WELCOME – AT 8:17 A.M. ET:  Looks like we'll have another Republican presidential candidate.  From The Hill: 

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) has launched a political committee to assist in fundraising as he seeks to raise his national profile ahead of a potential run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Kasich and his allies filed paperwork with the IRS on Monday for a 527 nonprofit group called New Day for America. The group can raise unlimited funds to pay for travel and other expenses the Ohio governor incurs as he travels the country testing the presidential waters.

Former Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) and former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson (R) are among the group’s directors.

In recent weeks, Kasich has signaled he’s increasingly serious about running for president. He’s been traveling the country pushing for a balanced budget amendment.

Those efforts had been bankrolled by a PAC formed late last year, Balanced Budget Forever, which includes former operatives from Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign.

COMMENT:  Kasich has been an effective governor and is an effective vote getter.  He should be welcomed to the campaign, if he decides to run.  It is not lost on political pundits that he could be very helpful in capturing Ohio, always a great prize in presidential politics.

Good candidate, good record.

The Republican field is very deep, and filled with talent.

April 21, 2015