John Kasich moves toward a run, The Post reports that Ohio Gov. John Kasich is taking a step toward a 2016 presidential run by setting up a new entity: “The new group is called New Day for America, and one of the biggest political names in New Hampshire — former Sen. John E. Sununu — is serving as a director. . . . Also serving as advisers on the group are Jo Ann Davidson, the former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and current Ohio RNC committeewoman, Phil Geier, former chairman and CEO of the Interpublic Group of Companies, and Bruce Soll, senior vice president and counsel of L Brands.”
There are obvious reasons for him to run. He’s got 18 years in the House, a full term as Ohio governor and a reelection landslide in which he got 25 percent of the African American vote. While a budget hawk in the House, as governor he’s shown a willingness to adopt a more activist approach as governor. He expanded Medicaid under Obamacare, to the dismay of some conservatives. Beyond that, “He closed an $8 billion budgetary hole during his first year in office. He has enacted tax and spending cuts, championed business-friendly regulations, and reformed government programs — all designed to stimulate a state economy long in decline. . . . Other initiatives aimed at lower-income Ohioans — those with addictions or mental illness, at-risk children and others in need — include an earned-income tax credit, a school reform plan for Cleveland, sentencing reform and efforts to tackle human trafficking.”
More than any other Republican contender he talks about secular values — self-sufficiency, empathy, delayed gratification, community — all emphasizing inclusion and responsibility to those in need of assistance. In a memorable second inaugural speech he declared, “I’m talking about foundational—foundational—bedrock values, and they’re undeniably common to us. The ones we all want our children and our grandchildren to embrace, like personal responsibility, resilience, empathy, teamwork, family, faith. We all know that those values have weakened and it is essential that we come together and restore them. And I think what some people miss–don’t deal with just the symptoms, deal with the problem. Restoring these values will allow us to have greater courage, to confront greed, to confront frustration, to confront alienation—to protect those values.”
The challenges for Kasich are obvious. In the “experienced governor” category sit former Texas governor Rick Perry and former Florida chief executive Jeb Bush, whose records are more conservative than Kasich’s. Others who won reelection going away in blue states (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie) are already far along in preparing to run and appeal to many of the same voters whom Kasich would attract. Kasich can be blunt, irascible and critical of his own party (think of a blue-collar version of Jon Huntsman), although he remains a staunch social conservative. His energy sometimes becomes frenetic, his words flying fast and furiously, ready to throw an elbow at others whenever the opportunity presents itself.
At an RGA meeting last fall he took delight in challenging Walker aggressively and pulling rank as the guy who worked on a Clinton budget deal. (“Kasich had suckered Walker into a discussion of a piece of political history in which the Wisconsin governor was not an expert by issuing a somewhat subtle reproach to Walker and perhaps [Bobby] Jindal — the two most provocative rhetorical bomb throwers on the stage — and pointing to his own role in the 1996 budget deal.”) And finally, it’s not clear he can raise the sort of money a long, tough campaign will require.
Kasich’s potential entry into the race raises two questions. First, can he do what Christie has failed to do — pose a real challenge to Bush? Conservatives skeptical or downright hostile toward Bush would dearly love for a candidate who can divide up the moderate segment of the party, just as several candidates are now carving up the right wing. More interesting, however, may be his fondness for confrontation and willingness to defy party orthodoxy. At debates or at one of the early-state cattle calls one can easily see him picking fights, pointing out the fallacy of others’ arguments and rebuking the more-libertarian candidates for being unrealistic and indifferent to those who need help. He is the proverbial loose cannon who can make any opponent look unsteady.
If nothing else, Kasich will help focus the field on political reality: In swing states critical to victory Republicans win big by doing things for people, not railing at government or sending conservative dog whistles. He’s a reminder that poor and middle-class voters have felt alienated from the GOP because they don’t feel Republicans have their needs in mind. Conservative opponents may not agree with Kasich’s approach, but they will be challenged to address the policy and political issues Kasich presents. Unless they can answer Kasich on how Republicans will appeal to Rust Belt working-class voters, minorities and others who have drifted away from the GOP, they are going to have their hands full in the general election.
More than any other Republican contender he talks about secular values — self-sufficiency, empathy, delayed gratification, community — all emphasizing inclusion and responsibility to those in need of assistance. In a memorable second inaugural speech he declared, “I’m talking about foundational—foundational—bedrock values, and they’re undeniably common to us. The ones we all want our children and our grandchildren to embrace, like personal responsibility, resilience, empathy, teamwork, family, faith. We all know that those values have weakened and it is essential that we come together and restore them. And I think what some people miss–don’t deal with just the symptoms, deal with the problem. Restoring these values will allow us to have greater courage, to confront greed, to confront frustration, to confront alienation—to protect those values.”
The challenges for Kasich are obvious. In the “experienced governor” category sit former Texas governor Rick Perry and former Florida chief executive Jeb Bush, whose records are more conservative than Kasich’s. Others who won reelection going away in blue states (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie) are already far along in preparing to run and appeal to many of the same voters whom Kasich would attract. Kasich can be blunt, irascible and critical of his own party (think of a blue-collar version of Jon Huntsman), although he remains a staunch social conservative. His energy sometimes becomes frenetic, his words flying fast and furiously, ready to throw an elbow at others whenever the opportunity presents itself.
At an RGA meeting last fall he took delight in challenging Walker aggressively and pulling rank as the guy who worked on a Clinton budget deal. (“Kasich had suckered Walker into a discussion of a piece of political history in which the Wisconsin governor was not an expert by issuing a somewhat subtle reproach to Walker and perhaps [Bobby] Jindal — the two most provocative rhetorical bomb throwers on the stage — and pointing to his own role in the 1996 budget deal.”) And finally, it’s not clear he can raise the sort of money a long, tough campaign will require.
Kasich’s potential entry into the race raises two questions. First, can he do what Christie has failed to do — pose a real challenge to Bush? Conservatives skeptical or downright hostile toward Bush would dearly love for a candidate who can divide up the moderate segment of the party, just as several candidates are now carving up the right wing. More interesting, however, may be his fondness for confrontation and willingness to defy party orthodoxy. At debates or at one of the early-state cattle calls one can easily see him picking fights, pointing out the fallacy of others’ arguments and rebuking the more-libertarian candidates for being unrealistic and indifferent to those who need help. He is the proverbial loose cannon who can make any opponent look unsteady.
If nothing else, Kasich will help focus the field on political reality: In swing states critical to victory Republicans win big by doing things for people, not railing at government or sending conservative dog whistles. He’s a reminder that poor and middle-class voters have felt alienated from the GOP because they don’t feel Republicans have their needs in mind. Conservative opponents may not agree with Kasich’s approach, but they will be challenged to address the policy and political issues Kasich presents. Unless they can answer Kasich on how Republicans will appeal to Rust Belt working-class voters, minorities and others who have drifted away from the GOP, they are going to have their hands full in the general election.
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