We haven’t talked much about John Kasich on these pages. Sorry if you’re a fan, but even at this late date, he has only won one state, and has fewer delegates than Marco Rubio.
He did make a little news this week, saying that he thinks gay people were probably born that way, according to Breitbart. Kasich was confronted in San Francisco, by a gay man, named Kelly Bryan.
“Do you believe that some people are born gay?” asked Kelly Bryan. “I’m a 62-year-old gay man who came out to both of my parents at 19.” Bryan added, “And I’ve been gay for 45, over 40 years. Gay people are human beings and not a lifestyle choice. Please respond without prayer being an answer.”
Something no one seems to have commented on was that Bryan seems to be saying he was not gay in his childhood and teens. Regardless, Kasich first tried with “prayer being an answer,” but then faced the issue directly:
“But I think we should just try to, like, take a chill pill, relax, and try to get along with one another a little bit better instead of trying to write some law to solve a problem that doesn’t frankly exist in big enough numbers to justify more lawmaking.”
“Republicans don’t believe in marriage equality, it’s your platform,” Bryan responded.
“Well, is it?” Kasich asked.
“Yes,” Brian answered.
“I haven’t read that thing lately,” Kasich said, then Brian told him, “you really should know what you’re doing.”
“Well, no, they don’t tell me what to do by the platform,” Kasich rebuffed. “The Republican Party is my vehicle and not my master, okay? I have a right to define the Republican Party, too, okay?” He went on to mention that he believes in “traditional marriage” but also attended the gay wedding of a friend.
When Bryan challenged him again on if people are born gay, Kasich first tried to dodge an answer. “I’m not gonna get into all the analysis of this or that, I’m not gonna do that,” he said. As the moderator tried to move the conversation along to the next question, Kasich bounced back. “You know, sir, probably. I mean, I don’t, I don’t know how it all works, okay? I mean, look. Are they? You know, probability they are. Okay?”
If you’re interested in some of his other policies, OnTheIssues.org lists all the candidates’ policies. Here are a few from that site that stand out:
On abortion, Kasich believes in allowing “reasonable exceptions.” And he’d cut off funding for Planned Parenthood—but thinks a federal shutdown is “ineffective” in doing so.
On the economy, he says we should “lift everybody and build a stronger America,” is against ethanol and other corporate subsidies, and thinks we should have a balanced budget amendment.
On civil rights, he says we should, “pray for customers with whom you disagree, but sell to them,” wants to end racial profiling, and affirmative action is ok, but not with quotas.
On finance, people should never lose their bank deposits, and thinks there should be no income taxes on small businesses up to $2 million.
On crime, he believes in capital punishment, and believes that there should be more community policing, so people can see and better understand law enforcement officers.
On education, he likes the ideas in Common Core, but not the program. While not overly pushy about religion, he does feel that bible stories are historical fact, and thinks we should teach “character” in schools.
On energy, he is pro-fracking, but wants balanced use of green energy and low-cost energy. He believes climate change is a real issue, but the extent is unproven.
On the environment, he wants to strengthen Clean Water Act, and increase federal grazing fees. He does not believe the environment and economy are at odds.
On families and children, he believes we should put pimps in jail and treat prostitutes as victims. He wants to expand day-care and remove subsidy restrictions. And he does feel that entertainment should not sabotage American culture.
On foreign policy, he feels that America should not be “the world’s police,” but he thinks Syria’s Assad must go. And he thinks we should keep Iran accountable—within—the existing nuclear deal.
On free trade, he’s for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the North American Free Trade Authority (NAFTA), and General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), but would shut down trade with countries who dump products on America below cost.
On government, he would ax the Commerce and Energy Departments, wants term limits, and voted no on banning soft money and issue ads.
On guns, his NRA rating changed from “F” to “A,” apparently by changing his stance from “keep existing restrictions, but tighten up on terrorists,” to “opposes all restrictions.”
On health-care, accepted Medicaid expansion, but otherwise opposes Obamacare, but not all public programs. Also opposes physician-assisted suicide.
On immigration, he says it would be “nuts” to deport 11 million people; thinks they should be legalized with a fine and pay back taxes. Focus should be to keep families together.
On jobs, believes minimum wage should be set at the state level. Thinks if you balance the budget and cut taxes, jobs will appear.
On Social Security, believes it should be fixed, with lower benefits, but believes in cutting taxes on Social Security benefits.
On welfare and poverty, wants to reform welfare for rich people, as well as poor. Feels there are moral and practical reasons to help the poor, but feels welfare should be limited to two years.
There’s a lot more at that link, if you’re interested.
But one last note. Kasich got into a bit of hot water regarding college rape.
“My question is, being that I’m a young female college student, what are you going to do in office as president to help me feel safer and more secure regarding sexual violence, harassment and rape?” asked the woman, who identified herself as a first-year student at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. . .
Kasich initially [discussed the]. . .opportunity to be able to pursue justice. . .
“I’ll also give you one bit of advice: Don’t go to parties where there’s a lot of alcohol,” he said, eliciting applause from the room. “OK? Don’t do that.”
The remark, which came amid Sexual Assault Awareness Month, sparked quick backlash.