The Republican Presidential Contender Everyone’s Overlooking

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http://www.nationaljournal.com/against-the-grain/the-republican-presidential-contender-everyone-s-overlooking-20140129



For a party that's accustomed to nominating the next-in-line presidential candidate, 2016 promises to be a very unusual year for the Republican Party. For the first time in decades, the GOP has no clear front-runner or even an establishment favorite at this early stage.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie looked poised to fill that role, but his home-state scandals are endangering any national bid before it even gets underway. Jeb Bush would be an obvious contender, but Republican officials are skeptical he'd jump into the ring—all too cognizant of the baggage his last name brings. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker might be able to transcend the gap between the tea party and the establishment, but he still faces a challenging reelection back home. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida lost some cachet after his high-profile advocacy of immigration reform foundered.

But there's one candidate who isn't generating much buzz and whose résumé compares favorably with any of the top-tier candidates. He's a battleground-state governor who's looking in strong position to win a second term. He defeated one of the more popular Democratic governors in the country, who happened to be a major Clinton ally. He's from the Midwest, likely to be the critical region in the 2016 presidential election. He entered office as a prominent fiscal conservative but compromised on Medicaid expansion. And most important, Republican officials familiar with his thinking say he's seriously considering a presidential campaign.

Enter Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the swing-state executive who's currently polling at microscopic levels nationally but who could have an outsized impact on the 2016 race.


***oh brother -- a right wing, midwestern union buster. that's the ticket.

[JaneyVee]

1. God help us all.

[Auntie Bush]

2. I learned to hate that man when he helped lead the charge against President Clinton!

He will never get any Dem votes...he's scum.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Recced for awareness.

He does have some television experience which lends to his appeal. Unfortunately, most of his policies tend to detract from his appeal. He also has wavered and changed his mind on a couple issues which might cause some backlash among the TP crowd.

[Liberal Lantern]

4. I have always thought that a Bush/Kasich ticket would give Hillary fits in 2016.

She would REALLY have to work hard for Florida and Ohio if that ticket was the case. The GOP is on such a right wing bent as of late, the ticket might be Ted Cruz/Steve King

I think that she could win Texas if she chose Joaquin Castro.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaqu%C3%ADn_Castro

[okaawhatever]

8. I think the Republicans will look for diversity in the VP nominee. Clearly last night told us Cathy

McMorris-Rogers is on the short list, as is Marco Rubio but I don't see them putting two white males on the ticket. I could be wrong, but I can't imagine them being that short sighted.

Welcoe to DU!!

[MFM008]

5. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[demwing]

6. "currently polling at microscopic levels nationally..."

But somehow he's a big threat?

That's adorable!

Dream until your dreams come true, GOPers.

[Gothmog]

7. Both Kaisch and Walker need to survive 2014 re-election campaigns

Both of these idiots need to be defeated in 2014.

[geek tragedy]

9. he expanded Medicaid over the objections of the teapukes in the OH legislature

No way he gets the nomination.