Kasich focuses on New Hampshire in Iowa debate

Ohio Governor and presidential candidate John Kasich sees his chance to make a name for himself in the Republican presidential field–and if last night’s debate is any indication, that chance lies in the New Hampshire primary.

Despite debating in Iowa, Kasich touted his New Hampshire endorsements, which include one from east coast newspaper The Boston Globe. After all, a victory in an early primary would give Kasich a significant boost in national name recognition.

Analysts saw Thursday’s debate as a chance for the Ohio Governor to shine, especially given the fact that Donald Trump didn’t show due to his tiff with moderator Megyn Kelly, but it’s tough to say if Kasich broke through to the Republican base, largely because he’s so… reasonable.

“We cannot fix things in this country,” Kasich said, “unless we lead as conservatives and we also invite people in from the other party. We have to come together as a country, and we have to stop all the divisions.”

Such a message contrasts starkly with Trump’s polarizing views on religion and nationality.

Unfortunately, Kasich stumbled elsewhere, answering a question about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan without mentioning a similar water crisis in his own state, giving a dubiously vague answer about data encryption, saying the issue needed to be “solved in the situation room,” and even getting shut down by moderator Megyn Kelly at one point.

But, New Hampshire seems to love the guy, and he did make the main stage in last night’s debate. If he wins over New Hampshire with his message of reason, executive experience, and compromise, he still might have a shot at the White House.

 

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