John Kasich on the Future of Ohio and the Republican Party

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JOHN KASICH ON THE FUTURE OF OHIO AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

Congratulations to Democrats on their victories in elections across the country yesterday.

As pundits continue to analyze the exit polls and the final election results, we Republicans must take a minute to look in the mirror, and then refocus on the daunting task before us.

Now is not the time for hand-wringing or finger pointing, which has already begun. Now is the time to dig in and start rebuilding for the future. We must figure out how to reorganize and restructure ourselves so that we can once again command the confidence and respect of not only the members of our own party, but voters of all stripes.

In recent years we've lost our way, but that ends today. From here forward we must be committed to winning the battle of ideas in this country and in this state.

Ronald Reagan once captured the imagination of a country that he called a shining city on a hill. Like Ronald Reagan, I'm hopeful about the future of our party and our country. But as we get ready for the fight ahead, we must return to the fundamentals of what it means to be a Republican. We must communicate clearly what we stand for, and make the case for why our ideas are better. We must reassert the importance of limited government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, individual responsibility, and restrained government spending.

America is not about entitlement, but about being given the opportunity to pursue the American Dream, whatever that dream may be. As Republicans we must find new and innovative ways to think about the role of government in our lives so that we are free to pursue new opportunities and create prosperity.

Here in Ohio, our economy is in a death spiral, our tax system is burdensome, and people are fleeing the state. We must redouble our efforts to reinvigorate businesses and foster an environment that creates jobs. This will require new leadership and a new vision as we seek to overcome these problems.

The path ahead for our party is not easy, but we must embrace this challenge. I know together we can make a difference to reposition our party, revitalize our state and reconnect with voters to ensure a better America and a better Ohio for ourselves and the next generation.