Kasich dissses Trump

Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich has done us proud with his decision not to address the Republican National Convention that starts July 18 in Cleveland. The “us” are the Kasich supporters who were heartened when he entered the race for the Republican nomination for president.

The two-term governor came on the scene when the Grand Old Party was in dire need of an “adult” to raise the level of political discourse on the campaign trail.

Kasich was successful in that regard. Unfortunately, Republican primary voters weren’t in any mood to listen to intelligent, well thought-out positions on the pressing issues of the day.

Indeed, the voters – Republicans, Democratic crossovers and independents – rejected 16 candidates for the party nomination for president.

In the end, political bluster, underscored by racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments, won the day – in the person of Donald Trump, the billionaire New York City businessman.

Trump, who also hosted the highly rated “The Apprentice” reality TV show, won over 13 million-plus voters in primaries and caucuses by tossing out sound bites built around the theme of his campaign: Make America Great Again.

Trump ran as the anti-establishment candidate – even though as a businessman he has given millions of dollars to Republican and Democratic officeholders and candidates. The political novice also swayed blue-collar workers with his promise to bring back the jobs, including those in the manufacturing sector, that American corporations have shipped abroad.

POWERFUL MESSAGE

It was a powerful message that Kasich and the other GOP hopefuls were unable to overcome. In fact, the primary voters did not care that Trump, if elected president, will be hard-pressed to deliver on many of his promises.

During the campaign, Ohio’s governor sought to distance himself from Trump’s bombastic rhetoric.

“It takes our hearts to change America,” Kasich said at one point. “We never went negative because we have more good to sell than to spend our time being critical of somebody else.”

He vowed to “reshine America, to restore the spirit of America and to leave no one behind.” And he talked about the need for the American people to slow down and connect with family, friends, neighbors and even strangers.

Those comments stood in stark contrast to Trump’s appeal to the lowest common political denominator.

Therefore, those of “us” who praised Kasich for raising the level of discourse on the campaign trail were on tenterhooks with regard to his participation in the Republican National Convention.

As the Republican governor of the state hosting the GOP convention, Kasich would have been expected to formally welcome the delegates and the thousands of others on hand to participate in the four-day extravaganza.

But, last week, during a visit to Cleveland, the governor did “us” proud when he said he would not address the delegates at the convention.

Kasich will be in Cleveland on July 17 to check on security preparations and plans to leave the morning of July 21.

Donald Trump is expected to accept the GOP nomination the evening of July 21.

According to Associated Press Writer Mark Gillispie, the governor took a swipe at Trump even though he did not refer to him by name.

He criticized the presumptive GOP nominee for the incendiary comments that are the hallmark of his campaign, the wire service reported.

“What I’m concerned about is dividing people,” Kasich said. “I don’t like attacks on the basis of religion. I basically believe that trade is good for the world and for us. I do believe we’ve got to spend time fixing our economic problems, including entitlements. But I don’t think we should be scapegoating or blaming someone else for the challenges we have.”

As for the pledge he and other candidates took to support the party’s presidential nominee, the governor showed little remorse for going back on his word.

“You have to examine your conscience about the fact that, when you make a commitment, sometimes circumstances dramatically change and you have to reassess,” he said.

Kasich wouldn’t even give the Associated Press a straight answer when he was asked if he planned to vote for Trump.

“I’ve not endorsed him,” Kasich said. “If I haven’t endorsed him, then I guess that leaves everything up in the air, doesn’t it?”

Yes, it does – and rightfully so.

Kasich won the Republican primary in Ohio and received all 66 delegates. He told the Associated Press that he would not lead the delegates in an anti-Trump revolt because “I’m not interested in trying to disrupt any of the proceedings.”

But Kasich isn’t the only prominent Republican officeholder who intends to stay away from the convention. There are members of Congress and governors who have decided to stay away.

In fact, Trump has had trouble filling the speaking slots with Republicans of national political stature. There have been reports that prospects include former Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and longtime boxing promoter Don King.

“I’m going to be involved, definitely,” said King, who lives in Cleveland and is a passionate supporter of the presumptive Republican nominee. “He’s my man. I love him. He’s going to be the next president.”

It doesn’t matter how many celebrities Trump is able to attract to the convention. The absence of two very prominent Republicans will make headlines.

Neither former President George H.W. Bush, nor his son, former President George W. Bush, will be in Cleveland for the convention. Also staying away is the 2012 Republican nominee for president, Mitt Romney.

Donald Trump has said the convention will be like no other. He’s right. It won’t be about the Republican Party or its platform. It will be about Trump, only.