South Carolina – John Kasich, Ohio Governor and Presidential Candidate, got the endorsement of Governor Robert Bentley of Alabama on Monday, which gives him the opportunity to build support for the Republican presidential nomination, broadening geographically outside key primary states.

These are big news for Kasich, who just entered the race less than a month ago. Not only did he get Bentley´s  endorsement- a past supporter for Mike Huckabee, the ex-governor of Arkansas who’s  running for president too -, but he also filed papers for the first GOP presidential primary in the South scheduled for February 20th in South Carolina, where he is heading next week.

Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks to the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Board and 250 guests at the Dayton Convention Center February 16 2011. Kasich outlined his Jobs Ohio plan and took questions from the crowd.
Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks to the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Board and 250 guests at the Dayton Convention Center February 16 2011. Kasich outlined his Jobs Ohio plan and took questions from the crowd.

Kasich also made a stop in Myrtle Beach, a preferred vacation spot to Americans living in the South, where he gave a strong message related to the strengthening of relationships.

“Relationships matter,” Kasich said. “You know why Congress doesn’t function anymore? Because there are no relationships. Nobody has a relationship with anybody else, and the same is true with our allies”.

As to other international issues, Kasich said that if he is elected President, he will “re-ignite the flame of the ability to change the world in which we live”, referring to building relationships internationally, like with the Israelis, to ensure America’s position in the world.

The Governor also clarified some comments he made criticizing Iraq war, even though he had supported it in 2002 and is now pro war with the self-called Islamic State.

“Based on what we knew, that’s one thing. But if there hadn’t been any reports on whether there were weapons of mass destruction, of course I would have been against it,” Kasich told reporters. “You do a hundred interviews, and people take things out of context or whatever. It’s just all part of the game.”

Kasich finished his speech with a very well-received message. “Happiness doesn’t come chasing after us,” he said. “It comes from living a life bigger than yourself and helping other people.”

Source: John Kasich Site