Trump goes after Kasich in Ohio

“It’s a boring subject, but we’ll talk about him,” Trump said from a rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday. He explained that Kasich before his election as governor “was a managing director of Lehman Bros., which was a major catastrophe in the history of the world.”

Trump said Lehman was one of the major financial houses that “almost brought down the world” economy when the big bank failed in 2008.

“He was right in there dealing with all the big boys all of the people that made these horrible decisions at Lehman,” Trump said.

Kasich needs to win Ohio in Tuesday’s primary election. Trump critics have been urging voters to back Kasich in Ohio as the best way to block Trump.

Trump also faulted Kasich’s stance on trade, especially the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. Trump said the trade deal signed into law by former President Bill Clinton destroyed Ohio’s job base. Kasich supported the agreement while a Capitol Hill lawmaker.

“NAFTA wiped out entire states,” Trump said. “We need jobs.”

He also said that Kasich supports the latest Trans-Pacific Partnership a trade deal with Pacific countries that President Obama supports.

Ohioans are being directly “targeted” by the new Pacific trade accord, Trump said, arguing the deal will drive auto industry jobs from Ohio overseas.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership “is going to destroy your auto industry in Ohio,” Trump said. “They are going to take it away from you just like you are a bunch of babies.”

Trump also criticized Kasich’s stance on immigration. “He’s very weak on illegal immigration,” Trump said. “He’s totally in favor of amnesty which you can’t be in favor of.”

“Folks, either we have a country or we don’t,” Trump said.

Earlier Saturday, Kasich ripped Trump, faulting the brash billionaire for creating a “toxic environment” that has led to violence at his rallies.

“There is no place for a national leader to prey on the fears of people who live in our great country,” Kasich said.