NEWS

Kasich pondered dropping out Wednesday

Carl Weiser
cweiser@enquirer.com
Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks during a campaign stop in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday.

UPDATE 9 a.m. April 29, 2016

Ohio Governor John Kasich told an Oregon audience Thursday he thought about dropping out of the presidential race after his lousy showing in Tuesday night's primaries.

According to multiple news reporters, Kasich told the Portland crowd he and his wife Karen were carrying laundry to the basement Wednesday when he asked her what she thought about continuing the campaign for the Republican nomination.

As the New York Times reports: “I said, ‘What do you think, sweetie? I’m inclined to keep going,’ ” Mr. Kasich recounted at a town-hall-style event on Thursday.

By Mr. Kasich’s telling, his wife, Karen, agreed.

“She said: ‘The people need a choice. And if you don’t give them a choice, who will?’” he told the crowd, which broke out in applause.

“So I’ve decided to keep going,” Mr. Kasich said. “And there are going to be people who are going to criticize me for that. And it’s not always an easy road. I’m going to do my very best.”

Unfortunately for Kasich, a new Oregon poll suggests he faces high hurdles there. Front-runner Donald Trump leads among Republican voters with 43 percent, followed by Ted Cruz at 26 percent and Kasich last at 17 percent. In fact, about one in six Republican voters said they had never even heard of Kasich.

What should Kasich do? See what voters are telling him and weigh in yourself.

Original post

Ohio Governor John Kasich had another rough night in his quest for the Republican presidential nomination, finishing far behind front-runner Donald Trump and picking up just a handful of delegates.

Keep going to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in the hopes of winning a contested convention?

Come home to Ohio?

Endorse Ted Cruz? Endorse Donald Trump? Pick a running mate?

Use Cincinnati.com's 'Talk To Your Government' tool to let Kasich know what he should do. Choose 'Ohio State Offices' in the top drop-down menu and then 'Gov. John Kasich' in the 'Choose Who To Send The Email To' dropdown menu farther down.

Here are some submissions so far:

Richard Kabara: Governor Kasish, of all the candidates in this election past and present you would make the best president because of your successful record and excellent experience. You are the most appealing to the population in general. It was very up lifting to experience your town hall in Fairfield CT. I think you need to STEP UP the contrast between you and the others; especially Trump. Former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger I thought was very effective when he helped you out campaigning in Ohio. I think it would be a big boost to bring him back in a much bigger way. I think he can make the contrast for you in a very entertaining way and powerful way. I would have him lay it on very thick....Number one, Trump must be stopped and you need to get momentum from now until the convention.

Gregory: The polls are pretty clear. You beat Hillary. Trump will leave the GOP in the dust bin of History. Run as an Independent.


Elvis: Give it up, man. You have no chance at the White House. The only thing you might win is a pancake-eating contest.

Dan Griscom:  It's time to give up your egotistical attempt to become President. It's not working. You're not getting votes and you have no chance of winning the nomination. You are embarrassing yourself and the state of Ohio.

Blaise: Please stay in the race and do not endorse Cruz or Trump. Hillary and Bernie are so terrible for this country, but I believe Cruz and Trump are both pretty close to equally as bad as them. You seem like the only genuine person in the race and have my full support.

Jason: A miracle may be needed, but it is one worth praying for. America is so disenfranchised right now that they are willing to send a criminal or a playboy to the White House. Please stay and be the best chance to unite the Party and defeat the Democrats in November. You have my undying support and prayers to fix what is broken.