If there were a way to become a nominee for president by winning one state primary and placing second in another, John Kasich would have a very solid shot at becoming the Republican 2016 nominee.
As Kasich likes to say, no one gave him a chance when he first announced his candidacy. And after posting an 0-23 record thus far, it appears the pundits’ pessimism was well-founded.
But that isn’t blunting Kasich’s self-confidence. He told CBS his campaign has “exceeded expectations.” And after last night’s third-place finish in Michigan, Kasich suggested it’s now a three man race (having apparently dispatched Rubio).
But many Republicans worry his continued presence makes the job of defeating Donald Trump more difficult.
“Only until there becomes one mainstream alternative to Donald Trump is there any chance for Trump to get knocked off by people whose beliefs they share,” CBS John Dickerson told Kasich. ”So why aren’t you just continuing to split the vote with Marco Rubio?”
Kasich replied he’s just as entitled to remain in the race as Rubio — since “I finished second in New Hampshire.”
When CNN’s Michael Smerconish asked if he would leave the race were it “the only way to deny Donald Trump the nomination,” Kasich said, no, “I would never believe I am not going to be the nominee.”
When Jim Acosta asked about conservatives’ calls for him to leave the race, Kasich laughed, “I think it’s funny, I think it’s ridiculous.”
“People want to consolidate,” Kasich said. ”They ought to consolidate my way.”
At other times Kasich has been more candid. Recently a town-hall participant told the Ohio governor he supports his candidacy but doesn’t understand how he’ll win if he refuses to attack his competitors; Kasich responded, “I’m not sure if my purpose is to be president.”
Yet his campaign carries on.