During Thursday night's MSNBC coverage of the Republican presidential debate, Andrea Mitchell praised Ohio Governor John Kasich’s defense of expanding Medicaid in his state: "Kasich's defense of taking the Medicaid money was absolutely a great defense. It could sell with Republican primary voters and it is terrific for a general election candidate."
The admiration came on MSNBC's Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell.
When questioned on his acceptance of the Obamacare incentive, Kasich justified his decision by claiming he wanted to use the money to provide healthcare for prison inmates. The MSNBC commentators loved this "conservative" twist on defending the Affordable Care Act.
Kasich's defense of taking the medicaid money was absolutely a great defense. It could sell with Republican primary voters and it's terrific for general election candidate.
Below is the transcript of the exchange from 10:22 PM EDT on August 6:
STEVE SCHMIDT: I don't think Jeb Bush has been bad tonight. But Jeb Bush hasn't been as good as Kasich has. And it will be interesting to watch the fallout as we see the two brackets form. The Trump,
Cruz, Huckabee, Carson bracket, verses the Kasich, Rubio, Christie, Bush, and Walker bracket. And I think Rand Paul's had a very bad night tonight.
ANDREA MITCHELL: And in fact, Kasich's defense of taking the Medicaid money was absolutely a great defense. It could sell with Republican primary voters and it is terrific for a general election candidate.
