Doing the Work

John Kasich

For awhile now, I've thought that John Kasich is the one to watch in the presidential contest. Last week I was talking with a friend about him as a good choice for the Republican candidate, and she wasn't really sure who Kasich is. This happens often, I notice when I mention him. People don't know him. Kasich doesn't grab headlines or attention. He just does his job.

Kasich (rhymes with "basic") is a workhorse candidate who doesn't seek the limelight, just does what he needs to do to succeed by inches and keep going. He's a bit rumpled looking and has an Everyman-style delivery when he speaks--ordinary, plain spoken, down-to-earth. He's blunt without being insulting, critical without being nasty, specific without making outlandish promises. Kasich is kind of a Donald Trump who has graduated from charm school. Furthermore, he's got more political chops than most of the Republican candidates combined.

Currently serving as Ohio's governor, Kasich has been in government since the Reagan years. He served 18 years on the House Armed Services Committee and six years on the Budget Committee. Kasich is also a best-selling author of three books. I read Every Other Monday soon after it was published in 2010. The man is interesting, sincere, and underestimated. Tonight he came in second in the New Hampshire Republican primary. Keep an eye on him, and watch out for some more surprises as the primaries continue.