NH Now: Governor John Kasich on his Surge in the Polls and Vision for America


GOP Presidential candidate Gov. John Kasich joined Chris in-studio on Main Street in Concord to discuss his rise in the polls in NH and vision for America. Most of the experts said that he got into the race too late, but Gov. Kasich made the top ten candidate list and impressed many voters in last week’s debate. The Ohio governor has been rising in the polls and has picked up some important endorsements. Most recently, former state Attorney General and adviser for George W. Bush, Tom Rath has joined the Kasich team, along with former U.S. Sen. John Sununu. Rath will serve as Kasich’s national adviser and New Hampshire co-chair. Rath believes that John Kasich has the right message of optimism and caring, and that it’s clear that voters are paying attention.

Governor Kasich believes that one of the greatest challenges that he would face as president would be to get Congress to work together. He would try to convince them to put being Americans before their party affiliation. He was critical of the lack of respect shown to presidents, leaders, and to each other which is seen in meltdowns and polarization. He feels that this can be gradually accomplished by developing personal relationships and showing respect. However, the Kasich style of leadership doesn’t necessarily involve consensus building. He identifies a problem, considers a solution, but listens respectfully to different points of view, and then he decides what needs to be done.

Kasich’s role model in regard to foreign policy is Ronald Reagan, and he would strive to bring back “peace through strength.” To accomplish this goal, one of his first steps would be to rebuild our rundown military. He wants our armed forces to be lethal and mobile. However, he would take steps to reform the Pentagon in order to ensure that we get our moneys worth. In addition, he would assess our foreign policy commitments.

As president, John Kasich has three main goals 1) Balance the budget; 2) Rebuild the military; and 3) Echoing the words of John Kennedy, revitalize the American people to be more involved in their communities and neighborhoods.