John Kasich picked up Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s endorsement on Monday.
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“I think it relates to (issues) like early childhood education for kids, people who are in prison, giving them a chance to get their lives back if they want to earn their way there”, he said.
“I have watched him over the years and I chose him because of his heart”, Bentley said, adding that he believes the two have similar approaches toward governing. An endorsement from a Southern conservative such as Governor Bentley could help propel Kasich and his unique message – until now focused on making a mark in New Hampshire, the first primary state – to a broader Republican bloc.
With his record as governor and his two decades on the House Armed Services Committee working with leaders like President Reagan to strengthen our military, end the Cold War and revamp the Pentagon, John Kasich is a leader whose readiness to lead our nation on his first day in the Oval Office is unmatched. The Ohio governor also won positive reviews for his call for pragmatic leadership at the first Republican presidential debate in Cleveland on Aug. 6.
Kasich also said in the CNN interview that the U.S. should have left a base behind in 2011 when President Obama withdrew troops, and that he would have supported rebels in Syria working to overthrow Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Kasich said Monday will not be his last trip to Alabama. “It makes a big difference”.
The Republican’s presidential campaign has been hinting at a major announcement in Alabama, and he’s stumping for support in the South Monday. Alabama faces a $200 million general fund budget shortfall that lawmakers will again face during a second special session. As of just last week, Kasich was also sprinting neck-and-neck with the use of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in New Hampshire, although both males are continue to election clearly behind important frontrunner Donald Trump.
William Stewart, former chair of the University of Alabama political science department, said he was somewhat surprised Bentley didn’t endorse a more conservative candidate.
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“Democratic lawmakers have long supported this expansion, along with a lottery, to help resolve our state’s financial crisis”, Worley said in a statement.
