Mike DeWine’s ‘No Comment’ Says More Than He Thinks
May 11, 2021
Columbus, OH — When Mike DeWine was asked last week about two votes by Ohio Republicans to censure Republican Congressman Anthony Gonzalez and to call for his resignation, DeWine responded only: “I have no comment about it. I’ve already expressed what I thought. I’m not going to say it anymore.”
Earlier this year, DeWine offered a full defense of Gonzalez, saying: “He was voting his conscience. He made that call. That was his decision. I think he’s been a good member of Congress. He should not resign.”
DeWine’s shift is a move of political desperation as he faces internal attacks and the prospect of a messy primary. DeWine, lacking the courage and the power to stand up to members of his own party, now finds himself in a weak position and scrambling to find a base of supporters.
“Ohioans expect their leaders to have the moral courage to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s the tough thing to do. Instead, Mike DeWine is on the retreat, putting his own political interests above all else. To Ohio voters looking for strong leadership, DeWine’s ‘no comment’ speaks volumes,” said Matt Keyes, spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party.
Expect to see a more dramatic shift from DeWine over the coming weeks and months, as Republicans continue to reject his agenda and speak out publicly against him. And his rightward shift will make him no friends with Democrats and Independents, leaving DeWine in a tenuous position as he looks ahead to the 2022 election.