For all his talk of turning around the Buckeye State on the campaign trail, Kasich is a creature of Washington and has drawn a slew of former colleagues and K Streeters who have signed onto his steering committee to give him a financial lift.At a time when Republicans say that they value new ideas over experience, does it really help Kasich that so many of his key backers are old Washington insiders?
...
New Day for America — the super PAC supporting Kasich — raised more than $11 million before he officially announced his bid. The group doesn't have to report its next haul until January. New Day for America spokeswoman Connie Wehrkamp said the group's "fundraising continues to be steady."
New Day for America has already aired an ad touting Kasich's experience in New Hampshire, a vitally important primary for the Ohio governor. The group plans to double its buy in October, bringing the total amount spent by New Day for America and New Day Independent Media Committee to $6.5 million from July through the end of October, according to a source familiar with the effort. The super PAC is building out its grassroots infrastructure with a staff in New Hampshire and has also had volunteer call operations in Ohio making contacts with voters in the Granite State since mid-August.
...
Kasich, who is in fourth place in the ClearPolitics Granite State poll with 9 percent, was endorsed Friday by former Sen. Gordon J. Humphrey of New Hampshire.
“Right now we’re focusing on raising money in the campaign fund and we think we are doing a good job,” said Bob Rusbuldt, co-chair of Kasich's steering committee. “The governor is in this for the long haul and we’re going to have the resources to do that.”
...
Rusbuldt, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, and Tiberi, a former Kasich staffer, are leading the Ohio Republican's roughly 50-person steering panel. It is filled with a retinue of Washington politicos, including former Reps. Bob Walker (R-Pa.), Pete Hoekstra (R-Pa.), Dan Burton (R-Ind.), Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), Jim Walsh (R-N.Y.) and Chris Shays (R-Conn).
Ages:
- Humphrey 74
- Walker 72
- Hoekstra 61
- Burton 77
- Bachus 67
- Walsh 68
- Shays 69
