By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, August 17, Ohio Governor and Republican Presidential contender John Kasich (R) was in Birmingham, Alabama to personally accept the endorsement of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
Gov. Bentley said in a statement, “John Kasich’s success in putting conservative ideas to work in Ohio—cutting taxes $5 billion, turning an $8 billion shortfall into a $2 billion surplus, and creating 350,000 new jobs—are all strengths he will have as President….With his record as governor and his two decades on the House Armed Services Committee working with leaders like President Reagan to strengthen our military, end the Cold War and revamp the Pentagon, John Kasich is a leader whose readiness to lead our nation on his first day in the Oval Office is unmatched. America needs John Kasich”
Gov. Kasich said, “I am excited about the Southern Primary. We will be very competitive in the Southern Primary and this guy (Bentley) will be right there with me.”
Bentley is the first Governor to endorse Kasich. The governors of Maine and Maryland have both endorsed Gov. Chris Christie (R from New Jersey).
Gov. Bentley told AL.com’s Chuck Dean that Kasich is the most qualified Republican running. He cited Kasich’s 18 years in the US Congress where he was head of the powerful House and Ways Committee. Bentley told Dean that Kasich would help move back to the center.
The decision to endorse the Ohio moderate drew state wide and even national reaction.
State Rep. Darrio Melton (D-Selma) said, “Governor Bentley has just announced that he is endorsing Ohio Governor John Kasich for President of the United States. Governor Kasich has been faulted by many Republicans for stepping up and expanding Medicaid in Ohio, although he has doubled-down on his decision several times.” “In the first Republican debate, Kasich stood by his decision again, reminding viewers that President Reagan expanded Medicaid multiple times. Yet our own governor, who is endorsing Kasich for showing leadership and having a heart for people, refuses to show the very same leadership to save Alabama lives, keep our rural hospitals open, create jobs and return Alabama dollars to our state where they belong.”
Alabama Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Worley said:
“It is ironic that Alabama’s Republican Gov. Robert Bentley refuses to expand Medicaid funding for Alabama, yet today he endorsed Republican Gov. John Kasich for President, a Republican who accepted and praised Medicaid funding expansion for his state….Gov. Bentley’s refusal to expand Medicaid funding for Alabama, and the Republican Legislative supermajority’s failure to pass a General Fund Budget after two attempts, shows how out-of-touch the Republican Party is with Alabamians.”
House Minority Leader Craig Ford (D from Gadsden) wrote:
“Gov. Bentley should follow the lead of the man he endorsed for President and accept expanded Medicaid funding for Alabama. Democratic lawmakers have long supported this expansion, along with a lottery, to help resolve our state’s financial crisis.”
The Alabama Constitutional Conservatives posted on Facebook:
“Governor Kasich must not know that Governor Bentley doesn’t keep his word!! This is one endorsement I wouldn’t want. Oh wait, Kasich is considered a Moderate, now it makes sense!!”
The Washington Post’s Philip Rucker is reporting than a Kasich campaign official has suggested that Gov. Bentley could play a leadership role in the campaign as a senior adviser or surrogate. Gov. Bentley did not formally endorse anyone in the 2012 Republican Primary.
Gov. Kasich said in an interview on Sunday, “I don’t read a Bible to figure out what I think.”
Alabama has been a hotbed of presidential candidates this summer. In addition to Gov. Kasich, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has been here; Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I) has made a stop here; Dr. Ben Carson has visited the State at least three times over the summer; Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been here; and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) will be in Talladega on Saturday, August 22 to address Alabama Republicans at their Summer Luncheon. Sen. Cruz will return to Alabama on August 25 when he will be the speaker at the Tuscaloosa County Republican Party’s event.
Republican Presidential candidates at this point include:
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, New Jersey businessman Donald Trump, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, former New York Governor George Pataki, California businesswoman Carly Fiorina, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Ohio Governor John Kasich, and former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore.
The Alabama Presidential Primary is March 1.
