Current political climate frustrates Kasich

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. — Nearly a half-year removed from the Ohio governor's office, John Kasich continues to bring his talking points to new audiences.

The former two-term governor, and paid speaker, spoke to a crowd of a few thousand on Monday at Chautauqua Institution — a cultural and educational hub in western New York state — in opening the Institution’s week-two theme “Uncommon Ground: Communities Working Toward Solutions.”

Despite being a member of the GOP, Kasich remained bipartisan throughout his speech, often criticizing President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.

“I’ll be really direct about it

— I have no idea what the Republicans in the United States Senate are doing except waiting for the election,” he said. He went on to say that he “(didn’t) even recognize” the Republican Party.

While critical of his own party, Kasich also chastised congressional Democrats and the 24 Democratic presidential candidates, saying the party is moving so far left it may help reelect Trump. He argued the Kasich country at-large is primarily “center-right and center-left.”

However, the CNN political analyst stressed that the audience acknowledge and consider other points of view.

“We're at a point in this country where we're just fighting with one another about … politics. Now we’re at a point where we don’t want to bring (politics) up; we’re like walking on eggshells.”

Kasich reiterated his position on how the Trump administration treats migrant children at the border, which he called an “unspeakable disgrace” in a CNN op-ed Friday.

“Frankly, power doesn’t flow from the top down; power in America flows from the bottom up,” he said to the enthusiastic audience.

Kasich pointed to historical examples, such as the civil rights movement and then-president John F. Kennedy’s reluctance to take action on the issue; women’s suffrage; student protests against Vietnam; and modern movements, like survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting calling for gun control.

Drawing from his 30-year political career, Kasich cited his push for “common sense” gun regulations and a “red flag” law, which would have allowed family members or law enforcement to seek a court order to seize an individual’s guns if he or she poses a threat to themselves or others.

Kasich said — in part — the legislation failed during his tenure because he could not rally the support of the people. Republican Gov. Mike Dewine has said he will seek similar legislation.

When asked if he plans to run in 2020 to again oppose Trump for the GOP nomination, Kasich said “all (his) options are still on the table.”

“I don’t know what the future is going to bring, I have to see,” he said. “I’m not closing any doors on anything.”