Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s presidential campaign began one month ago, and a key lesson his team has taken away from its first month is that “debates can make a difference.”
Kasich jumped into the presidential race near the end of July and managed to secure the final spot on the debate stage in Cleveland, Ohio, earlier this month.
“While many pundits and naysayers believed he was getting in too late, the last month has proven otherwise,” wrote Kasich strategist John Weaver. “We have hired staff in New Hampshire and South Carolina. We are off to a great start in those states as well as in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts and others. We are building serious operations in other early primary states.”
Kasich has spent much of his time on the campaign trail in New Hampshire, securing key endorsements from across the state, including from members of the Thomson and Sununu families.
“Our campaign has paid special attention to New Hampshire, home of the first-in-the-nation primary. That focus has been paying off,” Weaver wrote. “In June Governor Kasich was 10th in New Hampshire. Now according to the most recent polling average Governor Kasich is second, trailing only Donald Trump. The governor has been winning voters over through strong performances at town hall meetings and retail politicking. His conversion rate at town halls is better at this point in the race than John McCain’s was in 1999 -2000.”
Weaver pledged that the campaign would, “never initiate an attack on one of our opponents, [but] please rest assured we will push back aggressively against any attempt to distort the governor’s record.”
The spin from the Kasich campaign seems to be focused on the fact that the governor can win the nomination and will have a crucial role in delivering Ohio during the general election.
“A pro-growth, inclusive conservative can win the nomination and, most importantly, put the Democrats on the defensive demographically,” Weaver wrote. “All GOP roads to the White House lead through Ohio and thus John Kasich has a unique advantage in the electoral college.”
RealClearPolitics’ average of national polls showed Kasich tied for seventh place on Friday with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. He holds a one percentage point lead over New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who finishes behind ten other GOP presidential candidates. He holds onto second place in New Hampshire by 0.3 of a percentage point, according to RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polls.
Kasich is counting on New Hampshire to build momentum, but has also picked up key endorsements across the country, including from Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. Whether Kasich can ride the momentum onto the debate stage next month remains to be seen.
