Trump ‘Never Asked' Ohio Gov. John Kasich to Be His VP
Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Jr., approached Kasich team's to offer the Ohio governor "the most powerful vice president in history," according to the New York Times
By Rajeev Dhir ••
Donald Trump said he never asked John Kasich to be his running mate after the Trump team reportedly reached out to the Ohio governor’s staff with the job offer.
According to a New York Times report, a Kasich senior adviser said it was Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who made the offer in May, a few weeks after Kasich suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination.
But after arriving in Cleveland Wednesday afternoon, the elder Trump distanced himself from the report, tweeting: “John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!"
John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!
The New York Times said Donald Jr. told the staffer that as “the most powerful vice president in history,” Kasich would be responsible for domestic and foreign policy, leaving Trump with the task of “making America great again.”
Trump said he would consider the Ohio governor for the vice presidency on May 4, the same day Kasich dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination.
Last week, Trump said it was Indiana Gov. Mike Pence that was his “first choice,” among a short-list that included former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
A Indiana State Police officer runs through a fountain with a small child in Public Square on July 21, 2016, in Cleveland, during the final day of the Republican convention.
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A demonstrators makes his way to downtown during a protest July 21, 2016, in Cleveland, during the final day of the Republican convention.
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Felicia Tweedy (left) and Trisha Bowler, delegates from California and Trump supporters, attend the RNC Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Protesters demonstrate against Donald Trump near the site of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland on the third day of the convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Police tackle a protestor that tried to burn an American Flag after a fight broke out between opponents outside the Quicken Loans Arena during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 20, 2016.
Terry Kaye of Cleveland stands in the Public Square in demonstrating his dislike of GOP nominee Donald Trump during the RNC Convention.
Delegates speak while waiting for the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A woman wears red, white, and blue false eyelashes during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 20, 2016.
A member of the Kansas Highway Patrol gives Elijah White, age 11 of Cleveland, $5 for candy before telling the boy to keep both for himself on July 19, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
An activists shouts as she is arrested by police during a protest outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 20, 2016.
A delegate from Texas arrives on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media.
Charlie Kirk (right), founder of Turning Point USA, denounces big government and socialist tendencies in the Public Square at the RNC Convention.
Protesters struggle with police after trying to burn an American Flag near the sight of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland on the third day of the convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A delegate wears buttons on a jacket during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 20, 2016.
Protesters struggle with police after trying to burn an American Flag near the sight of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in downtown Cleveland on the third day of the convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A gun rights activist stands in front of police lines during a rally outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 19, 2016.
An anarchist confronts police and others near the site of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland on the second day of the convention on July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A delegate wears a "Women 4 Trump" pin on an American flag themed cowboy hat before the start of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 20, 2016.
A woman holds up a flower as a group of religious extremists hold a protest near the site of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland on the second day of the convention on July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Florida Delegates Tina Harris and Nancy Riley arrive on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Two men openly carry weapons in downtown Cleveland on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. Many people have stayed away from downtown due to road closures and the fear of violence.
Protestors march during the End Poverty Now! rally downtown to RNC on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Levi Marolf, from Saginaw, Michigan, at the America First Unity Rally, during the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 18, 2016.
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Jeff Gunder, a member of the Bikers for Trump motorcycle group, attends a rally for Donald Trump on the first day of the RNC on July 18, 2016, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
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A protestor at the End Poverty Now! rally on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A Texas delegate arrives with his dog at the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. Protestors are staging demonstrations outside on the first day of the Republican National Convention.
Protesters gather during demonstration near the site of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Police ride down a street on the first day of the RNC on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Police stand around a group of conservative protesters on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland police officers detain a protester in Cleveland Public Square near the site of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Demonstrators chant during an anti-Donald Trump rally in Cleveland, Ohio, near the Quicken Loans Arena, site of the Republican National Convention July 18, 2016.
Stephen Colbert tapes a segment on the floor of the Republican National Convention for CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" at the Quicken Loans Arena July 17, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cleveland police officers block an intersection during a demonstration near the site of the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A lone member of a group supporting the carrying of weapons openly speaks to the media at what was supposed to be a march ahead of the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A man wearing a trump mask walks through downtown on July 17, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Demonstrators march through downtown on July 17, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
With 18 electoral votes, Ohio has been carried by every winning presidential candidate since 1964, which makes Ohio a key battleground. That makes Kasich’s support for the party’s nominee even more important.
Kasich is still refusing to endorse Trump. In an interview with NBC News Monday, he said Trump would "have to change everything that he says" for him to agree to speak at the convention.
"We can't be attacking Muslims and Hispanics, and trying to shut down trade, and not caring about the debt," Kasich told NBC News' Lester Holt. "Those are all problems for me."
Kasich said he didn't see eye-to-eye with the Republican Party's nominee.
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"I don't hold any personal animus towards Donald Trump," Kasich said. "We just are two companies that have different values, different directions, and different philosophies."
Kasich arrived in Cleveland Tuesday and avoided the convention altogether. Instead, he headlined a state party reception at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, about a mile from the Quicken Loans Arena.
"The message for me was never about rhetoric," Kasich told a crowd of about 2,000. "There's no way I would enter a race for president just to win an election."
During a delegation breakfast Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan urged Ohio delegates loyal to Kasich to put their support behind Trump.
Kasich’s refusal to back Trump and attend has angered top Trump staff and Republican faithful.
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"He is making a big mistake. He is looking at something that is not going to happen. He is hurting his state,” Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday. “He is embarrassing his state, frankly."
Manafort continued to dig into Kasich Monday, telling Bloomberg News: “Will John Kasich finally grow up? Maybe. If he does, we'll welcome him."
