2016 CAMPAIGN
BLADE POLITICS WRITER
Television ads touting Ohio Gov. John Kasich started running Tuesday in Michigan and Ohio as the moment of truth approaches for Mr. Kasich’s campaign to win the GOP presidential nomination.
Mr. Kasich’s campaign started advertising a commercial called “Progress” in Michigan. And his Super PAC, New Day for America, released an ad called “Meow,” which has been used in other states.
The Michigan ad, paid for by the governor’s campaign, notes 20 million out-of-work Americans and contains his campaign theme of creating 400,000 jobs in Ohio during his tenure as governor. He also promises to “reshore” American jobs. The same ad ran last week in Massachusetts.
Michigan is set to vote Tuesday, while Ohio votes on March 15.
The “Meow” ad hit Ohio the same day Donald Trump rallied in supporters at the Columbus airport, where he vowed to win Ohio from Mr. Kasich.
The “Meow” ad illustrates the name-calling going on between the other candidates, while Mr. Kasich says he doesn’t resort to calling names.
New Day spokesman Connie Wehrkamp said, “It’s sad and alarming to see the race for leader of the free world reduced to obscenities and personal insults.”
Mr. Kasich plans to campaign in Ann Arbor, Grand Blanc, and Warren, Mich., today. He will appear in a Republican debate in Detroit sponsored by Fox News Thursday night, and has campaign stops planned for Holland, Marquette, Traverse City, and Saginaw on Friday and Saturday.
Mr. Kasich has been struggling for recognition as a candidate. A new national poll by CNN Tuesday showed Mr. Kasich the least known of the candidates, with 11 percent of Republican voters having never heard of him.
Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.
