In terms of a path for the nomination, the demise of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, whom I regarded as a problem for Kasich back in April, removes the other Midwest governor from the race. Starring in the face of persistent, low, single digit ratings is clearly not the mirror-mirror-on-the-wall scenario the former Fox News TV star and Lehman Brothers banker was hoping would be his story of hope and inspiration by now. It’s pretty simple: Kasich appears to be the favorite Republican hopeful with both members of the media and Democrats.
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“The network that once cut ties with Donald Trump over his comments on immigrants is now welcoming him back”, the Fox anchor grinned. Ted Cruz, or an outsider, like Ben Carson. Marco Rubio with eight percent. Rand Paul of Kentucky with and second-place former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina at 15 percent. “What’s going on?” the voter asked Kasich. They make up the majority of the voters in the Granite State and can chose either ballot.
Even worse for Mr. Kasich, who crows about singing up long-time New Hampshire political power players, his support is eroding despite his cash infusion to buy goodwill there.
Kasich explained the importance of New Hampshire during the ceremonial opening of his state headquarters in Manchester earlier this month. “It puts us $11 trillion in the hole with no way to pay for it. That will be known over time, I think”, Kasich said, suggesting that would be “lowering the bar” for public service. But poll numbers don’t seem to matter to this Ohio governor.
Ed Holdgate in New Hampshire may be on the right track about why Camp Kasich is irritated their hard-right leader is doing so poorly.
“I just don’t know if this system works anymore”, said Kasich.
“You probably never do, do you?” he joked. “We’re all proud of you, NBC”.
Strategists for Camp Kasich are trying to adjust.
In order to win in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary, undeclared or independent voters play a big role. “It’s about being able to have the skills to get things done to fix this country”. That, and what voters say is his knack for being less divisive than other candidates.
Kasich met with Gov. Rick Snyder at Mackinac Island.
“We can’t balance a budget without entitlement reform”. And he knew the answers, he thought through them. “No one should have to live in the shadows”, he said.
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The focus on jobs should start at home, Republican presidential candidate John Kasich said during a stop in Kent County Monday.
