John Kasich wondered about his purpose in the presidential race during separate campaign stops in Georgia on Tuesday.
Roll Call reported that the Ohio governor conceded it may not be about “being elected president.” He presented a few alternatives that are typically the explanations of candidates who run simply to promote a cause.
Kasich made similar remarks at an event earlier in the day, according to the New York Times: “I don’t know if my purpose is to be president.”
The public ruminating comes after a vow Kasich made Monday night to continue his campaign. “I have people that come to me and say we need you to stay in, you’re hope for us, and that’s what we’re going to do. We’ll see where it goes,” he told FOX News’s Megyn Kelly.
But in a local television interview Tuesday, Kasich was less on message and more candid — questioning, for example, a talk radio caller’s suggestion that he bring up the topic of God on the stump to win over evangelical voters. (Regardless, Kasich is overt about his faith and its influence on his politics.)
“I’m like, what, are you kidding? I’m going to use God as a calling card? I’m not going to do that,” he said to Atlanta-based WSB-TV. Georgia is one of the 11 states that will hold GOP primary elections on “Super Tuesday” next week.
This Tuesday, Kasich finished far behind the second tier of candidates in the Nevada caucuses.
