Even though many in his own party are questioning how his candidacy can be seen as viable after only winning one primary, John Kasich made it clear over the weekend that you don’t ask him that question.
During a huddle with the media on Saturday, Demetri Sevanstopulo of The Financial Times asked GOP hopeful about his chances to win the nomination given he’s only managed to win his home state. What followed was a terse exchange between the two as a clearly agitated Kasich didn’t seem to appreciate being reminded of his single win.
John Kasich responds angrily to @DimiSevastopulo's question on winning only 1 state in Republican race pic.twitter.com/MWAZbTrP6D
— Ben Marino (@benmarinojourno) April 18, 2016
Undoubtedly the rigors of long campaign could be straining the Ohio governor. But in defense of Mr. Sevanstopulo, Kasich is mathematically eliminated already. Even if he won 100% of the remaining delegates available (which of course he won’t) he still wouldn’t earn enough pledged delegates to win the nomination. So the question is clearly in bounds and one Kasich should expect to have to continue to answer.
Sevanstopulo, who is the Washington Bureau Chief for The Financial Times, has handled himself with the utmost professionalism and grace. Rather than use the power of the pen to write a fair but scathing review of his encounter with Kasich, he’s letting the video and the reaction of others do the talking.
Moreover, this issue of Kasich staying in the race has been brought up by the most GOP-friendly members of the media. Sean Hannity, of Fox News, asked the same question about Kasich to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in mid-March.
“Kasich mathematically has no chance to get to 1237. You are the chairman of the party…all he is doing is preventing anybody from getting the the magic number. Do you think that good for the party?”
Naturally, the face of the Republican establishment gave an allusive response that came no one close to answer the question. What he did clearly imply was that a contested convention is likely and not necessarily a bad thing.
This is what John Kasich is counting on. He need gridlock at the convention when there is no clear nominee. Then the career politician plans to work the back room to get his own candidacy elevated.
Does it matter he’s received no where near the number of votes that Donald Trump or Ted Cruz had?
Of course not. Just don’t ask him about it.
Featured image screengrab via Twitter
