Insert all appropriate caveats about the importance of endorsements — i.e., not much at all, and maybe nothing — and note that John Kasich is touting his endorsement by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley:
“John Kasich’s success in putting conservative ideas to work in Ohio—cutting taxes $5 billion, turning an $8 billion shortfall into a $2 billion surplus, and creating 350,000 new jobs—are all strengths he will have as President. Coupled with John Kasich’s compassion for the people he serves and desire to make their lives better, our country will be stronger with him as President. Governors are best suited to lead our country because they have experience running a state. With his record as governor and his two decades on the House Armed Services Committee working with leaders like President Reagan to strengthen our military, end the Cold War and revamp the Pentagon, John Kasich is a leader whose readiness to lead our nation on his first day in the Oval Office is unmatched. America needs John Kasich, and I am going to do everything I can to help make sure he is our next President,” said Bentley.
Bentley is in his second term as Governor of Alabama. He won re-election by the largest margin of any modern-day Republican governor in Alabama.
“I’m humbled by Governor Bentley’s support,” said Kasich. “The endorsement of a fellow governor is special, especially from someone like Governor Bentley who brings so much to his work and who has such an incredible record of service to his state and our country. What’s also significant to me is that Gov. Bentley reached out to our campaign, unsolicited, to offer his support. This is about our shared commitment to putting conservative principles to work to get America back on track. I’m very appreciative of his endorsement and I’m very excited about what we’re going to be able to do together to move the campaign forward in Alabama, the South and across the nation.”
The last time Bentley made national news in June, he irked some conservatives with his justification for removing the Confederate battle flag from a confederate memorial on the state Capitol grounds: “This had the potential to become a major distraction as we go forward. I have taxes to raise, we have work to do. And it was my decision that the flag needed to come down.”