By LA QUINTA CLARK
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich brought his Midwestern twang to the boroughs of the Bronx and Brooklyn on Thursday, getting a taste of Italian food in one borough and exhibiting his talent for wisecracks in the other, in his quixotic quest for New Yorker votes in the upcoming primary.
The Ohio Governor first visited Mike’s Deli near Fordham University to savor the specialties, including two kinds of pasta, an Italian hero and sips of wine.
“I ate so much,” said Kasich. “What I love the most about New York is its neighborhoods.”
“He’s likeable,” said Stephen Cerny, a Midwest-raised former Democrat turned Republican because of Kasich. “We could use a Midwestern sensibility in the White House.”
Bay Ridge Manor hosted the campaign where former TV personality Montel Williams – who served in both the Marines and Navy – acted as the emcee.
“I believe in this country and I put my life on the line on so many occasions,” said Williams, “Amateur hour is over; the vision I see him have for America is inclusive, tolerant, and an America that is equal for all of us.”
Kasich spoke from inside what looked like a boxing ring, surrounded on all sides, to a group many of whom voiced the belief that he was the best candidate given his experience and his ability to show civility on the campaign trail. Many listeners seemed charmed by his folksy manner.
“You’re not taking the low road to the highest office the in land,” said a former Fordham graduate.
Kasich replied, “Do you know why God made pundits, to make astrologers look accurate,” prompting laughter.
“You don’t have to attack the family to win,” said Kasich.
“He has experience,” said another supporter. “The president of the United States is not just for us, he is for the world,”
“He has executive experience,” said Cedric Malone of Brooklyn, “He doesn’t train on the job, there has to be change from the status quo.”
Kasich said that in order to turn the nation around, he would use some of the same strategies as he did in Ohio: “Balance the budget, lower taxes, common sense regulations, and don’t leave anybody behind.” Kasich also said, “You have to move quickly in order to get things done.”
“How are you going to make the schools better?” asked Ezra, a Brooklyn pre-k student.
“When the grownups decide you are more important than the grownups working with you,” the candidate replied.
Another audience member asked, “How do you plan to combat criminalization of drug use?”
“We don’t want to lock up non-violent felons with murderers and rapists, we want to confine them in another space and help them,” he said/
He also supported local control and vowed to “freeze all federal regulations within the first 100 days in office.”
“He’s a practical guy,” said Yasmin.
Aside from the hardcore questions and answers, Kasich had time to joke about his opponents and how they would spend their first 100 days in office.
“Trump will spend the first 100 days trying to figure out where the bathrooms are,” he said.
Again, the crowd erupted into laughter as they stood clapping and cheering, as he gave his final thought. “The spirit of our country is in you,” he said, before leaving.
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