Kasich: “The people of our country changed me”
Ohio Governor John Kasich delivered an emotional speech announcing the suspension of his campaign, thanking his campaign staff for sticking with him across the nation and his family for standing by him throughout his political career.
He recounted memorable moments from his campaign, most of which came from close interactions with people he met along the campaign trail.
“The people of our country changed me,” Kasich said.
Notably, Governor Kasich did not address how he thinks the Republican Party will change moving forward, though his emphasis on emerging from the presidential race a changed man leaves Ohioans wondering how his governorship will change in response.
The crowd of reporters at Franklin Park Conservatory sat in rapt attention as he moved on to reiterate his pragmatic approach to politics, saying that an effective government is possible if politicians do their jobs instead of pandering to polls and focus groups.
He also outlined his conservative economic policies, such as the need for a balanced budget and a shift of money power from the government back to the people.
But perhaps the most telling moment of his speech came when he juxtaposed the importance of economic success with the human aspect of America.
“Let me be clear, we all know that economic growth is imperative to this country…. However, the spirit, and the essence of America lies in the hearts and souls of us.”
He ended his speech on a spiritual note.
“As I suspend my campaign today, I have renewed faith, deeper faith that the Lord will show me the way forward.”
Kasich will soon fully return to his position as Governor of Ohio.
5/4/16, 12:00 p.m.: BREAKING: Kasich ends presidential bid, suspends campaign
Multiple sources have confirmed that Ohio Governor John Kasich has ended his presidential bid, leaving real estate mogul Donald Trump the sole remaining candidate in the running for the Republican presidential nomination.
The news comes after Kasich cancelled a press conference scheduled for this afternoon in Virginia.
He is expected to speak in Columbus today at 5 p.m. Stay tuned to 614NOW for up-to-the-minute coverage!
BREAKING: John Kasich to suspend campaign – @NBCNews • https://t.co/F56YkkcR42 pic.twitter.com/7rNP2UOGop
— CNBC (@CNBC) May 4, 2016
5/4/16, 10:25 a.m.: Cruz quits campaign, Kasich continues
Following Donald Trump’s decisive win in yesterday’s Indiana primary election, Texas Senator Ted Cruz suspended his campaign, making Trump’s nomination almost certain.
However, Ohio Governor John Kasich has decided to forge on in the hopes he can secure the nomination in a brokered convention.
“Our strategy has been and continues to be one that involves winning the nomination at an open convention,” wrote the Kasich team on Facebook. “The comments from Trump, on the verge of winning in Indiana, heighten the differences between Governor Kasich and his positive, inclusive approach and the disrespectful ramblings from Donald Trump.”
The Kasich team says “the future of the Republican Party and America is at stake.”
Even though a poll released yesterday said voters in Kasich’s home state want him to drop out (see below), Cleveland.com says another reason the 63-year-old Kasich might be staying in the race so long is that this could be his last political campaign.
BREAKING UPDATE: Kasich just cancelled a press conference in Virginia scheduled for this afternoon and is expected to speak in Columbus at 5 p.m.
Could this be the end of the Ohio Governor’s campaign? We’ll soon find out.
5/3/16: New poll says Ohioans want Kasich to call it quits
Even though Ohio Governor John Kasich won his home state in the Republican presidential primary, a new poll has Ohioans saying, “enough is enough.”
The poll, conducted by the Democratic-leaning Public Polling Policy, says 49 percent of Ohioans want Kasich to drop out of the race, while only 38 percent want him to stay in. In a poll conducted last month by the same group, 52 percent of Ohioans wanted him to stay in.
Among Republicans, the numbers are worse. 59 percent want him to call it quits.
Following a flimsy alliance with rival Ted Cruz, today’s Republican primary in Indiana might spell the end for both stragglers.
[su_button url=”http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/blogs/2016/05/02/poll-ohioans-want-john-kasich-drop-out/83814886/” target=”blank” background=”#e50403″ size=”6″]Read More[/su_button]
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
