On Monday, John Kasich, who has been trying desperately to remain on the national radar, took another step toward abandoning conservative principles, telling reporters he would veto both the “heartbeat bill” and “stand your ground” legislation.
Kasich already vetoed the “heartbeat bill” in 2016; it would have banned abortions once a baby’s heartbeat was detected, but he insisted that even if he signed the bill, it would later be overturned, asserting, “The State of Ohio will be the losing party in that lawsuit and will be forced to cover the legal fees for the pro-choice activists’ lawyers. Therefore, this veto is in the public interest.” The bill states, “If it has been determined that the unborn human individual the pregnant woman is carrying has a detectable fetal heartbeat, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion shall comply with the informed consent requirements in section 2919.194 of the Revised Code in addition to complying with the informed consent requirements in divisions (B)(1), (2), (4), and (5) of this section.”
As PJ Media notes, the “stand your ground” legislation would permit people to defend themselves with lethal force in public places with no “duty to retreat.” The Cincinnati Enquirer explained, “The bill would also shift the burden of proof for self-defense from the individual who used deadly force to the prosecutor. The prosecutor would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the individual didn’t act in self-defense.” Bill sponsor Rep. Terry Johnson stated, “We don’t say someone stands their ground like a cowboy in the old west. All we do is make it so a law-abiding citizen can make a choice at the instant they need to about whether they need to protect themselves or not.”
Kasich voted for the “assault weapons ban” in the 1990s when he was a member of the House of Representatives.
Kasich still views himself as a viable presidential candidate, he recently stated, “I mean, all options are on the table. And the question is, ultimately, can I have a very positive impact on the country?” He added, “There’s a vast ocean in the middle.”
Janet Porter, head of Faith2Action, strong supporters of the “heartbeat bill,” slammed Kasich, saying, “We will override him and he can never run again as a ‘pro-lifer.'”
The Columbus Dispatch reported:
The House has passed both items by margins wide enough votes to override a Kasich veto. The Senate has yet to act on either bill, but is expected to soon. Once a bill passes both chambers, it usually takes several days to officially land on the governor’s desk. He then has 10 days to sign it, veto it or become law without his signature.
Ohio governor-elect Mike DeWine, who was endorsed by Ohio Right to Life, has said he would sign the “heartbeat bill.” Ohio Right to Life actually opposes the bill because the U.S. Supreme Court allowed lower-court rulings reversing heartbeat abortion bans to remain in 2016. Ohio Right to Life President Michael Gonidakis said, “We are united in the belief that life begins at conception as well as the importance of electing Mike DeWine governor. Smart people can otherwise disagree on tactics and strategies. This is a classic example of that.”