#John Kasich in DNC speech says ‘respectful’ Joe Biden won’t ‘turn sharp Left’

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John Kasich speaking at the 2020 DNC.
Democratic National Convention/POOL via REUTERS

Standing at an actual crossroads, Republican former Gov. John Kasich of Ohio on Monday endorsed Democrat Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention, saying he is “respectful” and won’t “turn sharp Left.”

Kasich, who lost to President Trump in the 2016 GOP primary, said in a recorded message that “we’re being taken down the wrong road by a president who is pitted one against the other. He’s unlike all of our best leaders before him who work to unite us.”

“Many of us can imagine four more years going down this path,” said Kasich, who left office last year. He sought to shield Biden, 77, from Trump’s attack that he’s in mental declined and likely to be “a puppet” of more left-wing advisers.

Kasich, who posed for his speech before an unsubtle split roadway, touted Biden’s “wisdom and his decency.”

“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.,” Kasich said, adding: “He’s reasonable, faithful, respectful, and you know, no one pushes Joe around.”

During the 2016 primaries, Trump memorably mocked his competition. He singled out Kasich for his “disgusting” habit of eating large mouthfuls of food on camera.

Another former Republican governor, Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, also endorsed Biden on the first night of the DNC, as did former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who was a close adviser to Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).

Former Staten Island Republican Rep. Susan Molinari said in a video that “I’ve known Donald Trump for most of my political career — so disappointing and lately so disturbing.”

Molinari added: “I’ve also gotten to know and work with Joe Biden on issues related to women that are so important to all of us… He’s a really good man. And he’s exactly what this nation needs at this time.”