While everyone seems to be covering the 'Trump card' of the Republican Party there are plenty of other Candidates to investigate for the upcoming 2016 Republican Primary. This blog will be dedicated to focusing on the campaign style and strategy of a candidate who was elected and re-elected in a key battleground state for the Republican Party. While many first think of the Florida Governor Jeb Bush or current Senator Marco Rubio I contend that Ohio's John Kasich is the much more convincing Republican Nominee. So who is John Kasich? What has he done to think he deserves the Republican Nomination? Finally what makes him an interesting candidate?
Pre-2000 Kasich
Kasich spent nine terms in the United States House of Representatives for Ohio's 12th District from 1983 to 2001. In this time he focuses on his 18 years on the House Armed Services committee and 6 years as chairman of the House Budget Committee. From the video below you'll see just how much of his campaign is focused on these two central principles (starting on the :36 mark).
Pre-Governor's race
Kasich decided not to run for a tenth term leading up to the 2000 campaign cycle instead launching a Presidential Campaign that left much to be desired dropping out before even the Iowa Straw Poll. From this point he served as a commentator for Fox News hosting 'Heartland with John Kasich from 2001 to 2007.
Governor Kasich
Kasich left his full time hosting position with Fox News in 2007 and started thinking about a campaign for Ohio's Governor race in 2008 while having to wait for election day 2010 to see if the people of Ohio were still behind him. When that day came he was elected as Ohio's 69th Governor and won by one of the slimmest margins in Ohio's history. Despite this close race Kasich was easily re-elected at a 64% to 33% majority over Democrat Ed Fitzgerald.
Kasich for America
These are the general outlines of what brings Kasich to the position he is in today. He's been a party member for decades serving in a key battleground state of Ohio for that time period. He's learned from a failed presidential bid in the early 2000's having already run against a shoo-in with 2000 Bush. Lessons from that campaign will come in handy when comparing him to the likely Democratic opponent of Hillary Clinon - if he reaches that point.
For that However these things say nothing of Kasich's policies he would implement if he were elected. For that it will likely be easiest to evaluate his House Record for determining how he'll attempt to lead as the leader of the nation. During Kasich's time in D.C. he differentiates himself from the majority of other candidates by having consistently reaching across the aisle. In 1994 he was one of 42 Republicans to cross party lines in order to help pass President Clinton's Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Unlike many in Congress today he had actively worked with a Democrat friend in Leon Panetta, Clinton's Chief of Staff.
This quality may make him seem a bit too Dole-esque for many Tea Party enthusiasts of the Republican party, but he has one quality that separates him from every other candidate on the ticket right now. Kasich is largely credited as being the last architect of America's first balanced budget since 1969 - something not done during the last 4 Republican presidencies.
These are the questions Republicans will have to ask themselves when going to the polls and seeing John Kasich's name with an empty box to check. Is this someone with the same fundamental values as me and can I trust him to carry them out as President? Kasich will have to answer this question and convince them that he will be the best person for this in the coming 14 months. Bucking the Trend will be with him on every step of the campaign trail as long as he keeps on booking rallies. and we hope that you'll be there with us.
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