Ohio Gov. John Kasich to African American Senator: "I Don't Need Your People"

Last week, I mentioned in passing that new Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) had appointed Ohio’s first all-white cabinet since 1962.

I let it go at that because it’s simply absurd and I presumed that Gov. Kasich (R) would correct his mistake if not because it’s right, then because it’s good politics. Unfortunately for all Ohioans, I gave the governor too much credit.

"I don't need your people."

What Mr. Kasich (R) should have done when the lack of minority leadership was brought to his attention is recognize that diversity in leadership is just plain good business and then promptly correct himself. Instead, Ohio State Senator Nina Turner (D) of the Cleveland area reports that when she offered to assist him in finding good candidates of color, he replied with an astonishing “I don’t need your people.” (Via Plunderbund, via Ohio Capitol Blog)

Gov. Kasich’s office has confirmed this quote, by the way, but claim that he was referring to political party rather than race.

I want to believe that Gov. Kasich (R) meant that he didn’t need Democrats and not African Americans. I really do. But after his press secretary told me less than a week before that discriminating against trans people is “appropriate,” I’m not sure I can. If he finds discrimination against one group “appropriate,” why should I believe that he finds discrimination against another group inappropriate?

And even if he meant Democrats, saying “I don’t need [Democrats]” is a bizarre statement to make at the beginning of his term. More importantly, it doesn’t match his public rhetoric of bringing all Ohioans together. Does he really mean to suggest that Democrats aren’t welcome in the Ohio government? In some ways, this explanation is just as bad as the most obvious one!

So either Gov. Kasich (R) is racist or he wants to nullify the votes of many Ohioans who are more progressive and sent Democrats to Columbus.

Whichever you believe, this governor is off to a rocky start.