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As we reported yesterday, Gov. John Kasich has been emerging as an alternative to Donald Trump among rogue electors still trying to block Trump from becoming president. Having dubbed themselves “Hamilton Electors,” the group is publicly made up entirely of Democrats, who are trying to trying to convince Republican electors to switch their vote from Trump to Kasich.

Kasich is increasingly seen as the most acceptable Republican alternative to electors on both sides of the aisle, who note Kasich defeated Trump in Ohio’s primary (though seem to forget that was the ONLY state Kasich won); the governor boasts a high approval rating in his state; and Kasich was reportedly (though never confirmed) under consideration to be Trump’s vice president before Indiana Gov. Mike Pence was selected.

Of course, all of this ignores one huge fact: that Kasich wasn’t on the ballot in November — because Republican voters didn’t want him; Donald Trump was on the ballot and won.

Gov. Kasich was embarrassingly slow to concede in the primary (and even beyond) and has been very high profile in his snubbing of Donald Trump — notably, not showing up for the Republican National Convention in his home state, where Trump was officially nominated and never endorsing Trump. Even more recently, Kasich was “busy” when Trump made a swing through his home state again as part of his “thank you” tour.

One might have assumed Kasich would jump on the bandwagon with electors pushing him in lieu of Trump.

So it was rather a surprise to see the Ohio governor’s message to electors today:

Gov. John Kasich statement on the recent news about the upcoming Electoral College meeting: pic.twitter.com/dm9yOfBqwF

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) December 6, 2016

From The Hill:

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is urging presidential electors not to cast a vote for him over President-elect Donald Trump, arguing that the effort will only deepen the divide in America.

“I am not a candidate for president and ask that electors not vote for me when they gather later this month,” Kasich said in a statement Tuesday. “Our country had an election and Donald Trump won.”

Kasich was a vocal opponent of Trump during the GOP presidential race and wouldn’t endorse his former rival leading up to the election.

But in Tuesday’s statement, the Ohio governor noted that after a divisive and bruising election, Americans must unite and move forward.

“The country is divided and there are certainly raw emotions on both sides stemming from the election,” he said. “But this approach, as well meaning as it is, will only serve to further divide our nation, when unity is what we need.”

“The election is over. Now is the time for all of us to come together as Americans,” he said.

Gotta give credit where it’s due and we must applaud Kasich for coming out publicly — and quickly — with a definitive message.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all the presidential candidates who didn’t win — translation for you liberals out there, that would be everyone but Donald J. Trump — did the same?

[This article was written by Michelle Jesse, Associate Editor]