Trent Lott endorses John Kasich for president
Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president on Tuesday, touting the Republican's budget prowess and foreign policy experience.
"I've known John Kasich a long time and watched with pride and admiration as, time and again, he's shown the world what conservative ideas can do to strengthen economies and make our country more secure," said Lott, a Mississippi Republican who served as the Senate GOP leader during much of Kasich's tenure in the House.
Lott said Kasich, a former House Budget Chairman, was "essential" to achieving a balanced budget during the 1990s. He credited Kasich with bringing Ohio "back to life" as governor. And he noted Kasich's "long experience on national security and foreign policy," praising the GOP candidate's call for a larger Navy.
Kasich became one of the last competitors to enter the crowded GOP primary field in late July, but he's had a fairly successful launch during his first month on the trail. He's raising money at a fast clip, he turned in a well-received performance at the first GOP primary debate earlier this month, and he's surging in some early state primary polls.
A Boston Herald poll of New Hampshire Republicans released earlier this month, for example, found Kasich at 12 percent in the state's primary - behind only Donald Trump at 18 percent and Jeb Bush at 13 percent.
Kasich has also racked up a slew of endorsements from GOP leaders, though Bush is still the clear favorite among the party establishment. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley announced his support for Kasich last week, and a handful of current and former congressman have signed onto Kasich's bid as well.