Kasich refused to blast GOP opponents in 2nd debate
Several Republican presidential candidates exchanged barbs and insults during their second debate – with billionaire frontrunner Donald Trump usually right in the middle of it.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich refused to sling mud during Wednesday’s debate in Simi Valley, Calif., but that left him silent for several lengthy periods of time during nearly three hours of discussion.
At one point, Kasich stepped in to say if he were watching the debate back home “I’d turn it off.”
He added that “it’s important we get to the issues ’cause that’s what the people want.”
Kasich, who is 10th in the national polls, according to Real Clear Politics, said during the debate that it’s important to work with other countries to resolve world issues.
He said: “We are stronger when we work with the Western civilization” and “We need to build our relationships with allies.”
While he didn’t say much – at one point his voice wasn’t heard for about 30 minutes and for about 25 minutes another time – Kasich hit on his familiar talking points when given the opportunity.
The governor said he helped balance the federal budget and cut taxes when he was in the U.S. House, and during his time as governor the state has grown 300,000 jobs and turned an $8 million deficit into a $2 billion surplus.
“I’m the only one here to do it in both places,” he said.
But T. J. Helmstetter, Midwest press secretary for the Democratic National Committee, said: “Kasich’s economy has been great for the top 5 percent, not so much for everyone else. He signed $400 million in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, but the poorest 20 percent of Ohioans only received an average $4 tax cut. That’s four dollars, not 4 percent.”
Kasich said he wasn’t interested in criticizing the 10 other Republican candidates on the stage with him, and was more focused on letting people not familiar with him know about his accomplishments.
He also talked of the importance of Ohio in the presidential election.
“I’m from Ohio, [Hillary Clinton] will not beat me there. I guarantee that,” Kasich said with conviction.
The 11 Republican candidates answered questions on a variety of topics including immigration, foreign affairs, the economy and Supreme Court appointments.
With Trump dominating the debate, others had trouble breaking through.
But Carly Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard chief executive officer, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida were able to make points.
Ex-Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida had to defend the records of his father, George H.W. Bush, and his brother, George W. Bush, both former presidents.