New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told Republican backers at a rally in Independence Monday giving Republican Ohio Governor John Kasich a resounding victory in November will send a message that the party's policies are working. Christie was joined at the get-out-the-vote rally by Kasich, U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio and other prominent Republicans. Nick Castele of member station WCPN in Cleveland reports.
Christie joined Kasich, at a crane company in Independence. Christie is the chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, and has been campaigning for a number of GOP colleagues.
Christie said Kasich held fast to conservative principles, but also wanted an expansive Republican Party.
CHRISTIE: “But wants our party to be bigger and better than it’s ever been before. Wants our party to be the party that knows how to reach across the aisle and get to compromise. Wants our party to be the one that governs.”
(cheers, fade under)
Kasich said a second-term administration would advocate what he termed personal responsibility for low-income Ohioans…….and that he would encourage the better off to assist people in need apart from government intervention.
KASICH: “We’re going to get you involved. You, the values that you have pf personal responsibility and discipline and hard work and loving your neighbor. We need you to transfer these values to some of those that are confused about it.”
The event was billed as a get-out-the-vote rally. But just it got underway, the U-S Supreme Court announced it was staying a federal ruling that set this week as the start of early voting in Ohio.
That news was a victory in court for Republicans who appealed the ruling….but it received only a passing mention by speakers. Democrats criticized Republicans for holding a voting rally while pushing for the stay.