Republican Kasich has his moment

Manchester ( New Hampshire), Feb. 10: Republican John Kasich surged into national view following Tuesday’s New Hampshire presidential primary, clinching a coveted second- place finish by betting on his image as an experienced, more moderate optimist compared to his firebrand rivals.

The Ohio governor won about 16 per cent of the vote after staking his White House dreams on this small north- eastern state, where he ran an intense campaign that was often left out of a spotlight that favoured negativity and bombast on the 2016 trail.

He has lagged in national polls at around four per cent, but his showing in New Hampshire may signal a reversal of fortune.

“There’s magic in the air with this campaign,” an elated but thoughtful Mr Kasich told supporters after the results came in.

“We see this as an opportunity for all of us — and I mean all of us — to be involved in something that’s bigger than our own lives: to change America.”

Mr Kasich travelled to New Hampshire dozens of times starting last March — months before he declared himself a candidate for President.

He took part in 106 town hall- style campaign events.

Affable and seemingly relaxed on the campaign trail, the 63- year- old Mr Kasich largely refrained from attacking his opponents, projecting a relentlessly positive image that set him apart from his combative rivals.