Jump to content

Ohio Gov. Kasich brings the Republican field to 16


webfact

Recommended Posts

Ohio Gov. Kasich brings the Republican field to 16
By JULIE CARR SMYTH

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Saying "big ideas change the world," Ohio Gov. John Kasich declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination Tuesday and pitched his well-rounded resume to voters who have a multitude of high achievers to size up.

Kasich, 63, launched his campaign at Ohio State University before a crowd of 2,000 at an event marking the entry of a strong-willed and sometimes abrasive governor in a nomination race now with 16 notable Republicans.

"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support, for your efforts because I have decided to run for president," Kasich said in a scattered 43-minute speech packed with family anecdotes, historical references and calls for national renewal.

A veteran congressman as well as governor, Kasich is telling voters he is the only GOP candidate with experience in three broad areas of political leadership — the federal budget, national security and state government. He also spent nearly a decade at Lehman Brothers.

"I have the experience and the testing," he said, "the testing which shapes you and prepares you for the most important job in the world and I believe I know how to work and help restore this great United States."

As budget chairman in the House, he became an architect of a deal in 1997 that balanced the federal budget.

Now in his second term in swing-state Ohio, he's helped erase a budget deficit projected at nearly $8 billion when he entered office, boost Ohio's rainy-day fund to a historic high and seen private-sector employment rebound to its pre-recession level.

This, through budget cutting, privatization of parts of Ohio's government and other, often business-style innovations. "We didn't really have to slash things," Kasich said of the budget squeeze. "We just had to use a 21st century formula."

Former state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat who's allied with Kasich on such efforts as community-police relations, said she voted against every one of what she said were "pass-the-buck budgets" by Kasich.

"We cannot be celebrating and dancing happily on the state level, meanwhile there are more school levies on the ballot and local governments have to look into the faces of their citizens and say, 'I either have to raise your taxes or I have to cut this service,'" she said.

Unions, which turned back an effort by Kasich and fellow Republicans to limit public workers' collective bargaining rights, say Kasich's successes have come at a cost to local governments and schools, and that new Ohio jobs lack the pay and benefits of the ones they replaced.

As a marching band kept up a spritely cadence before Kasich spoke, scores of demonstrators gathered across the street to protest his cuts to the budget and to school districts specifically, as well as his closing of centers for people with development disabilities.

"I'm here to make sure that the nation knows, as John Kasich announces his run for president, that he is not an advocate for anybody that is vulnerable," said Melissa Svigelj, 42, an educator from suburban Cleveland. "Unless you are part of the 1 percent, Kasich is not your friend."

Among his supporters, Margo Bishop, 77, of Gahanna, Ohio, said she values his candor.

"I just like his honesty," she said. "I think he's speaking out, and even if I don't agree all the time, but at least he's saying something."

Kasich embraces conservative ideals but bucks his party on occasion and disdains the Republican sport of bashing Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"There are some that will try to divide us. We see it all the time," he said Tuesday. "I don't pay attention to that nonsense."

His entry nearly rounds out an unusually diverse Republican lineup with two Hispanics, an African-American, one woman and several younger candidates alongside older white men. So many are running that it's unclear Kasich will qualify for the GOP's first debate in his home state in just two weeks, when only the top 10 candidates in national polling will be on stage.

In recent months, he's made trips to New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, New York and Michigan, and will be returning to early voting states. His allies at the political organization New Day for America reported raising $11.5 million on his behalf before his entry into the race.

aplogo.jpg
-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-22

Link to comment
Share on other sites


He's not likely to be nominated by the republicans.

But IF nominated, I think he has the best chance to beat Hillary.

In fact, I would expect that he would beat Hillary.

Happily, the republicans probably won't be that smart.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He has some middle of the road views that will never play well with the core nutters. He had the audacity to accept the free Federal funds for Medicaid expansion in his state. Republicans can't do that. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've seen an analysis of his political positions. He's actually very right wing. Not as right wing as Cruz but not even close to the least right wing of the republican field. That's why he's an amazing choice for the republicans. They would get a bona fide right winger who doesn't scare left wingers (even though he should but it's PERCEPTION that matters). They would be total idiots not to nominate him. Happily, they are total idiots.

His success or almost definite failure to be nominated will be an acid test for the republican party.

I wonder if he'll even make the cut of 10 for the big debate,

Yes, he is very presidential. More so than any other republican running. More so than Hillary. Easily.

So the republicans actually have a choice now that could fairly easily win. Watch them blow it!

Edited by Jingthing
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.








×
×
  • Create New...