Kasich in Delco: 'The anxiety is real'
With polls suggesting he's in a two-man race for Southeastern Pennsylvania, Ohio Gov. John Kasich pressed Thursday to highlight the contrast - even if he wouldn't name his rival.
With polls suggesting he's in a two-man race for Southeastern Pennsylvania, Ohio Gov. John Kasich pressed Thursday to highlight the contrast - even if he wouldn't name his rival.
Speaking to a crowd in Delaware County, Kasich continued his pitch that he's the most experienced, civil, if not rational choice for Republicans in Tuesday's presidential primary.
"This is extremely boring, because I'm not yelling at anybody or calling somebody a name," he told a few hundred supporters who filled - but didn't pack - the gymnasium at Penn State's Brandywine campus.
"I don't remember a sense of rage when I was a kid," Kasich said. "Today, I think there's a couple things. The anxiety is real ... Anger sells. Strife sells. But I don't think that's where we want to live, is it?"
The visit was the first of two appearances Thursday in the region. Later, Kasich is scheduled to meet with GOP officials and donors at a reception at the Valley Forge Casino.
He shied away from naming his key rival, Donald Trump, but the message was clear.
"Why would we want to pick a president that's going to have on-the-job training?" said Kasich, a two-term governor and longtime member of Congress.
Despite his third-place status in delegate totals, Kasich continued to push his plan to win the nomination in Cleveland this summer. Before he arrived, campaign workers handed out flyers declaring "It starts in Cleveland" and "No one but John Kasich can defeat Hillary Clinton."
Said Kasich: "We're going to an open convention. Nobody's going to have enough votes."
In remarks to reporters after the town hall Kasich said "delegate hunting" among the dozens of uncommitted Pennsylvania convention delegates will be key. He said said he's met with some and will continue to do so even after the primary.
One attendee, Nancy Pantano of Phoenixville, spoke realistically. She said she'll vote for whichever Republican wins the nomination.
But, Pantano said, "I would prefer to have John."
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