3/20/2016 articles
Recently Governor Kasich said: “Churches and religious institutions should not be forced to conduct same-sex ceremonies but Christian business owners should be forced to cater them.” During the debate sponsored by CNN in Houston, Texas he stated, “In regard to same-sex marriage, I don’t favor it, I’ve always favored traditional marriage, but look, the court has ruled and I’ve moved on.”
Will a President John Kasich really “move on” when confronted by a Congress that passes a law or by a court ruling that Christians can no longer practice their faith because it is considered politically incorrect or not inclusive of another religion’s precepts? Will ministers and priests be forced to conduct same-sex ceremonies or will churches be closed down if they refuse to comply?
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Donald Trump promised to protect everyone’s rights to practice their religion. He keeps his promises.
Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said he would comply with the Constitution. As a constitutional legal expert he would support and protect people’s right to free exercise of their religion.
What will it take for Kasich to win the nomination?
Kimberley A. Strassel of The Wall Street Journal writes in her March 18 column Potomac Watch: “John Kasich must convince the GOP electorate to overturn all its usual assumptions about what counts as a victory…voters cling to certain long-held assumptions. ‘Winning’ is about coming out on top in states. ‘Winning’ is about earning lots of delegates. ‘Winning’ is about a particular candidate’s getting his name in neon, and taking command of the party. ”
That is what the primary voters want and what they expect. Currently, Trump has the delegates and the momentum. He is the leader. Political predictors claim he has the best path to achieve the 1,237 delegates prior to the Republican convention scheduled for July in Cleveland, Ohio.
If the Republican Party elite, the Establishment, do not want Trump to be the Republican nominee they might opt or rig the system to hold a contested or a brokered convention. This would be a tough pill for the voters to swallow. It would look like a “back room deal.” This is the very reason why the voters are choosing outsiders like Trump and not establishment hacks.
House Speaker, Paul Ryan, said he would be dispassionate, ‘Switzerland’ meaning he would remain neutral at a contested GOP Convention. He would read up on the convention rules. Would the voters buy that?
Would primary voters rebel?
Indeed they would rebel by not voting for the Republican nominee selected by the party. They would stay home as they did in 2008 and 2012. The GOP would lose yet another presidential race. They would most likely lose GOP congressional seats in both the house and senate as well. They might keep the litmus-tested true conservatives but lose the cross-over votes, Independents, and enthusiastic followers of The Donald .
They need Trump because he is a winner who can get the job done.