Report: Republican, Democratic governors weigh joint 2020 White House bid

Two sitting governors — one Republican and one Democrat — are considering launching a joint run for the White House in 2020, Axios reported Friday.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) — known to associates as "the Johns" — have recently made a series of joint appearances to speak about state-driven health care policy, according to Axios. The report described the appearances as “part of an alliance that's gaining momentum toward a possible joint independent bid for president in 2020.”

The governors are looking to expand upon their joint platform on health care to include “immigration and job creation,” Axios added.

The report said that should such a run take place, Kasich would likely be at the top of the ticket. It also said that Kasich recently “urged Hickenlooper to visit New Hampshire,” home to the first-in-the-nation presidential primary.

CNN confirmed the report that the governors are eyeing the possibility of a joint run, citing an unnamed source “involved in the discussions.”

"The idea of a joint ticket has been discussed, but not at an organizational or planning level," the source said. "What they are trying to show the country is that honorable people can disagree, but you can still problem solve together. It happens in businesses and it happens in families. Why can't it happen in Washington?"

An unnamed Democratic operative told Axios the idea is a “fantasy” because “moderate Dems would hate” having Kasich on a ticket.

However, another unnamed Democrat seemed open to the idea, telling Axios, "Our political system is completely broken.”

“Something big and historic needs to happen to break the logjam,” the operative said. “I'm a big Dem but I'm for anything that ... does away with this hyper-partisanship on both sides that is paralyzing our government."

Asked about running with Kasich for the White House earlier this month, Hickenlooper told Politico, “I don’t think Kasich would ever do that.”

“You never know,” he said, adding, “He’s an easy person to work with. He’s strongly opinionated. And quick to his opinion. But he also knows as much about the federal budget, and understands health care at a deeper level than almost any other governor I know. ... I don’t think it’s in the cards. But I do like the idea of working with him in some context at some point.”