What is political world saying about John Kasich today?

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's second place finish in New Hampshire has lit a fire under his campaign. He defeated establishment candidates Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Chris Christie and is trying to establish himself as the establishment candidate.

Here's a look at what political pundits, elected officials and others were saying about Kasich today:

"He (Kasich) talks about closing military bases, and most people in South Carolina, we have a lot of military infrastructure and we need to draw up our military." - South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is supporting Bush, told the New York Times.

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Kasich is everything Trump is not. He's experienced – serving nine terms in Congress before becoming governor; bipartisan – the twice-elected chief executive of critical swing state Ohio; thoughtful ­– he's consistently touted realistic and detailed policy platforms, and even The New York Times endorsed him as "the only plausible choice for Republicans tired of the extremism and inexperience on display in this race." He'd be a formidable opponent to Democrats in the general election. - Emily Arrowood, columnist for US News

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"He (Kasich) should buy Chris Christie a steak dinner for his hand in changing the entire momentum of the race in New Hampshire just three days before the primary." - former Mississippi Gov. and former chair of the Republican National Committee Haley Barbour, told the New York Times.

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"What's clear is that Christie's suicide attack against Rubio had an impact on voters who turned to Kasich and Bush as an alternative." - Republican strategist Ron Bonjean in U.S. News

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"Maybe the biggest winner in New Hampshire was Ohio Governor John Kasich, "rhymes with basic." Kasich was determined to stick to his guns ignoring Iowa and emphasizing New Hampshire. He, along with Jeb Bush, has consistently taken the high road, while other candidates played to the extremes. Kasich was rewarded and delivered the promise to Latinos across the United States that the Republican Party has not yet truly forsaken them." - Rick Sanchez of Fox News

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"Ideology was one of the biggest cleavages in Kasich's support. He received 28 percent of self-identified moderates, compared with 14 percent of "somewhat conservative" voters and 7 percent of those identifying as "very conservative." Moderates made up more than a quarter of the Republican electorate in the state -- down from previous years -- and while Kasich was eclipsed by Trump's 32-percent support with this group, he beat Bush's 14 percent and Rubio's 8 percent." - Emily Guskin, Washington Post

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