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

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As governor, Kasich championed an anti-union bill that was repealed by voters, and signed many anti-abortion laws.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.