ARLINGTON, Va. — Ohio Gov. John Kasich took a not-so-subtle shot at Marco Rubio’s effort to dethrone Donald Trump on Super Tuesday.
The governor appeared to be referencing the Florida senator’s recent repeated insults about Trump’s personal appearance and behavior, when Kasich urged a message of “patience.”
“You will not beat Donald Trump by insulting him, because all you do is enrage his supporters and make them even more firmly committed,” Kasich said. “You know how you win? You win by being patient, being calm and waiting for that moment. Waiting for that moment and I hope that it comes. We don’t know that it will come.”
The governor has previously said that he expects Trump to sweep Tuesday’s nominating contests, and Kasich has said he is unsure if it’s his “purpose” to be president. Instead, he has set his sights on his home state of Ohio.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who attended Kasich’s event, told reporters he believes the governor needs a good showing in his home state, but Gingrich predicted a much different outcome on Super Tuesday. Gingrich said he did not think Trump would not obtain a clean sweep.
“I think Cruz will win Texas, Cruz or Rubio could win Oklahoma, Cruz could win Arkansas, and Cruz or Rubio could win Minnesota, which will still leave Trump with an overwhelming majority,” Gingrich told reporters.
Gingrich repeated that he would not make any endorsement until the GOP has a nominee, but came to see Kasich because the event was in his neighborhood and he viewed the governor like a “little brother.”
Kasich spoke highly of Gingrich at the event and said the former speaker’s presence had him a little on edge. The governor also appeared to long for the old days, and diagnosed the angry mood of the electorate as the result of outsiders who “fumbled” their attempt to thwart the Obama administration’s agenda.
Kasich will head to Mississippi on Tuesday evening, where he will attend a Republican dinner.
Reporting contributed by Ariel Cohen.
