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Could Kasich be President?
< < Back toIn the blistering cold of a February evening in small town in southeast Ohio, Gov. John Kasich delivered his annual state of the state address with the fiery passion Ohioans have come to expect from the two-term governor. Between talking about taxes and balancing the budget — Kasich’s calling card — he briefly shared a few telling thoughts on leadership.
“Leadership is not a finger in the air to figure out who’s going to be with you,” he said, licking his finger and holding it up as he spoke. “It’s not about who likes you. It’s about using your judgment to deliver the best results.”
That’s exactly how Kasich has governed, and now he wants to take that philosophy national. With 15 candidates declared for the Republican presidential nomination, Kasich is set to become the next addition to the field Tuesday. But the two-term governor and former congressman may have a hard time getting the bid because of his governing style.
Kasich seems like a fiscal goldmine for the GOP: former chairman of the House Budget Committee, prominent supporter of a balanced budget amendment, experience with foreign policy and two-terms as governor of a swing state, not to mention his stint with Lehman Brothers. Some conservatives, inclucing Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, say this combination is what the Oval Office needs.
“Kasich is the only guy in this field of presidential candidates on the Republican or Democratic side who can show he has done that on the state and federal level and resulted in balanced budgets,” said Stivers, who represents south-central Ohio and formally endorsed Kasich about a month ago. “Instead of looking at what people promise to do, let’s look at what they’ve actually done.”
You’re only a Kasich team player if you’re working on Kasich ideas – Ohio state Sen. Joe Schiavoni
Kasich – pronounced KAY-sick – has a favorable fiscal track record. He oversaw a federal balanced budget during his time as chairmen of the budget committee, and while his role is debated, Ohio’s economy has improved under his administration.
His fiscal positions flow on both sides of party lines. He cut income taxes across the board, and he moved thousands of government jobs to the private sector, both conservative moves. But he also increased tax credits for low-income earners and expanded Medicare, both liberal moves. While the latter bring criticism from the right, Kasich is not afraid to dole out his own criticism of conservatives for worrying more about appearances than substance.
Yet, even with his seemingly bipartisan approach, some Democrats in his home state offer their own criticisms.
“If you vote for a bill that he has proposed, he will say, ‘Way to be a good team player on this.’ … But if you disagree with what he wants to do, then he either A) shuts you out or B) condemns you for your decision,” Ohio state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, leader of the Senate Democratic caucus, said. “You’re only a Kasich team player if you’re working on Kasich ideas.”
He’s practical, and he’s got governing experience. … He could beat Hillary Clinton – Dan Birdsong, University of Dayton
While Kasich worked closely with Democrats while he was in Congress, he has always been known for his brash and brutally honest approach. But some experts say that candor could be what he needs to climb the polls.
“Chris Christie a year and a half ago and Donald Trump now show that being brash can be good,” Dan Birdsong, a political science lecturer at the University of Dayton, said. Kasich’s approach could put him in the role of “that knucklehead who you want to have a beer with,” Birdsong said, which could win over Republicans who are tired of the current system but don’t support candidates who create “a media circus.”
Kasich’s biggest hurdle, however, may be his lack of name recognition. Pitted against a Bush again — he briefly ran for the nomination against George W. Bush in 1999 — he will have to campaign heavily in the early voting states, Birdsong said. While his chances of winning the primaries may be steep, Kasich could fulfill a unique position for the Republicans in the general election.
“He’s not Chris Christie,” Birdsong said. “He’s not Donald Trump. He’s not Ted Cruz. He’s practical, and he’s got governing experience. He’s done these things. He could beat Hillary Clinton.”
Reach reporter Jaelynn Grisso at jaelynn.grisso@scripps.com or (202) 408-1493. SHFWire stories are free to any news organization that gives the reporter a byline and credits the SHFWire. Like the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire interns onFacebook and follow us on Twitter.