Theory on Kasich . . .

Fingon

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I realize this isn't an original theory, but I think it has more plausibility than many are assuming.

Theory: Kasich is staying in the GOP race because he's reached a deal with Trump to be his VP if Trump wins the nomination. While this might sound ludicrous on its surface, put yourself in Kasich's shoes and consider the likelihood of a President Trump facing some kind of scandal, impeachment, indictment, international incident, or act of violence very early on in his Presidency. Ask yourself what VP in history would have ever been in a 'one heartbeat away' situation more tenuous than being second in command to Donald Trump?

Strategically, it benefits Trump in a number of ways, the most obvious being Kasich's appeal to sane Republicans and other global stakeholders who fear Trump as a loose candidate. When Trump has to shift into general election mode, he will need help to sell people hard on the dubious notion that he's not completely deranged and could actually govern. In a more proximate sense, it also presents Trump with a viable nomination path he currently lacks. Assuming no one goes into Cleveland with a majority, the second ballot comes down to a Trump vs. Cruz showdown that most people now assume that Trump will probably lose once delegates become unbound. While Cruz is doing a good job of lobbying those potential delegates for now, a Kasich VP selection could deliver all (or most) of Kasich's delegates to Trump that would never have otherwise considered doing so. Within the context of the first part of my theory, they could now do so with a reasonable expectation that supporting a Trump-Kasich ticket actually presents a higher than average likelihood of elevating their man to the Presidency. Choosing Kasich could also assuage the fears of many current Trump delegates and prevent them from bailing for Cruz, who is almost universally loathed by his own party leadership and is also so obviously a closeted homosexual. :) (kidding about the last part. maybe. or not? if you had to trust Cruz to bang your wife for some reason, could you really count on him? honestly?)

Thoughts?
 

PriddyBoy

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I've thought since early on that Kasich might play the role of King Maker one way or the other. Nothing would surprise me at this point, maybe a Trump/Cruz ticket?

Ask yourself what VP in history would have ever been in a 'one heartbeat away' situation more tenuous than being second in command to Donald Trump?
Apples to oranges perhaps, but only tenuous heatbeat situation that comes to mind is Nelson Rockefeller almost being an unelected successor (twice) to an unelected President.
 

mneilmont

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I've thought since early on that Kasich might play the role of King Maker one way or the other. Nothing would surprise me at this point, maybe a Trump/Cruz ticket?


Apples to oranges perhaps, but only tenuous heatbeat situation that comes to mind is Nelson Rockefeller almost being an unelected successor (twice) to an unelected President.
Trump - Pres
Kasich - VP
Cruz - SCOTUS

This would stop of this wrangling crap and give everyone what they could be very successful at. Ohio would be for Kasich, and that is definite win. Trump says he wants someone on the inside, and Kasich definitely fits that without the stink of recent membership. Cruz would probably fill the need for a conservative Justice.

That only leaves Hillary for Trump to speak harshly of, and that wouldn't disturb conservatives and independents. What could go wrong. A united front to work to keep congress in place. Probably would be healthy to have Senate count less than veto-proof.

First action would be a seat for Condi and a new occupation for Reince.

Pleasant thoughts and get a good nap tonight.
 

bamaEER

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I realize this isn't an original theory, but I think it has more plausibility than many are assuming.

Theory: Kasich is staying in the GOP race because he's reached a deal with Trump to be his VP if Trump wins the nomination. While this might sound ludicrous on its surface, put yourself in Kasich's shoes and consider the likelihood of a President Trump facing some kind of scandal, impeachment, indictment, international incident, or act of violence very early on in his Presidency. Ask yourself what VP in history would have ever been in a 'one heartbeat away' situation more tenuous than being second in command to Donald Trump?

Strategically, it benefits Trump in a number of ways, the most obvious being Kasich's appeal to sane Republicans and other global stakeholders who fear Trump as a loose candidate. When Trump has to shift into general election mode, he will need help to sell people hard on the dubious notion that he's not completely deranged and could actually govern. In a more proximate sense, it also presents Trump with a viable nomination path he currently lacks. Assuming no one goes into Cleveland with a majority, the second ballot comes down to a Trump vs. Cruz showdown that most people now assume that Trump will probably lose once delegates become unbound. While Cruz is doing a good job of lobbying those potential delegates for now, a Kasich VP selection could deliver all (or most) of Kasich's delegates to Trump that would never have otherwise considered doing so. Within the context of the first part of my theory, they could now do so with a reasonable expectation that supporting a Trump-Kasich ticket actually presents a higher than average likelihood of elevating their man to the Presidency. Choosing Kasich could also assuage the fears of many current Trump delegates and prevent them from bailing for Cruz, who is almost universally loathed by his own party leadership and is also so obviously a closeted homosexual. :) (kidding about the last part. maybe. or not? if you had to trust Cruz to bang your wife for some reason, could you really count on him? honestly?)

Thoughts?
I thought that early on but I just don't see how a level headed guy like Kasich would want to be anywhere near Trump's admin. Career killer.
 

WVUBRU

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I thought that early on but I just don't see how a level headed guy like Kasich would want to be anywhere near Trump's admin. Career killer.
Correct. No way Kasich will be part of a run by Trump. Cruz is a low belly scum so nothing would surprise me of anything he might do. But how in the heck would Trump and Cruz reconcile and still think they could attract independents?
 

Mdeer

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I realize this isn't an original theory, but I think it has more plausibility than many are assuming.

Theory: Kasich is staying in the GOP race because he's reached a deal with Trump to be his VP if Trump wins the nomination. While this might sound ludicrous on its surface, put yourself in Kasich's shoes and consider the likelihood of a President Trump facing some kind of scandal, impeachment, indictment, international incident, or act of violence very early on in his Presidency. Ask yourself what VP in history would have ever been in a 'one heartbeat away' situation more tenuous than being second in command to Donald Trump?

Strategically, it benefits Trump in a number of ways, the most obvious being Kasich's appeal to sane Republicans and other global stakeholders who fear Trump as a loose candidate. When Trump has to shift into general election mode, he will need help to sell people hard on the dubious notion that he's not completely deranged and could actually govern. In a more proximate sense, it also presents Trump with a viable nomination path he currently lacks. Assuming no one goes into Cleveland with a majority, the second ballot comes down to a Trump vs. Cruz showdown that most people now assume that Trump will probably lose once delegates become unbound. While Cruz is doing a good job of lobbying those potential delegates for now, a Kasich VP selection could deliver all (or most) of Kasich's delegates to Trump that would never have otherwise considered doing so. Within the context of the first part of my theory, they could now do so with a reasonable expectation that supporting a Trump-Kasich ticket actually presents a higher than average likelihood of elevating their man to the Presidency. Choosing Kasich could also assuage the fears of many current Trump delegates and prevent them from bailing for Cruz, who is almost universally loathed by his own party leadership and is also so obviously a closeted homosexual. :) (kidding about the last part. maybe. or not? if you had to trust Cruz to bang your wife for some reason, could you really count on him? honestly?)

Thoughts?
Don't see kasich supporting trump . At all
 

Fingon

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I think the relatively high likelihood of invoking Presidential succession might change the math a bit on Kasich's part. Just my opinion. I'm not making any predictions, and maybe I'm overestimating the odds. Or maybe all those advantages are moot since Trump would be such a massive underdog in the general election.
 

Mdeer

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I think the relatively high likelihood of invoking Presidential succession might change the math a bit on Kasich's part. Just my opinion. I'm not making any predictions, and maybe I'm overestimating the odds. Or maybe all those advantages are moot since Trump would be such a massive underdog in the general election.
Jumping on the trump train will tarnish anyone

I think you've been watching too much house of cards lol
 

TarHeelEer

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I think the relatively high likelihood of invoking Presidential succession might change the math a bit on Kasich's part. Just my opinion. I'm not making any predictions, and maybe I'm overestimating the odds. Or maybe all those advantages are moot since Trump would be such a massive underdog in the general election.

This whole thread is crazy talk. Kasich is still in it to keep Trump from getting to 1,273. Once at the convention, anything will go.
 

bamaEER

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This whole thread is crazy talk. Kasich is still in it to keep Trump from getting to 1,273. Once at the convention, anything will go.
It does illustrate a very significant issue in Trump's future...VP selection. He has to pick someone and I just don't see many people jumping at it, certainly none of the good ones. His personality, his lack of a cohesive platform other than kneejerk position statements, and his tendency to burn bridges with established politicians in his way will make this a tough process for him.
 

bamaEER

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Correct. No way Kasich will be part of a run by Trump. Cruz is a low belly scum so nothing would surprise me of anything he might do. But how in the heck would Trump and Cruz reconcile and still think they could attract independents?
I can definitely see Cruz run with him, especially since Cruz is right on his tail and certainly would position him perfectly for the next election.

Of course, this would shitcan their chance at the independent vote and Hillary saunters into the oval office.
 

DvlDog4WVU

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I realize this isn't an original theory, but I think it has more plausibility than many are assuming.

Theory: Kasich is staying in the GOP race because he's reached a deal with Trump to be his VP if Trump wins the nomination. While this might sound ludicrous on its surface, put yourself in Kasich's shoes and consider the likelihood of a President Trump facing some kind of scandal, impeachment, indictment, international incident, or act of violence very early on in his Presidency. Ask yourself what VP in history would have ever been in a 'one heartbeat away' situation more tenuous than being second in command to Donald Trump?

Strategically, it benefits Trump in a number of ways, the most obvious being Kasich's appeal to sane Republicans and other global stakeholders who fear Trump as a loose candidate. When Trump has to shift into general election mode, he will need help to sell people hard on the dubious notion that he's not completely deranged and could actually govern. In a more proximate sense, it also presents Trump with a viable nomination path he currently lacks. Assuming no one goes into Cleveland with a majority, the second ballot comes down to a Trump vs. Cruz showdown that most people now assume that Trump will probably lose once delegates become unbound. While Cruz is doing a good job of lobbying those potential delegates for now, a Kasich VP selection could deliver all (or most) of Kasich's delegates to Trump that would never have otherwise considered doing so. Within the context of the first part of my theory, they could now do so with a reasonable expectation that supporting a Trump-Kasich ticket actually presents a higher than average likelihood of elevating their man to the Presidency. Choosing Kasich could also assuage the fears of many current Trump delegates and prevent them from bailing for Cruz, who is almost universally loathed by his own party leadership and is also so obviously a closeted homosexual. :) (kidding about the last part. maybe. or not? if you had to trust Cruz to bang your wife for some reason, could you really count on him? honestly?)

Thoughts?
I think Kasich is banking on the convention and has a better than average chance of taking the nomination on the later ballots. He'll take someone like Rubio as VP and it's all over but the crying come election time. They'll grab the college and most likely the popular vote.
 

WVUCOOPER

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I think Kasich is banking on the convention and has a better than average chance of taking the nomination on the later ballots. He'll take someone like Rubio as VP and it's all over but the crying come election time. They'll grab the college and most likely the popular vote.
I think that's what Kasich thinks, but I think he's delusional. We're going to nominate the most un-electable candidate in the history of the Electoral College. Either Trump or Cruz.
 

Fingon

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I think Kasich is banking on the convention and has a better than average chance of taking the nomination on the later ballots. He'll take someone like Rubio as VP and it's all over but the crying come election time. They'll grab the college and most likely the popular vote.

Well I definitely disagree about your last statement. Yes a Kasich-Rubio ticket would be well positioned for a toe-to-toe matchup with Hillary. But there is no scenario that sets up a 'clean' matchup. You are ignoring what Trump and his voters would do, were he to not win the nomination even though he gets the most votes. If Trump gets the perceived hose job at the convention, he'll either run as a third party, or make a big obnoxious show of walking out on the GOP convention, taking his loyal followers with him. Any gains and new voters that Trump might have brought to the party (real or perceived) would sit it out, IMO. Adding the loyal Cruz voters to this mix only makes things worse as well-religious conservatives will feel completely sold out, and what used to be a winning coalition now becomes a bitterly divided and disenfranchised mob.

A third party run would definitely doom the GOP and Trump and Cruz getting passed over could be equally disastrous, though the galvanizing force of anti-Hillary Clinton sentiment shouldn't be underestimated either.

Personally, I think Cruz emerges as the nominee. We'll see.
 
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Fingon

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I think that's what Kasich thinks, but I think he's delusional. We're going to nominate the most un-electable candidate in the history of the Electoral College. Either Trump or Cruz.

True dat. It's hard to remember a recent election that was more clearly winnable for the GOP. Hillary's negatives are high. But Hurricane Trump and the resulting rush to Cruz is probably going to derail all of it.
 

Mntneer

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What if.... and it's a wild what if.

Trump sees the writing on the wall that he would lose the general election, and decides to backout at the convention and throw all his support behind Kasich.

:pray:
 

Fingon

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What if.... and it's a wild what if.

Trump sees the writing on the wall that he would lose the general election, and decides to backout at the convention and throw all his support behind Kasich.

:pray:
Trump's supporters would have to be the dumbest people on planet earth to fall for a stunt like that. In other words, yeah, that just might work.
 

DvlDog4WVU

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I think that's what Kasich thinks, but I think he's delusional. We're going to nominate the most un-electable candidate in the history of the Electoral College. Either Trump or Cruz.
I wouldn't stop at Kasich. I think most anyone with intelligence better than eating boogers, left of crazy religious, and right of accepting someone under a felony investigation would be begging for that option. I certainly fit in that sane rational 70% middle.
 

mneilmont

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What if.... and it's a wild what if.

Trump sees the writing on the wall that he would lose the general election, and decides to backout at the convention and throw all his support behind Kasich.

:pray:
Do you really think Kasich would be his choice to support? I think he may consider one of the earlier guys to drop out over Kasich. Kasich is a lock on VP, IMO.

I see no way for Trump to drop out before first vote in Cleveland. He has got to test the uncommitted.
 

Mntneer

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Do you really think Kasich would be his choice to support? I think he may consider one of the earlier guys to drop out over Kasich. Kasich is a lock on VP, IMO.

I see no way for Trump to drop out before first vote in Cleveland. He has got to test the uncommitted.

Kasich is the clear choice to beat Hillary. So if Trump wants to save face (by not losing in the the general election) and wants to ensure Hillary doesn't win, he'd back the best horse in the race.
 

lenny4wvu

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I can definitely see Cruz run with him, especially since Cruz is right on his tail and certainly would position him perfectly for the next election.

Of course, this would shitcan their chance at the independent vote and Hillary saunters into the oval office.
The only "sauntering " hiLiarry Clinton is gonna do,is off to prison! !
 

ThatNehlenFeelin

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Kasich is staying in the race because it gives him an excuse to tour the country and sample the food. Did you see the spread he ordered in NYC?
 

mule_eer

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Well I definitely disagree about your last statement. Yes a Kasich-Rubio ticket would be well positioned for a toe-to-toe matchup with Hillary. But there is no scenario that sets up a 'clean' matchup. You are ignoring what Trump and his voters would do, were he to not win the nomination even though he gets the most votes. If Trump gets the perceived hose job at the convention, he'll either run as a third party, or make a big obnoxious show of walking out on the GOP convention, taking his loyal followers with him. Any gains and new voters that Trump might have brought to the party (real or perceived) would sit it out, IMO. Adding the loyal Cruz voters to this mix only makes things worse as well-religious conservatives will feel completely sold out, and what used to be a winning coalition now becomes a bitterly divided and disenfranchised mob.

A third party run would definitely doom the GOP and Trump and Cruz getting passed over could be equally disastrous, though the galvanizing force of anti-Hillary Clinton sentiment shouldn't be underestimated either.

Personally, I think Cruz emerges as the nominee. We'll see.
If you select a ticket that has a prayer of drawing votes from independents and some dems, you don't have to draw the votes of the folks that Trump has drawn into the process. It's a winnable situation. It's not Hillary is the overwhelming favorite of the registered democrats anyway.

I think I would stay away from Rubio as VP. The reason to select him would be the votes he could add to the ticket, and he couldn't deliver his home state to his own bid. Why would that change between now and November? The current gov of SC, Nikki Haley, would be on the short list.

I'll also say that if Trump gets the nomination, he's going to select someone like Christie or Palin as his running mate.
 

bamaEER

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If you select a ticket that has a prayer of drawing votes from independents and some dems, you don't have to draw the votes of the folks that Trump has drawn into the process. It's a winnable situation. It's not Hillary is the overwhelming favorite of the registered democrats anyway.

I think I would stay away from Rubio as VP. The reason to select him would be the votes he could add to the ticket, and he couldn't deliver his home state to his own bid. Why would that change between now and November? The current gov of SC, Nikki Haley, would be on the short list.

I'll also say that if Trump gets the nomination, he's going to select someone like Christie or Palin as his running mate.
Dear god, not another round of Palin. That voice....fingernails...chalk board.
 

mule_eer

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Dear god, not another round of Palin. That voice....fingernails...chalk board.
I'm not endorsing it, only following his trend lines. I think Christie is going to be his first choice, but I wouldn't rule out Palin. I'll go ahead and say that Lindsey Graham is out of the running though.
 

bamaEER

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I'm not endorsing it, only following his trend lines. I think Christie is going to be his first choice, but I wouldn't rule out Palin. I'll go ahead and say that Lindsey Graham is out of the running though.
Trump/Palin....Hell Hillary might do an electoral shutout with that one...Texas and all.
 

COOL MAN

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I've been thinking Trump may choose Ivanka for VP; unfortunately, I'm not altogether sure that's a joke. Meanwhile, I'm on record previously as saying Trump won't have anything to do with Kasich, and I'm standing by that assessment.......for now, at least :victory:
 

mneilmont

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Kasich is the clear choice to beat Hillary. So if Trump wants to save face (by not losing in the the general election) and wants to ensure Hillary doesn't win, he'd back the best horse in the race.
How sure are you that Trump is opposed to Hillary if he vacates the chase? 50:50?
 

COOL MAN

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I'm not endorsing it, only following his trend lines. I think Christie is going to be his first choice, but I wouldn't rule out Palin. I'll go ahead and say that Lindsey Graham is out of the running though.

I suppose Christie could help him with the base......at least in the Northeast......but I don't see what he does for the ticket south of the Mason Dixon line (or west of the PA/Ohio border). Still, he probably makes as much sense as anyone else I could envision at this point.

OTOH, if Trump picks Palin, it confirms the notion his entire campaign has been solely about keep the morning shows......and every other news/opinion program......talking about him rather than any sincere interest he'd have in actually running the country. Even with his gargantuan ego, I doubt he would allow the public to savage him over this kind of choice.

Meanwhile, I'm still not sure I'm joking when I say he could well consider picking Ivanka......
 

mneilmont

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I suppose Christie could help him with the base......at least in the Northeast......but I don't see what he does for the ticket south of the Mason Dixon line (or west of the PA/Ohio border). Still, he probably makes as much sense as anyone else I could envision at this point.

OTOH, if Trump picks Palin, it confirms the notion his entire campaign has been solely about keep the morning shows......and every other news/opinion program......talking about him rather than any sincere interest he'd have in actually running the country. Even with his gargantuan ego, I doubt he would allow the public to savage him over this kind of choice.

Meanwhile, I'm still not sure I'm joking when I say he could well consider picking Ivanka......
Kasich is the only one that helps vote count. Also been seeing some good stuff about the legislator, pilot lady in western state. Trump has got to stimulate the military connection that he has developed. That's a hell of a voting block that is extremely angry.