National Post (National Edition)
KASICH PLANNING RUN FOR 2020: CNN
WASHINGTON • John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, is reportedly considering leading a crossparty, “unity” ticket against Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Under the plan, Kasich — who lost the race for the Republican nomination to Trump last year — would have John Hickenlooper, the Democrat governor of Colorado, as his running mate.
Discussions are at an early stage and no commitment had been made, CNN reported.
Kasich and Hickenlooper have recently been working together on a plan to stabilize health insurance markets amid uncertainty over the future of so-called Obamacare, and on proposals relating to job creation and immigration. John Weaver, an adviser to Kasich, said the two governors had “an outstanding working relationship.”
A source told CNN: “What they are trying to show the country is that honourable 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?”
Neither of the two governors have so far publicly commented.
Just seven months into his presidency, Trump has already held several re-election campaign events.
Earlier this month Mike Pence, the vice-president, denied a report that he was preparing for a presidential run himself in 2020, calling the suggestion “disgraceful and offensive.”
With Trump suffering low approval ratings, it emerged Friday that Gary Cohn, his chief economic adviser, had seriously considered resigning.
Cohn publicly attacked comments the president made in the wake of violence at a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Va., two weeks ago, when Trump was widely criticized for not condemning white nationalists strongly enough.
Cohn, who is Jewish, went as far as drafting a resignation letter and met privately with Trump, according to reports. He then decided to stay, telling the Financial Times: “As a Jewish American, I will not allow neo-Nazis ranting 'Jews will not replace us' to cause this Jew to leave his job.”