Kasich cuts an appealing persona. Some of his blue collar attitudes make him a comfortable figure to working class voters. His cut-throat policies towards unions, however, betrays his real vision. He is a Republican big-money, corporate shill. Hopefully the working class will see through his façade.
7
John Kasich is on almost everybody's top five list. No matter what the writer of this article intended the effect was to vaccinate Kasich against opponents that might call his career anything but successful, productive, and useful. If Kasich does not get the top spot, he will likely have an offer to be VP. He would do well in either spot.
Everytime I see this guy I think he looks like he just lost his dog ... like needy or something.
3
This is yet another NYT hatchet job but this time on a Republican who has the best resume of any presidential candidate from either party. So he worked for the investment banking arm of Lehman, so what. Corporate investment banking had zero to do with the Great Recession. Kasich has been elected twice as Governor of an important, blue leaning swing state by large margins. Unlike Hillary, he has a record of accomplishment in everything he has done. Shame on NYT which once again demonstrates how its partisan slant reaches everywhere but in its sports section.
Really? What makes it a hatchet job? Is there anything in this piece that isn't true?
3
"The base of the Republican Party is blue collar white males." Maybe that explains why Mr. Kasich has already signed 16 anti-abortion bills and may be about to sign another appalling one where an abortion can be denied based on which fetal abnormalities are identified: women are not part of his base.
He sounds the most reasonable of the Republican candidates but has extremely conservative policies, and his 8 years at Lehman show his allegiance to the 1%. He has cut something like $84 million from public schools, not wise at a time when a good education is critical for later life and work success.
A candidate for white men and the 1% and not for the 50% of women.
He sounds the most reasonable of the Republican candidates but has extremely conservative policies, and his 8 years at Lehman show his allegiance to the 1%. He has cut something like $84 million from public schools, not wise at a time when a good education is critical for later life and work success.
A candidate for white men and the 1% and not for the 50% of women.
8
Haha. I would like to see Secretary Clinton bashing Governor Kasich over his Wall Street connections.
But Democrats really need to get over this idea that having some connection to Wall Street is equivalent to being a member of Al Qaeda. Finance makes the world go around. Where, for example, do you think money for green energy comes from? Wall Street is a critical part of the American economy and there is nothing shameful in understanding how it works. Understanding how it works is actually a good thing.
If you have a complaint about a specific thing someone did, fine. But bashing someone just because they worked in finance is silly.
But Democrats really need to get over this idea that having some connection to Wall Street is equivalent to being a member of Al Qaeda. Finance makes the world go around. Where, for example, do you think money for green energy comes from? Wall Street is a critical part of the American economy and there is nothing shameful in understanding how it works. Understanding how it works is actually a good thing.
If you have a complaint about a specific thing someone did, fine. But bashing someone just because they worked in finance is silly.
I'll say it again; there are plenty of Ohioans who voted for Kasich, who have since been yearning for the days of Ted Strickland.
6
Just another hustler masquerading as an "ah shucks guy." Became a multi-millionaire" as a Lehman Brothers banker who knew zilch about investment banking. Wonder if he could "create" a log cabin where he was born?
10
Among other things political, I wish someone, perhaps Mr, Kasich, would explain to me;
a) how "Job Creators" actually create jobs and;
b) what sort of jobs they create
a) how "Job Creators" actually create jobs and;
b) what sort of jobs they create
9
I re=read the article and his remarks about coming from a "lower class" family. His coal miner grandfather and his postal service father. If his dad was a mail man, he was pretty sure to have 3 meals a day and a roof over his head. Far better than a lot of people in his hometown. I doubt if he knew much about his grandfather's job, but it makes an interesting addition to his background. So up until he was 23, he was a middle class person who I assume went to college and then went to Congress. How hard has his life been. I imagine anyone would be happy to have shared his background. From 23 on he was on the government payroll or the Ohio Government payroll or of course the Lehman Bros gravy game or the Ohio State University payroll. I cannot share a tear with his background. Sounds like he was a lucky, well fed, middle class citizen until he was 23 and he boarded the gravy train and is still on it.
11
Very interesting narrative. Why not try another?
After serving in government, John Kasich left office to "cash out" on his public service. What was his net worth prior to leaving office, and what was it following? These would be interesting "facts."
What were these "boards" he served on, and what were all of his sources of income following his departure from the House of Representatives?
It would be interesting to know more about how candidate Kasich converted his public service into millions.
After serving in government, John Kasich left office to "cash out" on his public service. What was his net worth prior to leaving office, and what was it following? These would be interesting "facts."
What were these "boards" he served on, and what were all of his sources of income following his departure from the House of Representatives?
It would be interesting to know more about how candidate Kasich converted his public service into millions.
12
Kasich has said that if he were king he would eliminate all teachers' lounges in the US. Before I read that I thought that, given his rivals, he was nearly reasonable. But it seems that to be taken serious by that party, one has has to say angry and absurd things about people--as long as they aren't part of their demographic. Just another republican jerk.
12
no exceptions for abortion makes him not a good candidate.........................
12
"A friend helped him [Mr. Kashich] land an interview at Lehman Brothers. 'I came away thinking: interesting guy, not like a major door-opener,' recalled Gary Weinstein, who interviewed him and became his boss. As to what the congressman knew about banking, Mr. Weinstein said, 'Zero. It was shocking to me.'"
And yet he was hired on the spot as a $600,000 per year "banker" with stock options...
This, my friends, is what's wrong with our government. A place where special interests reign supreme and connections, careers, and fortunes are built in place of good public policy.
And yet he was hired on the spot as a $600,000 per year "banker" with stock options...
This, my friends, is what's wrong with our government. A place where special interests reign supreme and connections, careers, and fortunes are built in place of good public policy.
13
Exactly. Ever check out Jack Lew's employment history? How about Hilary's huge campaign contributions from Goldman Sachs?
2
@Tom California
Maybe $600,000 is not as impressive as it sounds.
I know guys on Wall St., 35 years old, not the big fish, and they still make $1 million a year as managing partners.
Maybe $600,000 is not as impressive as it sounds.
I know guys on Wall St., 35 years old, not the big fish, and they still make $1 million a year as managing partners.
1
Kasich looks and talks like a Big 10 basketball coach, but his congenial manner masks a right-wing agenda as severe as Sott Walker's. The only difference is that Ohio's Democrats have been able to keep Kasich somewhat in check, while the GOP majorities in WI have aided and abetted Walker's terrible plans.
7
Nonsense. Kasich is meaningfully more moderate than Walker. Try not to let the issue of organized labor cloud your judgement.
There is much to like about John Kasich. He has experience, a good track record, and may be the only republican candidate the left wing will find acceptable. He may also be a very dangerous candidate for those very reasons.
George H.W. Bush was that candidate with all those same qualities back in 1988. He was the moderate with solid experience in contrast to the hard line ideologies of Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp. History tell us how that turned out. President Bush raised taxes, the economy fell into a recession, and Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. Jack Kemp once said in 1988 that if either George Bush or Robert Dole is elected than the Reagan Revolution is over. He appears to have been right.
More recently, republicans have had difficulty with moderate candidates. John McCain and Mitt Romney both had strong resumes but questionable conservative credentials. Maybe John Kasich will not necessarily be the next George H.W. Bush, Mitt Romney, or John McCain, but the resemblance is somewhat concerning.
George H.W. Bush was that candidate with all those same qualities back in 1988. He was the moderate with solid experience in contrast to the hard line ideologies of Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp. History tell us how that turned out. President Bush raised taxes, the economy fell into a recession, and Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. Jack Kemp once said in 1988 that if either George Bush or Robert Dole is elected than the Reagan Revolution is over. He appears to have been right.
More recently, republicans have had difficulty with moderate candidates. John McCain and Mitt Romney both had strong resumes but questionable conservative credentials. Maybe John Kasich will not necessarily be the next George H.W. Bush, Mitt Romney, or John McCain, but the resemblance is somewhat concerning.
@Jim Andes Shreveport
I would make the argument that the Reagan Revolution is continuing today.
And it has had the help of Democrats who are afraid to be like Bernie Sanders and so this country has moved to the right.
Obama is not much different than Angela Merkel. Obama is considered center-left here. Angela Merkel is considered center-right in Europe.
And after these 35 years, we have more poverty and worse Gini coefficient. Countries like Germany and Denmark have better economic mobility and higher speed Internet than we do. We are the richest industrialized country on the planet and we rank around 20 in education depending on the survey.
And the richest 400 Americans now have as much wealth as the bottom 50% of Americans.
The rising tide may not have lifted all boats, but it lifted a lot of multi-million dollar yachts.
I would make the argument that the Reagan Revolution is continuing today.
And it has had the help of Democrats who are afraid to be like Bernie Sanders and so this country has moved to the right.
Obama is not much different than Angela Merkel. Obama is considered center-left here. Angela Merkel is considered center-right in Europe.
And after these 35 years, we have more poverty and worse Gini coefficient. Countries like Germany and Denmark have better economic mobility and higher speed Internet than we do. We are the richest industrialized country on the planet and we rank around 20 in education depending on the survey.
And the richest 400 Americans now have as much wealth as the bottom 50% of Americans.
The rising tide may not have lifted all boats, but it lifted a lot of multi-million dollar yachts.
2
Having come from a "coal mining family" I (and my cousins) were the first generation to graduate from high school and college. The successes we experienced allowed us to get our collective family through High School and College and "out of" the coal mines . This is Mr. Kasich's family's experience. I have no problem with his success.
When faced with a Congress full of Tea Party Ideologues and southern congressional conservatives, I would rather have a Democrat as President.
But if fate decrees that we have a Republican President, I can only hope it is Mr. Kasich otherwise things will be as bad or worse than "W".
When faced with a Congress full of Tea Party Ideologues and southern congressional conservatives, I would rather have a Democrat as President.
But if fate decrees that we have a Republican President, I can only hope it is Mr. Kasich otherwise things will be as bad or worse than "W".
1
I congratulate your family on their success. I'd feel better about Kasich's success if there was some indication that he was willing to help families like yours. Kasich doesn't have a good track record when it comes to education.
7
In 2011 Ohio sent out 22,000 notices seeking over-payments in welfare and food stamps. Ohio lost millions in the early 2000s when its pension fund bought overpriced mortgage-backed securities from John Kasich, who was then a Lehman Brothers banker. As governor, he supported deputizing welfare fraud investigators and allowed them to conduct unannounced, suspicion-less searches of welfare applicants’ homes before their requests for aid can be approved. Every pursuit of a welfare or food stamp over-payment should be matched by a pursuit of a fraud for more than $5,000.
5
So it's Kasich's turn at the NYT republican bashing machine.
Yet not a word denying Kasich's claim that he created more jobs and oversaw a larger budget surplus than any other state.
I guess it must be true then!
Yet not a word denying Kasich's claim that he created more jobs and oversaw a larger budget surplus than any other state.
I guess it must be true then!
1
OK, list the portions of this article where Kasich was "bashed" and then provide a rebuttal using verifiable facts. I promise to read everything you come up with.
4
Pretty sure that Kasich probably doesn't mention that a lot of those jobs he "created" are in the auto industry that was rescued by the Obama Administration over the strident objections of Republicans.
8
Kasich likes to talk about coal miners. Is he going to talk about making sure they have union representation, safe working conditions, good health care etc.? How about job training so they can move on to safer, better paying jobs?
11
This article is an important revelation about who this candidate really is and what has contributed to his success as a politician. He is so far away from his humble roots that he supports policies that have victimized those who elected him. Thanks for pulling off the mask of another Republican insider.
10
Kasich's banking experience compliments his blue collar roots and political background, it does not conflict with it.
3
That's an interesting perspective. Could you elaborate on it?
1
I've been a John Kasich watcher dating to his years as a member of the House of Representatives.
He has morphed into something rather different from his ideolouge persona during the 1990s.
I always thought it was a combination of two factors.
First his years at Goldman Sachs, where he was exposed to an environment that contravened his prevailing life experiences.
Then running for governor of Ohio -- something of a blue state, with a strong labor union background -- revealed a different version of the original John Kasich in his conservative Republican garb.
As governor -- and successfully attaining a resounding re-election -- he showed himself to be a different kind of guy. His stance on the Affordable Care Act stands from and center.
Today I think of John Kasich as a throwback to the era when moderate Republicans stalked the land.
But he also has revealed a personality as a politician who wins people's attention because he talks straight on the difficult issues of our time. He spells out his convictions forthrightly and -- most of all -- in a comprehensible manner.
He has morphed into something rather different from his ideolouge persona during the 1990s.
I always thought it was a combination of two factors.
First his years at Goldman Sachs, where he was exposed to an environment that contravened his prevailing life experiences.
Then running for governor of Ohio -- something of a blue state, with a strong labor union background -- revealed a different version of the original John Kasich in his conservative Republican garb.
As governor -- and successfully attaining a resounding re-election -- he showed himself to be a different kind of guy. His stance on the Affordable Care Act stands from and center.
Today I think of John Kasich as a throwback to the era when moderate Republicans stalked the land.
But he also has revealed a personality as a politician who wins people's attention because he talks straight on the difficult issues of our time. He spells out his convictions forthrightly and -- most of all -- in a comprehensible manner.
4
Goldman???? you weren't paying much attention at all.
4
Is John Kasivh saying investment bankers amd venture capitalist are CEOs? Both groups use funds from others to handout. Then they charge high rates.
5
No mention of his charter school fiasco?
Under Kasich, public school funding in Ohio was cut in half and given to national charter school management corporations, who immediately started self-dealing to increase their profits. Charter schools with a D-F year end grading, consumed 90% of the state’s charter school funding.
A recent Stanford University study found that Ohio’s charter schools lag way behind the performance of public schools.
And this is the template that politicians in other states are using to destroy the public school system, while enriching themselves and their cronies.
Under Kasich, public school funding in Ohio was cut in half and given to national charter school management corporations, who immediately started self-dealing to increase their profits. Charter schools with a D-F year end grading, consumed 90% of the state’s charter school funding.
A recent Stanford University study found that Ohio’s charter schools lag way behind the performance of public schools.
And this is the template that politicians in other states are using to destroy the public school system, while enriching themselves and their cronies.
16
You are sod right. Charter schools are simply bones tossed to those who actually don't want to help bring about change in our nation. They further sequester minds which should be opening to regimens of thought which only narrow if not close that passage. Charter schools are not about freedom of choice rather a restriction of it.
5
Kasich may tell his poor family story, just like some of the rest of the candidates, but he is a generation removed from the middle and working classes. His House Chairmanship, not his business acumen, certainly got him the Lehman job. He's just like all the other millionaires running for President, who are being financed by the billionaires via Citizens United; a wolf in sheep's clothing.
There is not one real middle/working class candidate among them. So, they have no problem cutting and amending programs that hurt the middle/working classes, while they grease the loopholes to make themselves and their political patrons richer. Time for a real candidate of, for and by the people, before we perish from the earth.
There is not one real middle/working class candidate among them. So, they have no problem cutting and amending programs that hurt the middle/working classes, while they grease the loopholes to make themselves and their political patrons richer. Time for a real candidate of, for and by the people, before we perish from the earth.
21
So I'm wondering . . . . . How many of those reading this article, or responding to this article, if they lost or left a job, could be introduced to a major financial institution, when they know zero about banking and finance, and be hired.
When they reach that point, and think it's a-okay, or even normal, they have lost their roots. Because people in McKees Rocks, PA don't have that luxury when they lose their jobs. They sweat and suffer to find another. Once people like Kasich make it to big time politics and make those contacts they are set. And they think they did it all on their own or because they are smart.
When they reach that point, and think it's a-okay, or even normal, they have lost their roots. Because people in McKees Rocks, PA don't have that luxury when they lose their jobs. They sweat and suffer to find another. Once people like Kasich make it to big time politics and make those contacts they are set. And they think they did it all on their own or because they are smart.
33
We often see that when those serving in Washington do well by Wall Street when in office they are very well cared for when they leave. Katich, Rahm Emanuel, Larry Summers, and many more.
17
Don't forget Ronald Reagan and George H. (Poppy) Bush.
12
Be wary, very, of anyone who graduated from the Newt Gingrich school of political takedown. From their ascendancy helping Gingrich do his dirty work, these former House boys have spread across the nation using Gingrich methods of destruction in the name of getting power for themselves. The central tenet of the Gingrich way is to throw ethical accusations at anyone in your path, creating so many questions that people start to say, "There must be something to it." Then, keep pounding until something sticks on the target and move in for the kill.
Another tenet is to avoid any sort of friendly contact, in some cases any contact at all, with "the enemy". Thus, many members of the House don't know each other as human beings and couldn't possibly work out any compromise.
Gingrich also advised the new House members elected in 1994 NOT to live in Washington, DC. Thisresulted in a part time Congress (more power for Gingrich, who at least kept his mistresses close in the capital). Now, there is only one day of the week, Wednesdays, when there is any guarantee at all that there will be enough members in Washington to hold any votes in the House. Pathetic. The members fly in, rush to Capitol Hill, vote against anything Obama wants and they fly home, calling it a great victory. Those who want to see govt. frozen in place, wasting hundreds of millions of dollars in the process, cheer.
Why do we need yet another presidential candidate from Wall Street and big money? Why, indeed?
Another tenet is to avoid any sort of friendly contact, in some cases any contact at all, with "the enemy". Thus, many members of the House don't know each other as human beings and couldn't possibly work out any compromise.
Gingrich also advised the new House members elected in 1994 NOT to live in Washington, DC. Thisresulted in a part time Congress (more power for Gingrich, who at least kept his mistresses close in the capital). Now, there is only one day of the week, Wednesdays, when there is any guarantee at all that there will be enough members in Washington to hold any votes in the House. Pathetic. The members fly in, rush to Capitol Hill, vote against anything Obama wants and they fly home, calling it a great victory. Those who want to see govt. frozen in place, wasting hundreds of millions of dollars in the process, cheer.
Why do we need yet another presidential candidate from Wall Street and big money? Why, indeed?
24
Just another politician wit another "We were so poor that we had to (fill in the blanks) story. Just another former master of the universe that helped bring our nations economy to its knees.
20
I'm tired of leaders talking up their humble, rustic roots like I really give a hoot about any of them trying to relate to us. What I really care about is a pragmatic, thoughtful, and sensitive leader who is going to address all of the issues affecting us in the 21st century. So far none of the GOP candidates are willing to enter the 21st century.
24
Well, I'll try again. Earlier today I posted that I don't think Mr. Kasich is a trustworthy man. Comment not posted. The NYT decided that this is not part of the managed response to the article? I'll just mirror what others have said. Take a look at the Mother Jones article. Thank you.
14
Candidates' self-styled narratives -- both real and ad agency designed -- may affect whether they will be nominated, but such has little to do with how they will actually govern if elected, let alone what policies they will push and how they will deal with major problems, both foreign and domestic.
What we need is more substance and analysis about a candidate's track-record policies and less narrative fluff, as well as less moment-by-moment coverage of the horse race, especially this far out.
What we need is more substance and analysis about a candidate's track-record policies and less narrative fluff, as well as less moment-by-moment coverage of the horse race, especially this far out.
6
I'm no sociologist, but I think if we look at the backgrounds of most elected officials we would not find a whole lot of destitution. Simply to acquire the educational background necessarily requires a level of affluency most of us can but imagine, or at least a readiness to assume copious dept. Kasich is merely a very large fish amid a pod of Blue whales. His constant reliance on "humble roots" is only credible in the context of his competition.
And any candidate who supports, much less accomplishes, the privatization of prisons is at once disgusting and disappointing.
And any candidate who supports, much less accomplishes, the privatization of prisons is at once disgusting and disappointing.
18
Nice examples of everything that is beginning to stink in America. Good example of "white privilege". It isn't what you know, it is who you know. Do you think a black guy from Hawaii would get the same chance? Well, actually, Barack Obama could have worked on Wall Street, but he choose the job of "community organizer".
I'm glad Kasich was concerned about his family's welfare and took the money like Jeb!
I'm glad Kasich was concerned about his family's welfare and took the money like Jeb!
7
White privilege? What a strange conclusion. Drive through small town America Nd see the devastation caused by outsourcing. People including whites turning to drugs in their hopelessness.
1
I hear much incongruous thought on Kasich from national pundits and voters.
Kasich's moderation? : "Yes" to Medicaid expansion (only don't call it Obamacare), and "Yes" to a proposed balanced budget amendment that might take away a mighty fiscal tool and permanently bias our nation toward military spending and immediate catastrophes as so identified by conservatives. That reminds me of Chief Justice Roberts' supposed moderation - "Yes" to Obamacare, but Citizens' United and Voting Rights Act cases may hereafter give preference to the conservative moneyed class.
I wish The Times would analyze the balanced budget amendment proposal carefully, seeking counsel from experts such as Ben Bernanke.
Kasich's moderation? : "Yes" to Medicaid expansion (only don't call it Obamacare), and "Yes" to a proposed balanced budget amendment that might take away a mighty fiscal tool and permanently bias our nation toward military spending and immediate catastrophes as so identified by conservatives. That reminds me of Chief Justice Roberts' supposed moderation - "Yes" to Obamacare, but Citizens' United and Voting Rights Act cases may hereafter give preference to the conservative moneyed class.
I wish The Times would analyze the balanced budget amendment proposal carefully, seeking counsel from experts such as Ben Bernanke.
9
The more I learn, the less I like him.
21
He is not different from other Republicans. NO, he has one difference, he is not the most popular among all the candidates from the Republican party. It is quite obvious that he is long past time to retire.
6
Excuse me. Scranton. Same difference.
2
I am sick of reading articles that talk about politicians' "blue-collar roots" and ignore their grossly anti-labor policies. Who cares that Scott Walker buys his clothes at Kohl's when the centerpiece of his record is destroying working people's ability to organize for better wages?
Who cares that John Kasich's grandfather was a coal miner, when he tried to wipe out collective bargaining for public workers in 2011? (The difference between him and Scott Walker is that Kasich's bill was overturned by a ballot initiative.) If the Ohio governor cares so much about working-poor people, why did he issue an executive order in May stripping home health-care workers of collective-bargaining rights?
Forget this phony "authenticity." Give me a Franklin Roosevelt, an old-money scion who did more for working people than any US. politician in the last 100 years.
Who cares that John Kasich's grandfather was a coal miner, when he tried to wipe out collective bargaining for public workers in 2011? (The difference between him and Scott Walker is that Kasich's bill was overturned by a ballot initiative.) If the Ohio governor cares so much about working-poor people, why did he issue an executive order in May stripping home health-care workers of collective-bargaining rights?
Forget this phony "authenticity." Give me a Franklin Roosevelt, an old-money scion who did more for working people than any US. politician in the last 100 years.
30
I can usually accommodate the bias of the New York Times. Look at Vice President Joe Biden waxing sentimentality from his humble beginnings in Wilkes-Barre. But just what gives the NYT poetic license to question Governor John Kaisch's choice of career path? The NYT is not assisting the body politic in making a choice. Merely throwing more red meat to their most favored audience. Sad. Sad indeed. I so much appreciated the 18 months of NYT Sunday Edition Bush V. Gore "background" articles, so long, long ago.
5
Nice try but Biden hasn't gotten wealthy in D.C. and Biden has worked to help ordinary Americans.
And Democratic congressmen don't join Goldman Sachs? What do they do? Give up all their material possessions and join a monastery?
6
Why doesn't the NYT call out Senator Barbara Boxer who after graduating from Brooklyn College worked as a stock broker?
3
norcalguy101 - Is Barbara Boxer running around talking about her impoverished background?
Well isn't this interesting? The two supposed GOP "moderates" were each paid millions by Lehman just before its collapse,sticking the taxpayers, the creditors, and everyone in sight. And then there's the little matter of the Lehman fiasco nearly bringing the entire US financial system down. Neither Bush nor Kasich had any knowledge whatsoever of banking, so their function was what exactly?
How corrupt can one political party get?
How corrupt can one political party get?
14
Or if you want a glimpse at how John Kasich has always supported Truth, Justice, the American Way, and Corporate Interests, just check out his voting record in Congress from 1983 to 2000.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/john_kasich/400590
Oh, lookee that! John Kasich was hovering on the left fringe of the hard conservative center of the Republican party throughout that period, which, of course, included the reign of Newt the Magnificent.
Our “Aw gosh” Hardscrabble John was to the right of every Democratic Blue Dog for the period except the legendary Dino, Ralph Hall (4th TX), who made it official that he was a Republican in 2004, Virgil Goode (5th VA), who came out as a Republican in 2002, and Charlie Stenholm (17th TX) who went off to lobby for stepped up horse meat slaughtering in the U.S.
As you go through the list of Kasich votes and bill sponsorships, particularly in the late 90s, you’ll see he was a VSP and derp ahead of his time in declaiming the absolute necessity of dropping everything and balancing the budget and paying down the debt – lest the government get around to redistributing back to the demos the obscene gains, at the demos’ expense, the oligarchs were running up even at the time.
Don’t listen to what the VSP megaphones on the right, say David Brooks, or in the Tom Friedman “muscular” center, may say about Kasich. Just check what this goose did in Congress after he hatched back in 1983.
He’s still following the same hard right ideology.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/john_kasich/400590
Oh, lookee that! John Kasich was hovering on the left fringe of the hard conservative center of the Republican party throughout that period, which, of course, included the reign of Newt the Magnificent.
Our “Aw gosh” Hardscrabble John was to the right of every Democratic Blue Dog for the period except the legendary Dino, Ralph Hall (4th TX), who made it official that he was a Republican in 2004, Virgil Goode (5th VA), who came out as a Republican in 2002, and Charlie Stenholm (17th TX) who went off to lobby for stepped up horse meat slaughtering in the U.S.
As you go through the list of Kasich votes and bill sponsorships, particularly in the late 90s, you’ll see he was a VSP and derp ahead of his time in declaiming the absolute necessity of dropping everything and balancing the budget and paying down the debt – lest the government get around to redistributing back to the demos the obscene gains, at the demos’ expense, the oligarchs were running up even at the time.
Don’t listen to what the VSP megaphones on the right, say David Brooks, or in the Tom Friedman “muscular” center, may say about Kasich. Just check what this goose did in Congress after he hatched back in 1983.
He’s still following the same hard right ideology.
15
Mr. Kasich is just one more utterly phony Republican politician. Not only is this stump speech knowingly dishonest regarding his background, he was also a card-carrying member of the Gingrich group in the USA House of Representatives who were elected after the extreme right came to national power with the Ronald Reagan Administrations in the 1980s.
He was and no doubt still is as vile as they come among the successive and successively viler groups of Republicans in the USA House members over the last 35 years who have wrought so much destruction on the USA citizenry and on most of the rest of the population of the world.
He was and no doubt still is as vile as they come among the successive and successively viler groups of Republicans in the USA House members over the last 35 years who have wrought so much destruction on the USA citizenry and on most of the rest of the population of the world.
12
Although I would never vote for John Kasich -- or any Republican candidate, for that matter -- I do have some genuine respect for him, respect attributable to his courage in ignoring Republican ideologues and embracing Medicaid expansion.
That one decision indicates to me that he has a commitment in advancing the public/common good when that is in conflict with Republican ideology.
Just wish we had a few Republicans in the U.S. Congress and our Virginia General Assembly that would have the courage of placing the interest of people over the ideology of the political party, but we
don't, unfortunately.
That one decision indicates to me that he has a commitment in advancing the public/common good when that is in conflict with Republican ideology.
Just wish we had a few Republicans in the U.S. Congress and our Virginia General Assembly that would have the courage of placing the interest of people over the ideology of the political party, but we
don't, unfortunately.
3
Oh sure ... and Boehner grew up sweeping the bar floor that his daddy owned and look how he turned out. Kasich is nothing but a fake and his wars on women, unions, education ______________ (fill in the blank) should tell us everything we need to know.
24
I'd fill in your blank with "Renewable Energy". (In fairness, the legislature declared war on it, and he signed the death certificate.)
This despite Ohio having the highest level of industrial air pollution in the nation, in many years dwarfing even the second worst state, according to the last data I saw. Not surprisingly, we always have one of the highest cancer mortality rates.
This despite Ohio having the highest level of industrial air pollution in the nation, in many years dwarfing even the second worst state, according to the last data I saw. Not surprisingly, we always have one of the highest cancer mortality rates.
5
Uh oh. I thought "maybe this is the guy". But you can't run away from your past.
3
Once again the Times seems to be covering everything about the Republican candidates but their policy views. While their self-styled narratives -- both real and ad agency designed -- may affect whether they will be nominated, such has little to do with how they will actually govern if elected, let alone what policies they will push and how they will deal with major problems, both foreign and domestic.
What readers need is more substance and less fluff and moment-by-moment coverage of the horse race.
What readers need is more substance and less fluff and moment-by-moment coverage of the horse race.
12
In the same way I am fascinated by a Right Winger can decry Kasich accepting the extra Medicare $$$ because our national debt is too high, followed by a comment supporting a candidate that fought to keep useless military bases open because "our states economy needs them", I am equally fascinated by the comments from Far Lefties decrying Kasich Wall Street Experience followed by saying you can't believe what he says. To me, he has a very unique resume, blue collar upbringing, key player in the most productive House of Representatives budget committee in my lifetime (and I am 57) excellent state Governor of a major industrial and agricultural state, Wall Street experience, proven overachiever at every level he has been on. Most importantly, instead of trying to get elected by tearing our nation apart and pitting one group against another, he is repeatedly calling for the Right to recognize the good in the opposite side and vice versa. He's clearly the best candidate the GOP has had in decades, imo, as far as having a combination of real world achievements to go with a recognition we all need to come together for America to be great again.
3
"best candidate the GOP has had in decades" That's not saying very much.
1
These so-called "moderate" Republicans are no different from the rest of their party. All of them, ALL of them, are hard-right on economic policy, but their advocacy comes without bombast, and to the media that is all they need to be considered "moderate".
There are plenty of rich people who don't support destroying the social safety net or sacrificing the federal budget on the alter of tax cuts, but they don't call themselves Republicans.
There are plenty of rich people who don't support destroying the social safety net or sacrificing the federal budget on the alter of tax cuts, but they don't call themselves Republicans.
6
Want to learn more about Kasich and his cronies?
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/08/ohio-charter-schools-john-ka...
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/08/ohio-charter-schools-john-ka...
5
So he's another Republican who talks about his disdain for government despite having enjoyed a career in government and only to use his connections through government for personal enrichment. His private sector career (based almost entirely on his public sector experience and back scratching) then gives him insight into how "job creators" "create jobs" so he goes back into government and promotes tax giveaways so the job creators get to keep more of their profit earned mostly through gimmicks and gambling with other people's money so they could then conceptually create more jobs with it, but then they just invest it in other gimmicks and bubbles to inflate their own wealth at everyone else's expense. But boy oh boy, his grandpa was hard workin' blue collar man, so he two generations removed from his grandpa's experience is qualified to speak on behalf of today's disgruntled middle class. Got it. Vote Republican!
17
Very well put.
1
I don't know all of what Kasich did during his Lehman days, but I'm confident of this:
He didn't make, or participate in, any of the big decisions that led to Lehman's demise.
A firm like Lehman hires a guy like Kasich for one reason only: to bring in business. It doesn't let him into the tight circle of top management. So blame what else you will on Kasich, but back off on this one: it's just not plausible.
He didn't make, or participate in, any of the big decisions that led to Lehman's demise.
A firm like Lehman hires a guy like Kasich for one reason only: to bring in business. It doesn't let him into the tight circle of top management. So blame what else you will on Kasich, but back off on this one: it's just not plausible.
2
You are obviously unaware of the damage he did in Ohio as a Lehman lackey. He helped Lehman gamble away State employees pension funds. Many billions went poof thanks to Kasich's connections. And that was a mild prelude to what he's done as Governor. Maybe you think the revolving door is a good thing. Come live in Ohio....
6
The well to do in Ohio have benefited from Kasich's governorship. In Ohio he eliminated the estate tax benefitting the ultra rich while taking money away from townships and villages. He cut the state income tax benefitting the top earners.,He proposed giving additional school aid to Upper Arlington and New Albany schools which have two of the highest average incomes while cutting aid to some schools in the poorest areas of Appalachia. Don't forget his transitioning from the federal government to 7 plus years at Wall Street. Don't be fooled by his : "Aw shucks I'm a nice guy speech". The 1% will not suffer if he is elected. The rest of us will do the suffering.
18
He has caused endless woes to local government and schools. His tax cuts on income netted most of us less than twenty dollars,while causing many problems for local budgets in areas such as libraries,senior services,mmrd,extension to name a few.
1
>
Since Hillary is not going to be POTUS and the Dems have messed up a give me election and when the GOP adults finally regain control of their id, Kasich, being from OH, will either be the next POTUS or Vice POTUS, full stop.
He's probably the least GOPer to be fearful of, but once the radical right gets a hold of him he'll have no choice but to follow.
The Dems put all their eggs in one basket, and now we are going to pay for it.
You don't like proverbial 5-4 SCOTUS decisions? How are you going to like 6-3 decisions for the next 25-yrs if the GOP replaces 1 liberal and 3 conservative dinosaurs with 4 rightwing young bloods. Game over, checkmate.
Since Hillary is not going to be POTUS and the Dems have messed up a give me election and when the GOP adults finally regain control of their id, Kasich, being from OH, will either be the next POTUS or Vice POTUS, full stop.
He's probably the least GOPer to be fearful of, but once the radical right gets a hold of him he'll have no choice but to follow.
The Dems put all their eggs in one basket, and now we are going to pay for it.
You don't like proverbial 5-4 SCOTUS decisions? How are you going to like 6-3 decisions for the next 25-yrs if the GOP replaces 1 liberal and 3 conservative dinosaurs with 4 rightwing young bloods. Game over, checkmate.
3
The Times' Michael Shear asks:
"How awkward would it be for President Obama and the White House if Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. challenged Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination?"
The real question is: How awkward would that be for Hillary Clinton?
It really doesn't matter whether Biden runs, since neither he nor anyone else can take away the nomination from Hillary Clinton. What DOES matter is that he would even consider running. That speaks volumes.
"How awkward would it be for President Obama and the White House if Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. challenged Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination?"
The real question is: How awkward would that be for Hillary Clinton?
It really doesn't matter whether Biden runs, since neither he nor anyone else can take away the nomination from Hillary Clinton. What DOES matter is that he would even consider running. That speaks volumes.
1
As a Democrat, I wake up every few weeks hoping the base of the Republican party will continue their ruinous association with Trump fully realizing that what looks good on paper now will all fall apart when "The Donald" finds out firsthand that you don't win Iowa without an army of caucus goers to seal the deal.
Trump may still believe in Trump, but after January 2016, he will be reintroduced to the reality that you can't "will" people to go to caucuses on a cold winter's night with YouTube ads and an occasional candidate public appearance in one of Iowa's 5-6 major cities and win.
When that implosion happens, and every other Republican candidate has embraced every conceivable right wing position to render themselves unelectable as President, someone like Kasich will emerge from the weeds and hand the Democratic party their first real electoral challenge in years.
Trump may still believe in Trump, but after January 2016, he will be reintroduced to the reality that you can't "will" people to go to caucuses on a cold winter's night with YouTube ads and an occasional candidate public appearance in one of Iowa's 5-6 major cities and win.
When that implosion happens, and every other Republican candidate has embraced every conceivable right wing position to render themselves unelectable as President, someone like Kasich will emerge from the weeds and hand the Democratic party their first real electoral challenge in years.
1
Clinton-Kasich 2016 !!! A center-left of practical, sensible governance - by people who are willing to govern, not just campaign
1
Which one is left or even center, they both love Wall Street.
1
When a politician proposes to "reform" Social Security, watch out. How very interesting it is, especially in view of today’s news, to learn that Kasich wants to give Americans “an opportunity to earn money through the strength of our American economy”. Not a word about the risk of losing money if the market tanks around the time of your retirement, nor of the fees that would be creamed off by investment companies. Kasich's "reform" would be just one more opportunity for those who make money with other people's money.
29
I am a democrat and I have hoped Governor John Kasich would enter the race for President from the beginning of this election cycle, when he was not even listed among the prospective GOP candidates. My reason: positive recollections from the days when he served nine terms as a member of the United States House of Representative. His tenure in the House included six years as chairman of the House Budget Committee, and he was a key figure in the passage of welfare reform and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Even though I did not agree with several of his positions, he impressed me as a highly responsible and capable public servant. His record as governor of Ohio sustains my perception of him as a well-informed politician focused on the needs of people rather on advancing his political career. I will vote for Hillary Clinton for President and I hope that Governor Kasich will be her opponent because he is best position to articulate the conservative point of view as a true statesman. A contest between these two outstanding individuals would advance the goals we aspire for our democracy.
17
Well, you're half right. Kasich would be fine.
Hillary? I don't think so. As a lifelong Democrat, I'm fed up with the Clinton dynasty. I'd vote for Kasich, despite my reservations about his tenure at Loser Brothers.
Hillary? I don't think so. As a lifelong Democrat, I'm fed up with the Clinton dynasty. I'd vote for Kasich, despite my reservations about his tenure at Loser Brothers.
So he triangulated with Clinton on cutting the nickels for the poor welfare to give more to the welfare capitalists on Wall Street.
How about adopting the Nordic model, where the rich are rich, but the poor are taken care.
How about adopting the Nordic model, where the rich are rich, but the poor are taken care.
1
Pretty sure two people do not a dynasty make. The Bushes,the Kenneds,where there are multiple generations are dynasties.
1
There's a whiff of desperation emanating from the corporate media these days. The major networks and newspapers seem to acknowledge that even total media saturation from now until November 2016 won't get Trump elected and they have been unable to sell any of the better known bought-and-paid for corporate hacks. The newest marching orders seem to be to promote Kasich in the hope that his mild-mannered countenance and relative obscurity won't provoke too many voters to lift the lid on his unwholesome record.
8
check out the Mother Jones comments on Kasich. He did his best to kill public schools
19
Anybody who goes after teacher's lounges does not have the decency to be an elected leader!
5
leave out "lounges" and you are correct. Otherwise not correct.
I passionately despise Wall Street.
That notwithstanding, I feel heartened by his compassionate stance on same-sex couples and financial assistance programs.
That being said, he stands zero chance in a party that generally despises those who are down and out.
That notwithstanding, I feel heartened by his compassionate stance on same-sex couples and financial assistance programs.
That being said, he stands zero chance in a party that generally despises those who are down and out.
2
It's disheartening how so many of fellow progressive can be so closed mind and judge, judge, judge another human on one of the professions he held. So many mean words, cold hardness and self righteousness. Let's take the discussion to the issues and the man once we get to know him, shall we? May freedom of thought and diversity reign!
3
It is his actions that are being judged, just like Hilliary, it is Wall Street all the way for personal enrichment.
1
We should buy into compassionate conservative? No thanks.
1
You're not reading the comments very thoroughly. People are unhappy with Kasich's track record in public office.
BTW, it was the right wing who constantly sneered at the President for being a community organizer.
BTW, it was the right wing who constantly sneered at the President for being a community organizer.
Governor Kasich is a champion of a balanced budget amendment. I would like to hear him explain how cutting spending in the face of an economic crisis like that of 2008 would help the economy recover.
24
Balanced just like Scott Walker in Wisconsin, chop $250,000,000 from the University of Wisconsin and give $250,000,000 to those paupers who own the Milwaukee Buck.
3
Let me handle this one for Kasich. A balanced budget amendment wouldn't say "The budget must be balanced. Period. No excuses." A balanced budget amendment would say something like "The budget must be balanced unless the President declares a fiscal emergency and that declaration is ratified by a 60% vote in the House and the Senate."
In other words, a balanced budget amendment would have a mechanism for balancing the budget and an escape clause for emergencies like 2008.
In other words, a balanced budget amendment would have a mechanism for balancing the budget and an escape clause for emergencies like 2008.
According to the comments here, this guys is responsible for the collapse of Lehman and had nothing to do with the progress of Ohio while governor.
Also, it appears anyone who works on Wall St. is evil. Despite the fact that finance is one of the competitive advantages of the U.S. economy vs. the world. You know what's not? Public education--where we spend the most per student and get middling results.
So what's in need of actual reform and change (or do we just need better teacher tenure protections)?
Also, it appears anyone who works on Wall St. is evil. Despite the fact that finance is one of the competitive advantages of the U.S. economy vs. the world. You know what's not? Public education--where we spend the most per student and get middling results.
So what's in need of actual reform and change (or do we just need better teacher tenure protections)?
1
He wasn't a banker, but was paid millions. You do not find that strange? He introduced the Ohio pensions to Lehman, and they lost. He is a Wall Street Hack buttering his own bread, just as Hilliary and the rest of them.
3
Typical Republican rhetoric, always hungry growing up, worked 7 jobs, but still managed to attend church twice a day Bla Bla Bla...
17
You forgot to add that he walked miles up hill to school and back.
2
John Kasich is the dark horse. Able.
Abe Lincoln was a dark horse, too. Most able.
Lehman Brothers collected stars, starting with Commerce Secretary Pete Peterson and Gen. Lucius Clay.
John Kasich and Abe Lincoln experienced poverty.
Ohio is important. Kasich owns Ohio. Florida is important. Three running are from Florida: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson. Dr. Carson, 63, most intelligent, most accomplished and least political. Jeb Bush is Bush 4. Sen. Prescott, his grandfather, ran the GOP that eased Gov. Nelson Rockefeller from presidential consideration over his divorce and Happy's behavior. GHWB, his father, one term and ran the CIA. W, his two term brother, destroyed the economy, ran from 9-11, went to war in Iraq. Senator Rubio has little executive experience and is 43 and has good looks.
Abe Lincoln was a dark horse, too. Most able.
Lehman Brothers collected stars, starting with Commerce Secretary Pete Peterson and Gen. Lucius Clay.
John Kasich and Abe Lincoln experienced poverty.
Ohio is important. Kasich owns Ohio. Florida is important. Three running are from Florida: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson. Dr. Carson, 63, most intelligent, most accomplished and least political. Jeb Bush is Bush 4. Sen. Prescott, his grandfather, ran the GOP that eased Gov. Nelson Rockefeller from presidential consideration over his divorce and Happy's behavior. GHWB, his father, one term and ran the CIA. W, his two term brother, destroyed the economy, ran from 9-11, went to war in Iraq. Senator Rubio has little executive experience and is 43 and has good looks.
2
Don't be sure Kasich owns ohio past the primaries.
2
Does Kasich own Ohio? What is his approval rating there?
Carson thinks that prison makes people gay. He might be a brilliant surgeon but that doesn't mean he has a clue about anything else.
Carson thinks that prison makes people gay. He might be a brilliant surgeon but that doesn't mean he has a clue about anything else.
Sounds like valuable experience, and says little about his connection to working class and understanding of main street problems. I'm sure folks can find political reasons to try to undermine him if they want.
4
Look under the hood and you will most likely find that Kasich made his millions at Lehman not because of any banking or investment skills, but because, being an ex-congressman with the right credentials, he was skilled at schmoozing with incumbents in Congress, his old pals.
In effect, he was a lobbyist who did not have to register as a lobbyist. Nothing new here, they all do that, the old revolving door gig.
The surprising thing is, with a maximum worth of less than $10 million, he does not seem all that successful as a "business man." Just another pol.
In effect, he was a lobbyist who did not have to register as a lobbyist. Nothing new here, they all do that, the old revolving door gig.
The surprising thing is, with a maximum worth of less than $10 million, he does not seem all that successful as a "business man." Just another pol.
21
The article stated his net worth is between $9-22 million, which is not peanuts. But he got hired knowing "zero" about banking, according to his boss. So it obvioysly wasn't what he knew, but who. And he was attached to Lehman as it tanked.
7
"But there is a chapter in Mr. Kasich’s life story that conflicts with this narrative: the nearly eight years he spent as an investment banker with Lehman Brothers, the Wall Street firm."
Why is it a conflict? Unless he is only 8 years old, both things can be true, right? Is there a "conflict" between the fact that Obama went to Columbia and that he went to Harvard?
Why is it a conflict? Unless he is only 8 years old, both things can be true, right? Is there a "conflict" between the fact that Obama went to Columbia and that he went to Harvard?
2
It's a conflict because he only talks about his poor, working class roots, he neglects to mention the rest of the story which includes working with the people who harmed the voters he is addressing.
1
Mr. Blue Collar has gone out of his way to hurt Ohio's public schools.
70
Why no mention of Kasich's cozy relationship with the charter school hustlers, his largest campaign contributors, who are a joke even among charter schools? Charters backed by Kasich contributors deliver a sub-standard education to other people's kids to the tune of $1 billion a year in Ohio.
Scandal brews at his Ohio Department of Education as the accountability-for-everyone-else crowd falls all over itself to hide unsavory behavior: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/08/23/history-...
Scandal brews at his Ohio Department of Education as the accountability-for-everyone-else crowd falls all over itself to hide unsavory behavior: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/08/23/history-...
68
Charter schools is another word for segregation.
2
"Mr. Kasich vowed to reform Social Security by giving younger Americans “an opportunity to earn money through the strength of our American economy,”" of course the Ohio Democratic Party accused him of trying to hand “Social Security funds over to the same Wall Street banks that caused the Great Recession — and coincidentally turned Kasich into a millionaire.” That is exactly what he and the rest of the Republicans are doing.
All the reform social security needs is to uncap the 106,000 cap.
Privatize prisons? Public services, sounds so Koch like, and business has only one end, making money for the business person. See, for example, rotten beef for union soldiers, through the F-35 boondoggle [one of the places i disagree with Sanders].
At least be honest and vote for Trump, who makes no bones about himself and his positions.
All the reform social security needs is to uncap the 106,000 cap.
Privatize prisons? Public services, sounds so Koch like, and business has only one end, making money for the business person. See, for example, rotten beef for union soldiers, through the F-35 boondoggle [one of the places i disagree with Sanders].
At least be honest and vote for Trump, who makes no bones about himself and his positions.
19
"All the reform that Social Security needs is to uncap the $106,000 cap."
Exactly.
I'm so tired of all the hand-wringing and hysteria on SS when the solution is so obvious, simple and fair.
Uncap it and let the wealthy ante-up like the middle-class and poor have to.
Exactly.
I'm so tired of all the hand-wringing and hysteria on SS when the solution is so obvious, simple and fair.
Uncap it and let the wealthy ante-up like the middle-class and poor have to.
3
No matter his previous wall street affiliations, before John Kasich--and ever since John McCain turned tail on his maverick role--I didn't think there was another Republican I could possibly like. One I believed to be trustworthy and authentic, fair minded, solid, an independent thinker, as well as, one that's not bound by conspiracy theories or name calling, unwilling to get involved in dishing the dirt, and above being mindlessly driven by conservative ideology. His apparent open mindedness and graceful temperament and his desire to do what he believes to be best and not just expedient makes him seem better fitted in the other camp; on the other blue side of the aisle. After all it's the personal qualities and values (in addition to experience, wisdom, and creative ideas) that make a presidency; not the other way around.
4
GOP dame old, same old...
7
I watched the first republican "debate," and he sounded just as vile as the rest of them.
16
Isn't this the man who would force women to give birth to a baby with Down Syndrome? Seems a little to science fictiony for me.
42
his positions on birth control and abortion are Medieval. Hillary would make mincemeat of his vile views on women's need for reproductive healthcare. Every one of the GOP candidates for president has sold out to the religious 'right' but in Kaisch's case, he's already part of the fundamentalist religious tribe. I don't trust him or any of them.
Kudos to Obama and Clinton for standing up against the ongoing assault on a woman's right to make decisions on her own private life. Politicians should stay out of it.
Kudos to Obama and Clinton for standing up against the ongoing assault on a woman's right to make decisions on her own private life. Politicians should stay out of it.
6
Sounds as galling as forcing a taxpayer to fund abortions.
1
If I were to vote republican, he would be my guy..
I just might have to be vote for him. There is something authentic, and kind about him.
I just might have to be vote for him. There is something authentic, and kind about him.
3
Kasich is the guy who said he wants to eliminate teacher's lounges. That kind of mean spirited, childish attitude is not kind.
Kasich economic success in Ohio owes to a pair of large serendipitous factors.
1) The bailout and rejuvenation of the American auto industry by the Obama administration.
2) A windfall in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state from the fracking of the earth to extract natural gas. Many of those counties are experiencing boom times and before they were economically depressed.
However, those were fortuitous occurrences. Kasich made millions and shortly thereafter Lehman stiffed thousands of clients. Glad-handing and lobbying are not what made Ohio great. Kasich knows next to nothing about economic development, he just got lucky - personally and politically.
John Kasich is not dumb though. He is raising his profile high enough to be seriously considered to be put on the ticket as a vice-presidential candidate. Many people in pivotal Ohio, including fatuous blue-collar workers, would vote for him. And that could win the November day for Republicans.
1) The bailout and rejuvenation of the American auto industry by the Obama administration.
2) A windfall in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state from the fracking of the earth to extract natural gas. Many of those counties are experiencing boom times and before they were economically depressed.
However, those were fortuitous occurrences. Kasich made millions and shortly thereafter Lehman stiffed thousands of clients. Glad-handing and lobbying are not what made Ohio great. Kasich knows next to nothing about economic development, he just got lucky - personally and politically.
John Kasich is not dumb though. He is raising his profile high enough to be seriously considered to be put on the ticket as a vice-presidential candidate. Many people in pivotal Ohio, including fatuous blue-collar workers, would vote for him. And that could win the November day for Republicans.
36
You beat me to it. President Obama carried Ohio because of the bailout; Ohio ducked the bullet, but not because of Kasich's acumen. But, Kasich is one of the few Republican who has the potential to actually govern. Most of the candidates would be a disaster.
That doesn't mean I think he'd be a good president.
That doesn't mean I think he'd be a good president.
4
If he was one of Newt's "lieutenants," then there is nothing "moderate" or "centrist" about his politics, his demeanor (especially compared to his competitors) notwithstanding.
56
Gov. Kasich has made multiple unilateral decisions in Ohio that have excluded community shareholders and citizens. He rarely works with transparency, the JobsOhio program being only one instance. Kasich and GOP legislators privatized the state’s economic-development functions and leased the state’s liquor enterprise to a nonprofit group while making it exempt from public-records laws and public audits. He speaks of "the speed of business" but government creates laws and public policy, which should be well-crafted and thought out, not fast with no oversight.
The federal bailout of the auto industry instigated job growth in Ohio far more than any state policy. He balanced the state budget, which is required in Ohio, so not a real achievement. He did it on the backs of our children's education, cutting public education funds in favor of charter schools and forcing local districts to raise taxes to replace state funds.
Like many, he has prospered through the resources he gained while in public service. He may have come from a "hardscrabble life" but Kasich is not an advocate for the middle class.
He shows his moderate side to the world but seems to never forget from whom he gained power and money.
The federal bailout of the auto industry instigated job growth in Ohio far more than any state policy. He balanced the state budget, which is required in Ohio, so not a real achievement. He did it on the backs of our children's education, cutting public education funds in favor of charter schools and forcing local districts to raise taxes to replace state funds.
Like many, he has prospered through the resources he gained while in public service. He may have come from a "hardscrabble life" but Kasich is not an advocate for the middle class.
He shows his moderate side to the world but seems to never forget from whom he gained power and money.
88
I live in Ohio and will not vote for Governor Kasick in the likely possibility that he wins the Republican nomination for President. Kasick did not win the governorship because we were enthralled with him. We were in the middle of the recession and neither the previous Governor or Kasick could change the situation. Since that terrible time, the economy has picked up and we are in a better situation than before. It is not due to any actions of the Governor. He has been too busy trying to get nominated for Presidency. He has been in Ohio long enough to pick up some clean clothes and leave again for the road. It looks like during the last year of his governership that the office will be empty. Wonder if Ohio could stop paying him for the days he is not here.
36
Mitt Romney was in his second term as governor of MA when he ran for president. After asserting that he would serve his constituents and 'be there', he abandoned the state and even the few decent things he did here, namely the 'moderate' healthcare plan that became the prototype for the ACA. He abandoned his moderate views on abortion and moved hard right on this and other issues. So, Kitty, what you say rings true to our experience. Kasich/Romney, only out for themselves. The rest of GOP candidates are even worse sell-outs. There isn't one of presidential timber.
8
Does he travel as frequently as our fund raising president ?
I like the guy, nonetheless. In fact, there are several Republicans that impress me. A Ben Carson/Carly Fiorina ticket would be interesting.
2
Carly Fiorina drove HP into the ground and has been desperate to get elected to ANY office for decades now (e.g. failed CA governor run). I saw her speak years ago when she was testing the waters for the CA governor race and was impressed mostly with how someone so fatuous and content-free could have ever become head of HP. She would be disastrous.
7
I would give him a pass on this...I myself spent nineteen years in the investment banking field of Wall Street, before leaving the yuppies behind, and going into academia, and becoming a high school Social Studies teacher, and dealing with the challenges of my puppies...Only caveat being, that I like the overwhelming majority of people who actually work in the investment banking field, toiled in the non unionized Operations and Support areas, which the Public rarely hears about, preferring to focus on the few who actually reek the benefits and supposed stardom of the glamorous and I got the MONEY part of the field, as Mr. Kaisch! But here again, if he's anything like perhaps the few Rohaytn's and Zarbs I ran into, he deserves a pass on this...
3
Thank you for sharing your story. You're very different from Kasich, you actually went on to help people which is admirable.
There's nothing wrong with having money or making money. There's something very wrong with people who think that having money makes them better than others or that it gives them a license to harm other people.
There's nothing wrong with having money or making money. There's something very wrong with people who think that having money makes them better than others or that it gives them a license to harm other people.
1
I had to stop reading at the part that said Bush (Jeb) advised Lehman for $1.3 mil/yr for two years. Unfathomable. These good ole boys are so gross!
47
You prefer Hillary's connections and trade offs?
I like John Kasich more than I do Hillary Clinton right now but I am really sick of the term "job creator." What in the world did we used to use instead of saying that a person or company was a "job creator?" That term needs to be retired, along with "minority."
6
It's hard for me to understand how one would consider Hillary vs. Kasich or Kasich vs. Hillary, as they are polar opposites on several litmus test issues.
3
Yes, Kasich is a rightwing Christian zealot all to willing to impose his religious beliefs on women in particular.
3
This article falls flat on details and long on inference. His career on wall street is important to consider, but without more thorough reporting providing more specifics on Gov. Kasich's role at Lehman, it's speculative at best whether Gov. Kasich played a significant role in Lehman's downfall.
Gov. Kasich's proven, longstanding record in public service should be primarily what the voters consider as they enter the polls next year. He served honorably in the House as chair of its Budget Committee for years, then as a strong leader as Ohio Governor. He has proven he works well with both sides of the aisle, can balance a budget, and also make the hard but necessary decisions on which services need to be retained and which budgets need to be trimmed. And he has gained respect for communicating his message clearly, directly, and without dodging questions or mincing words.
In sum, Gov. Kasich is an excellent candidate and public servant who deserves better reporting and coverage.
Gov. Kasich's proven, longstanding record in public service should be primarily what the voters consider as they enter the polls next year. He served honorably in the House as chair of its Budget Committee for years, then as a strong leader as Ohio Governor. He has proven he works well with both sides of the aisle, can balance a budget, and also make the hard but necessary decisions on which services need to be retained and which budgets need to be trimmed. And he has gained respect for communicating his message clearly, directly, and without dodging questions or mincing words.
In sum, Gov. Kasich is an excellent candidate and public servant who deserves better reporting and coverage.
22
No, but when Kasich calls for Americans to avail themselves of american prosperity by investing Social Security in the Stock Market, the vehicle in which he avoided personal destruction when Lehman went bust, and which has lost over 10% of its value in three days, that is called barking up the wrong tree.
1
Lehman Brothers actual downfall began back when Lewis Zuckerman ran the trading! Yet he and Peterson always get a pass, just like Weill, who seems to always be like Teflon, that no nonsense Bensonhurst bully he was! Incredible!!!
the article never inferred that Kasich had any 'significant' role in Lehman's downfall. It is, however, calling him out for his superficial humility that he continues to inflate about himself even though he clearly is a 1%-er that got lucky through his political ties and has advanced the corrupt oligarchical machine that runs Washington.
In this field of GOP hopefuls, he may be 'excellent' by sub-par standards, but he has little chance of making it to the final round. A possible VP nomination at best.
And I'm curious about why you consider him to be a great leader?
In this field of GOP hopefuls, he may be 'excellent' by sub-par standards, but he has little chance of making it to the final round. A possible VP nomination at best.
And I'm curious about why you consider him to be a great leader?
3
8 years at Lehman Brothers and this is all the NYT can dig up? Kasich claims that he knows how to create jobs but you don't analyze this claim at all. Surely he has a track record on job creation that you could shed some light on but instead you offer this folksy portrait of a seemingly extremely average politician.
9
He has fed at the public trough except for Lehman Bros where he learned the best way to butter his own bread.
3
I know what we need. More Social Security eligible, AARP card holding, career politician old white men like those running on the Democratic side. Oh, of course, the Democrats throw in an old, Social Security eligible, AARP card holding, Wall Street owned white woman who wipes her email server clean with a cloth. All from the northeastern part of the country (sorry Jim Webb, but The Times hasn't even run a hit job on you, so I guess you're not too important). At least the Republicans throw in a little diversity in their show, between a woman, an African-American brain surgeon, and a couple of Latinos, candidates from almost all parts of the country.
Cruz the Canadian Cuban married to money, and Rubio, the Florida Cuban owned by the car dealer, are not what I view as Latinos, but are part of the problem.
3
The old white men epithet belongs to the Republicans. They knew when Romney ran that they had to appeal to Latinos. After Obama won in 2012, they stated they had learned their lesson and knew they had to appeal to Blacks, Hispanics, and women. Instead they have compulsively alienated all three.
GOP candidates may have a modicum of diversity--on paper--until you remember Sara Palin and a certain Black candidate who rode high and then crashed and burned because he couldn't keep his hands to himself. Then you have Rubio, with no foreign policy experience who is going nowhere because he's Cuban American. As for Cruz, he'd turn the USA into a theocracy tout sweet. So much for diversity.
GOP candidates may have a modicum of diversity--on paper--until you remember Sara Palin and a certain Black candidate who rode high and then crashed and burned because he couldn't keep his hands to himself. Then you have Rubio, with no foreign policy experience who is going nowhere because he's Cuban American. As for Cruz, he'd turn the USA into a theocracy tout sweet. So much for diversity.
3
If Obama had not saved the auto industry in 2009 Ohio would have been so bad off Kasich would not have even run for Governor in 2011.
77
What is Kasich's position on abortion in Ohio? Will he sign the bill, which according to yesterday's NYT, the Ohio legislature is poised to pass. If he signs it, in derogation of the Constitution, we will know his stand on the rule of law in America.
54
"in derogation of the Constitution"
Not in derogation of the constitution but a POSSIBLE derogation of Roe v Wade which is not part of the constitution but a judgment by the Supreme Court.
Of course if you equate the constitution with SC judgments then you would have to say that it is part of the constitution that corporations are people. Why do I suspect that you will not say that?
Not in derogation of the constitution but a POSSIBLE derogation of Roe v Wade which is not part of the constitution but a judgment by the Supreme Court.
Of course if you equate the constitution with SC judgments then you would have to say that it is part of the constitution that corporations are people. Why do I suspect that you will not say that?
1
Kasich tries to paint his political views as his virtues. They're nothing to boast about. He is a culture warrior cross dressing as a 'conservative pragmatist' a nonsense if ever there was one. Frankly, I can't stand to listen to him whine, he sounds like a petulant child.
31
If we're going to be electing callous son's of postal workers, then why not go to the top and nominate Lloyd Blankfein instead of second-string Kasich?
12
Kasich is a hard core conservative who is just like the rest of the field. He has the same strategy for the demise of unions and the middle class and for voter suppression. Never underestimate the stupidity of the American voter as evidenced by the election of all these hard core anti American Republcians.
57
I think the current administration in the White House are better proof of your judgement of the American voter.
Richard - Nice try but anyone who reads financial news knows that President Obama has been good for this country, likewise anyone who follows issues like health care, the environment and equality.
1
Kasich can pimp his childhood in McKees Rocks, just outside of Pittsburgh, all he likes.
He will not win a Presidential vote in McKees Rocks, Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania.
There are still too many descendants of United Steelworkers, United Autoworkers and United Mineworkers, who know their dad had a good union job, that provided a good life, that sent them to college and afforded their parents a good retirement to vote for a loan shark for the 1%.
He will not win a Presidential vote in McKees Rocks, Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania.
There are still too many descendants of United Steelworkers, United Autoworkers and United Mineworkers, who know their dad had a good union job, that provided a good life, that sent them to college and afforded their parents a good retirement to vote for a loan shark for the 1%.
121
These days we need candidates that are not circus performing demagogs (Trump), extremists or ideologues (Walker, Cruz, Carson, Paul etc), corporatacrasists (Carly), anger/weight/personnel challenged candidates(Christie), Jeb Bush (establishment candidate who wants to follow the policies of his admitted war criminal brother).
Kasich could be one of them, a moderate Republican, ie don't expect him to do anything brilliant just rein in any excesses of the democrats, not be a admitted war criminal like Bush 2 etc.
If he does that he can challenge Hillary, especially if she becomes another McCann and picks useless wars to fight, runs as a woman instead of a American and doesn't go to charm school.
Kasich could be one of them, a moderate Republican, ie don't expect him to do anything brilliant just rein in any excesses of the democrats, not be a admitted war criminal like Bush 2 etc.
If he does that he can challenge Hillary, especially if she becomes another McCann and picks useless wars to fight, runs as a woman instead of a American and doesn't go to charm school.
2
Please review your definition of moderate. Kasich is to the right of President Eisenhower, and the disgraced Richard Nixon. He only looks moderate compared to, say the rest of the field except possibly Bush.
3
sir, your misogyny is showing.
1
whistling...not quite...hillary is playing the victim card...it is one of the reasons she lost to Obama, he ran as an American not as a black..Americans want an American as President not a woman, man or black. It is fine to fight for some women issues but not to run as a woman...Obama finally broke thru when he ran as an American, not a victim card black...
1
I looked at him, thought maybe? but his do-nothing approach to climate change tells me he's just like the rest, bought and paid for by the likes of the Koch brothers and their brethren. no thanks.
58
Illuminating but not surprising. Behind every "I grew up poor" candidate (excepting Bernie) is a guy or gal with connections. Kasich seems to embody what every red-blooded pol does once he exits office: cash in on the strength of his political ties.
That Kasich still touts his "business acumen" is striking given the collapse of the firm he worked at. As the article points out, Kasich new absolutely nothing about banking when he needed a job, which was certainly no disqualifier. Now imagine if you or I wanted to change careers with no experience. There is no comparison between a pol with ties and the average American joe or jane.
Kasich also reminds me of Rubio--touting his decidedly non-fancy immigrant upbringing and college debt, while preferring not to linger over the role of his personal sugar daddy Bramante who has ensured Rubio doesn't have to worry any more.
You know, in one sense, I almost prefer a Trump who shows no inconsistency between his love of wealth and his success. At least he has the bluntness to expose the quid pro quos of politics, stating the obvious: 1) political power, even after office, opens doors in ways not available to ordinary Americans; and 2), nobody in political life gives you something without expecting something in return.
Kasich may have flown under the radar over the course of his career trying to combine blue-collarism with investment banking. But I'm not sure he can continue to do so in today's age of angry populism.
That Kasich still touts his "business acumen" is striking given the collapse of the firm he worked at. As the article points out, Kasich new absolutely nothing about banking when he needed a job, which was certainly no disqualifier. Now imagine if you or I wanted to change careers with no experience. There is no comparison between a pol with ties and the average American joe or jane.
Kasich also reminds me of Rubio--touting his decidedly non-fancy immigrant upbringing and college debt, while preferring not to linger over the role of his personal sugar daddy Bramante who has ensured Rubio doesn't have to worry any more.
You know, in one sense, I almost prefer a Trump who shows no inconsistency between his love of wealth and his success. At least he has the bluntness to expose the quid pro quos of politics, stating the obvious: 1) political power, even after office, opens doors in ways not available to ordinary Americans; and 2), nobody in political life gives you something without expecting something in return.
Kasich may have flown under the radar over the course of his career trying to combine blue-collarism with investment banking. But I'm not sure he can continue to do so in today's age of angry populism.
84
Kasich is going nowhere fast. It seems likely that a reasonable person taking moderate positions has no chance in the Republican primary. See John Huntsman.
4
I recommended but I think Kasich is right wing, moderate or in comparison to the rest of the field.
2
Don't besmirch John Huntsman in the same sentence as kasich.
5
Kasich is not a banker so let's not try to paint him as one just because he worked for Lehman. His voice is much needed in today's Republican Party, entirely preoccupied with insane social issues and an unhealthy obsession with Hillary Clinton's e-mail server. It's truly a shame that he hasn't garnered more press. As an independent, I hope that he makes it to the primaries and I look forward to hearing more from him in the debates. Of the 17 or so GOP candidates he's the only one that has even remotely piqued my interest.
2
You're right. John Kasich is not a banker. He just got paid millions for sitting in a banker's office. What did he do to earn all that money since, as you say, he's "not a banker." This is rank corruption.
96
Except, of course, he calls himself a banker.
19
It's the right that keeps going to court to keep people from making their own health care decisions or marrying the person they love. Democrats simply ask that everyone be treated equally, Republicans turn around and spend millions of dollars and countless hours fighting for the ability to treat people like second class citizens.
Please...aggressively anti-abortion, anti-female, fought the Unions just like Walker, part of Newt's attempt to shut down the government...on and on. Ohio has lagged behind many other states in employment - reminds me of "kinder gentler" republican that drove the country to utter disaster. He is absolutely no different than the others falling out of the 17 seat clown car.
113
Otto, since half the aborted fetuses are female, I have difficulty equating "anti-abortion" and "anti-female".
Perhaps the US could do a mirror image of some states in India where female fetuses are frequently aborted. If the US ONLY aborted male fetuses then it would be consistent to equate "anti-abortion" with "anti-female".
But I am not holding my breath for that moment to come.
Perhaps the US could do a mirror image of some states in India where female fetuses are frequently aborted. If the US ONLY aborted male fetuses then it would be consistent to equate "anti-abortion" with "anti-female".
But I am not holding my breath for that moment to come.
1
Rohit - I'm a woman who finds the whole idea of abortion very disturbing. The only thing more disturbing is men thinking they have the right to tell women which medical procedures they can and can't have access to. I hope that clears it up for you.
Here's a career Republican politician who managed to exploit the political favors he did to land a lucrative Wall Street bank job though he "knew zero" about banking. Now he's a multimillionaire running to become president of the United States. Sure shows you don't have to know anything to make money--just suck up to those who already have it. Just what we need in the White House--a "businessman" from the failed Lehman firm that shattered the American economy in 2008. whose understanding of success is to sell yourself to the wealthy and do their bidding at the expense of the rest of us.
The saddest thing, though, is the John Kasich is the best the Republicans have on offer.
The saddest thing, though, is the John Kasich is the best the Republicans have on offer.
144
"Mr. Kasich also made introductions for Lehman to Ohio state pension funds, which drew the ire of Democrats after the funds lost hundreds of millions of dollars in ill-fated investments with the bank. Mr. Kasich has said his contacts did not result in any business for Lehman."
I don't understand this. He made the introductions. Lehman than lost hundreds of millions. So did they forego income from this debacle? And weren't Republicans also angry over the lost funds?
I don't understand this. He made the introductions. Lehman than lost hundreds of millions. So did they forego income from this debacle? And weren't Republicans also angry over the lost funds?
40
The private sector has way too much sway over Government. Whether it is Kasich's own history, or others', or lobbying, or campaign funding, our leaders and legislation are more aligned with Wall Street than with Main Street.
27
Can you say HILLARY?
4
A relatively mild attempt to smear Mr. Kasich for his association with Lehman. Note, if Kasich had in fact been involved with issuing CMO's of other mortgage packed obligations the Times would surely have played this up big. Kasich is a Republican moderate and there are too few of them. Unfortunately, intelligent and capable Republicans are being ignored by the vast unwashed legion of disaffected white males who flock to the "trumpet" call of demagogues.
20
Unfortunately, all of our slurs on the republicans ... "vast unwashed legion of disaffected white males who flock to the "trumpet" call of demagogues" apply directly to the progressives who are flocking to Sanders. We have no credible candidate this year.
1
John, what are you talking about? How does any of that apply to Bernie Sanders?
12
I never got a job paying even double digits when I knew nothing about the job, let alone millions. That stinks.
3
Seems like a traditional Republican to me. Not a right wing ideologue, like Scott Walker, just a guy who has peddled his influence successfully to rich clients and thinks the road to success for places like Ohio is privatization of public services and providing tax incentives to businesses to locate in his state. If you believe this is an approach that would be good for you or for the USA, then maybe you should vote for him. He is a somewhat more modest version of Mitt Romney.
46
He is just like Walker, except Koch is not his middle name, but check his union busting, education strangling etc.. All he is doing is funneling money to himself and his backers, the oldest game in town.
6
Despite his claims Ohio has lagged the rest of the nation in new job creation for his entire tenure.
76
Ohio is actually doing very well if you omit the temporary oil boom jobs.
2