Kasich and Cruz make their cases to Pennsylvania Republicans

CAMP HILL - At his first campaign stop in Pennsylvania on Friday, Sen. Ted Cruz talked jobs, freedom, and national security, easily winning over a crowd of conservative state Republicans who whooped, hollered, and swarmed around him for selfies and autographs.

Only hours earlier, the same crowd gave Gov. John Kasich a decidedly more subdued reception, as he spoke about the need to bolster the economy, make college more affordable, and fight terrorism - not through discriminating against certain groups, but by building coalitions to root out extremism.

"It's easy to talk about making America great again - you can even print that on a baseball cap," said Cruz, taking a jab at the signature ball cap worn by GOP rival Donald Trump. "But the real question is: Do you understand the principles and values that made America great in the first place?"

With the April 26 primary looming, the two candidates made their cases before the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, the largest yearly gathering of conservative activists in the state.

Cruz brought the crowd to its feet, saying that if he becomes president, he will repeal "every word of Obamacare," pass a simple flat tax, abolish the Internal Revenue Service, and "utterly destroy ISIS."

"Praise the Lord!" one man in the audience cheered, as others gave him a standing ovation.

Kasich hit the crowd with a different argument, suggesting that a vote for one of his rivals could have a ripple effect down the ballot. "You nominate the wrong Republican candidate who divides the country? We'll lose the United States Senate, as well as the White House," he said.

During a stop earlier in the day in Hershey, Kasich said that he may be playing catch-up with his Republican rivals, but he still believes the presidential race will be wide open by the time they arrive in Cleveland for the party's convention in July.

Speaking to supporters at a town hall-style meeting, the Ohio governor and Western Pennsylvania native pointed out that he was running even with Trump in Keystone state polls and that Cruz is "not doing well in this part of the country."

History, Kasich said, could be on his side. In seven of 10 contested Republican conventions, the candidate who ultimately became the presidential nominee entered the convention "way behind," as most observers say he now is.

"People are finally getting to know who I am. . . . Now it's changing," Kasich told the crowd at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum at Hershey.

The appearance marked his third campaign event in the state and the beginning of what is likely to be a wave of visits by candidates leading up to the primary.

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have opened campaign offices across the state in recent days. Clinton's campaign announced she would come to Philadelphia on Wednesday.

On Friday, both Kasich and Cruz said they were best positioned to beat Clinton in the general election.

Cruz largely ignored Kasich's presence in the race, focusing his attacks on Clinton and Trump.

About Clinton, he had this to say: "The Democratic field consists of a wild-eyed socialist with ideas that are dangerous for America - and Bernie Sanders."

He said only two candidates - he and Trump - can win the nomination, but only he can beat Clinton.

"Nominating Donald elects Hillary Clinton," he said.

Kasich made the exact argument, but said he would not resort to pithy or outrageous soundbites to get attention.

Still, he faced questions over his claim of a "high-road" campaign. After the Hershey event, he took steps to distance himself from a new television ad by a superPAC that supports his campaign and characterizes Cruz as "Lyin' Ted" - a phrase coined by Trump.

"I'm very unhappy at the use of that word," he told reporters, saying he has expressed his displeasure to his top campaign staff and hopes the superPAC will pull the ad.

Jeff Coleman, a Republican from suburban Harrisburg, was at the meeting with his 10-year-old daughter, Anna. A former state representative who now is a consultant, Coleman said he is supporting Kasich, who he called "refreshing," and a candidate to whose events he can bring his child. "His tone is civil, without compromising on core conservative values," Coleman said.

Charlie High, a Republican from suburban Harrisburg, doesn't fear a contested race. He said he is excited at the prospect that Pennsylvania, despite its late primary, will be a player in deciding the Republican presidential candidate.

"I think it's great there are multiple candidates in the race," said High, a retired state environmental emergency response director.

acouloumbis@phillynews.com 717-784-5934 @AngelasInk