Ohio Gov. John Kasich, once thought to be on the endangered list, is cruising to re-election victory and getting new attention as a potential, and strong, presidential candidate.
“I am willing to believe Kasich could deliver Ohio to the ticket — and that is not chopped liver,” said a top strategist who worked with Mitt Romney and former President George W. Bush. “I’m happy if he runs.”
Kasich has turned Ohio around, building a massive rainy-day fund from the 89 cents he inherited. He also cut taxes and even OK’d Obamacare while cutting Medicare costs. “He saved the state,” said one Ohio insider.
Even better for Republicans: His big lead over a flawed Democratic challenger has freed up millions of political dollars that are now being used to help the GOP win the Senate and close gubernatorial races, something Kasich will get credit for.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
