Kasich needs to focus more on Ohio’s issues

Gov. John Kasich is spending too much time out of the office these days.

Take (the last week of April) as the latest example. Kasich made the rounds on the Sunday morning news shows, appeared on a CNN town-hall forum Monday night and on Fox Tuesday morning.

Next he’ll be off on a twoweek cross-country tour to promote his latest book, “Two Paths: America Divided or United,” which was released Tuesday(, April 25). The tour includes stops in New Hampshire, Illinois, California and even a couple in Ohio, on April 29 and 30. But his travels apparently won’t bring him back to Columbus until mid-May . ...

Kasich has been a frequent flier since being elected governor in 2010.

He spent much time away from Columbus to run for president in 2015 and 2016, and has regularly lobbied in other states for one of his main causes: a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution . ...

... How much governing can one do on the campaign trail, and when would there be time for writing a book?

Kasich is a smart, effective leader, who has surrounded himself with a capable administration and department heads. That may allow him to juggle many of his duties as the state’s chief executive with his laptop and cellphone.

But a case could still be made that Kasich should spend more time dealing with Ohio’s problems and issues . ...

As recently as April 24, on CBS News, Kasich said it’s unlikely he’ll seek elected office again. Still, no one should be surprised if he runs for president in 2020.

The governor would be doing himself a favor if he spends more time in Ohio over the next 20 months. Someday, after all, he may need this state’s voters again.