Gov. John Kasich: ‘We Don’t Play For Second’

Yes, John McCain’s all-in New Hampshire strategy in 2000 helped him have a last minute surge to defeat George W. Bush in the state.

“The Globe” acknowledges Kasich’s “mixed record” as governor, touching on the fight over Senate Bill 5, which was aimed at curbing public-sector unions’ influence, and on his expansion of Medicaid against Republican legislators’ wishes.

When presidential candidates gather in Iowa next week to eagerly await the results of the state’s caucuses – the first nominating contest in the race for the White House – one contender on the Republican side will be missing: John Kasich.

Calling him the “best bet”, “The Globe” editorial board writes: “By voting for Kasich, New Hampshire can reward a candidate whose politics have been largely positive – and rebuke those candidates who have spent their campaign appealing to voters’ fears and biases”. He described the trip to New Hampshire as a “fascinating experience” with the state the focus of the early primary season.

Both papers have large audiences in southern New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary state where Kasich and Christie are hoping for strong performances to buoy their candidacies. Gov. Kasich won re-election in OH in 2014 winning 64 percent of the vote.

“In a crowded field, when you have people knocking on doors, when you have people making phone calls, when we touch the voter, that’s really significant”. “I think Kasich could be the guy”. Rubio offered only veiled attacks against Cruz and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over taxes. Support a candidate who has proved he can lead. If he comes in second in New Hampshire he could be the big comeback story. “This is a great opportunity for our students, who are already very engaged and excited about this election, to have this kind of access to the candidates”.

Kasich was reelected as Governor of OH past year by a 30-point margin.