While Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are busy campaigning in New York, John Kasich is organizing something much more important.
John Kasich's D.C. allies are holding a large meet-and-greet political briefing Wednesday afternoon with GOP operatives and donors, according to multiple sources.
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is headlining the event. He will be joined by Kasich senior strategist John Weaver and veteran Republican operative Charlie Black at the 4 p.m. gathering at the American Trucking Association's Capitol Hill townhouse. Black will be discussing Kasich's convention strategy, according to the invite.
A veritable Who’s Who of… who? All gathering to discuss “convention strategy.” Because Kasich, who is still running a solid fourth place in a three-man race, freely admits he has no “election strategy” (i.e. that messy, pointless thing that includes voters). His entire plan to become president of the United States involves 1) watching Trump supporters and Cruz supporters practice the art of utterly failing to make a deal, 2) ascending Mount Convention by climbing on heaps of bodies, 3) accepting the grateful nomination of the staggeringly feckless and ineffectual Republican establishment.
And then, something, something, victory!
This plan will, obviously, require maximum deployment of smoke-filled rooms. So Kasich is getting an early start.
While the event is not about raising money, Rusbuldt said, "We would be happy to accept checks or credit cards, but this is not a fundraiser. This is really a briefing that we hope will evolve into supporters."
We’re really here to prepare for Cleveland. Cassius, you stand… here. And Brutus, how about over there? And Servilius? We’re putting you right next to the podium. But hey, in the meantime, we’ll take a check.
You have to kind of feel for Rob Portman. John Kasich stand-in has to bring with it all the empowerment of oatmeal substitute.