidential run for 2020, at least that's what it sounds like judging by his recent conversation with New York Magazine.
"There has to be a fundamental change, in my opinion, with all of us," Kasich said. "I’m willing to be part of that. I want my voice to be out there. I want it very, very much.”
When Kasich ran for president in the 2016 presidential election, his sole win came in the Ohio primary. The media had a field day when the governor held a victory party - balloons and all - that felt like he had won the entire contest.
Nevertheless, he is seriously considering giving it another go, according to NY Mag.
He said he would represent a different viewpoint, insisting he wants to restore “basic principles of caring, of love, of compassion, of connectedness.”
“There has to be a fundamental change, in my opinion, with all of us. I’m willing to be part of that. I want my voice to be out there. I want it very, very much,” he said.
The magazine notes that it seems as if Kasich "never stopped" running against Trump. He is still in constant communication with Republican strategist John Weaver, who ran his 2015 primary campaign, and the governor has often contradicted the president's policies. For instance, in August, Kasich and Colorado's Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper released a health insurance plan that would preserve key parts of Obamacare. Additionally, Kasich criticized his fellow Republicans for defending Trump's health care reform push because it would negatively impact families.
"Do they understand the impact this has on families?" he said earlier this month.
It sure sounds like he's shoring up for a run against the president.
As for Donald Trump, Jr., he finds it hilarious.
LOL ?????????????? https://t.co/li2EMoreBd
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 29, 2017
The governor, whose final term ends in 2018, may run as a third party candidate. Should Kasich pursue an Independent run, however, he may want to shield his eyes from a NY Mag statistic that was not so promising.
"The last time an Independent won a presidential race that included an incumbent was never."