Principles. Courage. Doing the right thing. Putting country before party.

These are all the fine deeds Ohio Gov. John Kasich probably thinks of as he straightens his tie in the morning, looking in the mirror. When he raises his chin for a final look in the mirror, he probably sees a new Founding Father, a 21st-century leader fighting the rabble of both parties, forcing the people to take their medicine even when it’s unpopular.

“When Kasich departs this earthly vale of tears, he ought to donate his brain to science. It could teach us a lot about irrational thinking.”

More from LifeZette TV

MORE NEWS: Biden Tells Republicans Don’t Confirm President’s SCOTUS Nomination

But the truth is, Kasich’s egocentric refusal to back Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is likely only helping Democrat Hillary Clinton become president. For all the flaws Donald Trump has, Hillary Clinton has bigger, more serious problems — such as her affinity for power, secrecy, and misleading the public. It’s a refusal to recognize this that may move the Republican Party to erect hurdles for future presidential candidates who sit 2016 out.

On Sunday, the Republican National Committee chairman said he was tired of it. Reince Priebus, the RNC chair, criticized Kasich on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” Sunday, and floated remarkable and unprecedented moves the RNC could take against Kasich and others like him.

Do you agree that protesting is acceptable, but rioting is not? Yes No Email Address (required) By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement Results Vote

“People who agreed to support the nominee, that took part in our process, they used tools from the RNC,” Priebus told John Dickerson of CBS News. “They agreed to support the nominee. They took part in our process. We’re a private party — we’re not a public entity. Those people need to get on board. And if they’re thinking they’re going to run again someday, I think we’re going to evaluate our process, the nomination process, and I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for them.”

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://twitter.com/Reince/status/727665447684820992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]

Priebus said Republicans across the nation are talking about what to do with neutral candidates such as John Kasich, who dropped out of the presidential race in May after the Indiana primary.

Kasich told The Washington Post in July that he was still bitter and disgusted two months later.

MORE NEWS: Ep 48 | Assassination Attempt On President Goes Uncovered, Schools Opt for Silent Lunches

“What Priebus did was dead wrong, after Indiana, declaring Trump the nominee,” Kasich told The Post. “I was still in it and I think he dissed me, and I think it’s inappropriate. I haven’t spoken to him. I don’t think there’s any point to it. I don’t even understand what he was doing. It was amateur hour for him.”

Kasich had only won one state by then — Ohio — and had angered other candidates’ supporters with his quixotic campaign that won few counties outside of the Buckeye State. All he was doing, it was speculated, was helping Trump win the nomination, while holding Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio down.

[lz_related_box id=”208045″]

In April, National Review writer Matthew Continetti asked: “What does John Kasich think he’s doing?”

Many Republicans wondered why Kasich was traveling to states, still campaigning in the spring, when other candidates with more delegates had dropped out.

“When Kasich departs this earthly vale of tears, he ought to donate his brain to science. It could teach us a lot about irrational thinking,” Continetti wrote.

Priebus said Republicans across the nation are rallying around Trump, approaching 90 percent support among members of his own party. Mitt Romney had about 91 percent Republican support on Election Day in 2012, Priebus noted.

Priebus also reminded Dickerson of the pledge all candidates signed to support the GOP presidential nominee. Kasich, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz signed the GOP pledge. Those three have all decided to abandon the pledge.

One of Kasich’s top advisers, John Weaver, is advising Kasich to stay “Never Trump.”

“[Kasich] will not be bullied by a Kenosha political operative that is unable to stand up for core principles or beliefs,” Weaver said in a statement after Priebus’ remarks on Sunday. “In fact, Reince should be thanking the governor for standing for an inclusive, conservative vision that can actually win a national election and improve our country.”

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://twitter.com/JWGOP/status/777635178264965120]

Weaver has never hid his contempt for conservatives and fellow Republicans. He left the Republican Party after consulting with John McCain in 2000. He advised the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2004. He then came back to the GOP to help McCain in 2008 and then to aid the messiah to self-loathing Republicans, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, in 2012.

Kasich is betting the house listening to Weaver and other advisers.

But Kasich is his own man. He’s the Ohio governor. He’s a grown-up. He’s no dummy. He needs to turn away from the mirror and tune out the sycophants, and ask if he’s really willing to face not only party hurdles in 2020 or 2024 if he runs for president again, but the wrath of voters everywhere if Trump loses in a tight contest.