Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said Sunday that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation could be a short-term win.
“I think the whole process — look, it’s both sides. A pox on both houses for the way this was conducted. And people in the country are appalled. That’s because it’s like, ‘I got to win, and you got to lose,’ ” Kasich said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“Look, sometimes, you can have a short-term win, and the long term, you have to wonder about the soul of our country.”{mosads}
Kasich said he did not like how either side had handled Kavanaugh’s chaotic confirmation process, which became especially heated after three women accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.
Kavanaugh fervently denied the allegations and the GOP says no corroborating evidence was found in an FBI investigation.
“I support conservatives on the court,” Kasich said Sunday, pointing to the country’s political divisions. “But it would make sense to work with a Democrat who would say, ‘OK, I know it’s gonna be conservative, alright let me help you to pick somebody so that we don’t go through this.’ “
Kasich also said that “confidence in the court has already been eroded.”
“We would hope that the court will now move in a direction where they can make decisions. And I would hope that the court will not become ideological,” Kasich said. “That would begin to erode confidence in the court.”
He added that all branches of government are losing respect under President Trump, of whom Kasich has been a fervent critic.
“Congress is disrespected. The press is disrespected. The Justice Department is disrespected,” he said. “And the court is beginning to lose respect.”