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Counter Points is written by WVXU Senior Political Analyst Howard Wilkinson. In it, he shares insights on political news on the local, state and national level that impacts the 2020 election. Counter Points is delivered once a week on Wednesdays and will cease publication soon after the November election is decided.

Former Ohio Gov. Kasich To Speak For Biden At Democratic National Convention

Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaking at The City Club of Cleveland, in Cleveland on Dec. 4, 2018.
Tony Dejak
/
AP
Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaking at The City Club of Cleveland, in Cleveland on Dec. 4, 2018.

Former Ohio Governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate John Kasich will be speaking at the upcoming Democratic National Convention for likely nominee Joe Biden. While Ohio Democrats are criticizing the choice, there are reasons they could benefit from Kasich's appearance.

As governor, Kasich championed an anti-union bill that was repealed by voters, and signed many anti-abortion laws. But Kasich has also been a vocal critic of Donald Trump ever since his unsuccessful presidential run in 2016.

University of Cincinnati political science professor David Niven said Kasich's appearance at the Democratic National Convention isn’t for Democrats.

“Well, he is meant to speak to that voter who might have cast a Republican ballot their entire life but be uncomfortable with Donald Trump," Niven says.

Niven points out that Democratic politician Zell Miller of Georgia spoke at the Republican National Convention for President George W. Bush in 2004. Niven also says there’s one thing that holds true in these cases.

“Once they’ve stepped to the podium in the other party’s convention, their career within their party is over,” he says.

Niven says the speech could be an attempt by Kasich to position himself for a cabinet post in a Biden administration.

Copyright 2020 WOSU 89.7 NPR News

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.