"Ohio Gov. John Kasich said he is concerned about a political landscape in which a handful of rich people “get to pick who's going to be president.”
He criticized U.S. campaign finance laws while speaking at a luncheon Wednesday in Concord.
Kasich, a Republican considering a run for the White House, was responding to a question from a state lawmaker about the timetable for his decision.
“I am a little bit concerned about a handful of people that can provide the fuel for people to be able to compete,” Kasich said. “Something we have to think about – a handful of people who can, more or less, begin to pick who the president ought to be, OK, based solely on money. I don’t know how you
deal with that problem, but we all ought to think about it."
Kasich told the press following his remarks that he was not referring to the Koch Brothers, or to any specific billionaire in the country.
His point, he said, is that the system makes it tougher for candidates without deep-pocketed supporters to compete. He did not specify a proposed solution and he noted the challenge in striking a balance.
“Every time we change the campaign finance laws we find we don’t like the way we changed them,” he said.
The luncheon at the Barley House restaurant was co-hosted by the New Hampshire House Business Caucus and Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. The audience was a mix of state lawmakers and local business people.
Kasich’s visit is his first to New Hampshire since a state GOP “First in the Nation” leadership summit about three weeks ago in Nashua.
Kasich began his remarks by talking about efforts to create a pro-growth climate in Ohio. The former congressman, who briefly ran for president 16 years ago, also spoke about the importance of balancing the budget and creating jobs. He paid quick homage to New Hampshire with its lack of a state income tax or sales tax.
He said he is focusing on introducing himself to likely voters and keeping a positive message.
When a state representative asked him about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Kasich waved off the question.
“I’m not getting into Hillary today – sorry Hillary,” he said. “If I’ve got to spend my time trashing people to be successful in this, you can count me out. I’m not interested in that. I want to advance my ideas.” ManchesterUnionLeader
He criticized U.S. campaign finance laws while speaking at a luncheon Wednesday in Concord.
Kasich, a Republican considering a run for the White House, was responding to a question from a state lawmaker about the timetable for his decision.
“I am a little bit concerned about a handful of people that can provide the fuel for people to be able to compete,” Kasich said. “Something we have to think about – a handful of people who can, more or less, begin to pick who the president ought to be, OK, based solely on money. I don’t know how you
Kasich told the press following his remarks that he was not referring to the Koch Brothers, or to any specific billionaire in the country.
His point, he said, is that the system makes it tougher for candidates without deep-pocketed supporters to compete. He did not specify a proposed solution and he noted the challenge in striking a balance.
“Every time we change the campaign finance laws we find we don’t like the way we changed them,” he said.
The luncheon at the Barley House restaurant was co-hosted by the New Hampshire House Business Caucus and Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. The audience was a mix of state lawmakers and local business people.
Kasich’s visit is his first to New Hampshire since a state GOP “First in the Nation” leadership summit about three weeks ago in Nashua.
Kasich began his remarks by talking about efforts to create a pro-growth climate in Ohio. The former congressman, who briefly ran for president 16 years ago, also spoke about the importance of balancing the budget and creating jobs. He paid quick homage to New Hampshire with its lack of a state income tax or sales tax.
He said he is focusing on introducing himself to likely voters and keeping a positive message.
When a state representative asked him about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Kasich waved off the question.
“I’m not getting into Hillary today – sorry Hillary,” he said. “If I’ve got to spend my time trashing people to be successful in this, you can count me out. I’m not interested in that. I want to advance my ideas.” ManchesterUnionLeader
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