On Monday night, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) declared during the Democratic National Convention that he would be voting for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden this fall over President Donald Trump.
“I’m a lifelong Republican, but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country,” Kasich said. “That’s why I’ve chosen to appear at this convention. In normal times, something like this would probably never happen, but these are not normal times.”
Kasich was not the only Republican to speak at the DNC and endorse Biden. Other lifelong Republicans leaders – such as former New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman – and ordinary citizens alike endorsed the former vice president in his bid for the office of the president.
Kasich’s appearance at the DNC has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, with Trump calling him a “loser” and Democrats believing that allowing him to speak at the DNC undermines their stances.
“The party should be focused on energizing Democratic voters rather than using their convention to reassure billionaires, corporate donors and Republican lobbyists that they won’t actually try to challenge the status quo,” said David Sirota, a former speechwriter for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
Kasich specifically reassured Republicans and independents that he believes Biden will not “turn sharp left and leave them behind.”
“I’m sure there are Republicans and independents who couldn’t imagine crossing over to support a Democrat. They fear Joe may turn sharp left and leave them behind. I don’t believe that. Because I know the measure of the man – reasonable, faithful, respectful,” said Kasich.
Kasich also emphasized Biden’s “decency” and the need for the nation to pull together.
When America chooses the right path and pulls together like we’ve done so many times before, we can dream big dreams and we can see the top of the mountain as a United States of America with a soul that is a beacon of freedom to the entire world,” Kasich said.
