John Kasich Says He Does Not Read Ohio Newspapers

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said on Monday he "very rarely" reads newspapers.

"You should know, I don't read newspapers in the state of Ohio. Very rarely do I read a newspaper," he said during a speech in Columbus. "Because just like I think presidents have done in the past, reading newspapers does not give you an uplifting experience."

"Time to time, people will send me articles and things I need to know about. I have found that my life's a lot better if I don't get aggravated about what I read in the newspaper," he added.

(Video above via Ohio Capitol Blog.)

Kasich blamed reporters and "transparency" last December for state government's inability to hire "the best people."

Ohioans soundly rejected Issue 2, a ballot referendum on Senate Bill 5, in November. Kasich signed the bill, which would have restricted collective bargaining rights for public employees, into law and campaigned for the ballot measure. Political experts told The Huffington Post that Kasich will not likely see much long-term damage from the defeat since he has three more years left in his term and other factors could guide his long-term popularity.

A poll sponsored by the AFL-CIO and conducted by Hart Research Associates after the Issue 2 defeat showed that 39 percent of Ohioans approved of Kasich, while 51 percent disapproved.

Comments

[gypsyette]

12:06 AM on 12/02/2011

Of course he doesn't read the papers. If it's not Fox News, then it's part of the dreaded "Liberal Media." I can't wait till the next election, because he and his cronies need to get their backsides booted from office. If you think your vote doesn't count, think again. This is what apathy gets you.

[10photons]

09:24 AM on 12/01/2011

Now why would he need to read when he can get all his marching orders from Grover and Fox News?

[Davwbaird]

09:30 PM on 11/30/2011

ah I Am sure the citizens like that,

[macweiss]

06:24 PM on 11/30/2011

"My life's a lot better if I don't get aggravated about what I read in the newspaper"?

90% of the news articles I read are negative, but I still read them because, you know, I kind of want to know what's going on in my state and my country.

Also - stating out loud that you don't read newspapers? You're showing real political savvy there, Governor.

[LiBra99]

09:56 PM on 11/30/2011

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. What a dumb thing to say. It's like he's saying "News makes me sad/stressed so I avoid learning about the problems I should know about." What's the saying? See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil?

[freethinking moderate]

06:09 PM on 11/30/2011

To be fair to Governor Kasich, would YOU enjoy reading Ohio newspapers full of stories about how your policies are gutting the middle class and destroying the state?

[wheresthepositivity]

05:48 PM on 11/30/2011

Well, I guess he agrees with me that the Cincinnati Enquirer is not worth a single second of anyone's time.

[Davwbaird]

09:31 PM on 11/30/2011

I like the Detroit Free Press.

[SAnn]

01:25 PM on 11/30/2011

Of course he doesn't. He's a hack from Fox. They don't like to mix real news with the "spin". gets em all confused when they try to move back and forth between the BS they continually blow up the low information voters b@tt's and the truth.

[traditional]

01:12 PM on 11/30/2011

Kasich is a Fox news guy

[blevins]

12:42 PM on 11/30/2011

How embarrassing it must be, to be an Ohioan and have this rube charlatan bible thumper at the helm. Yet he professes to read the bible every day. Bible reading is fine and acceptable - but - stay informed! You are the leader of ALL of Ohio. Progressives are way too cerebral to make remarks like that. What was the purpose of the statement - so that he appears_______________? What? Stupid? Not concerned? Apathetic? I don't get it.

[Prankster]

12:07 PM on 11/30/2011

It's called uninformed, John. Look in the dictionary under Sarah Palin.

[TexianLife]

11:47 AM on 11/30/2011

Conservatives can't or won't read newspapers. Kasich doesn't want to read how much people disrespect him & want him out of office & he's happier not knowing anything.

[sackman]

11:24 AM on 11/30/2011

The republican party is so out of touch with mainstream America I suspect that none of them read,

[Prankster]

11:13 AM on 11/30/2011

No, John, newspapers don't give you an "uplifting experience", they just give you the news. That's why they're called newspapers. Maybe you should try a comic book.

[sackman]

11:26 AM on 11/30/2011

How about a facelift???? Ha Ha

[Matt12]

10:57 AM on 11/30/2011

The curent crop of GOP leadership, at nearly all levels of government, take great pride in ignorance. One more reason to stage a recall of John Kasich-- who is he serving, if not the people of Ohio?

[kittkat]

02:56 PM on 11/30/2011

Kasich is very unpopular in Ohio. We would try to recall him, but that option is not available under Ohio law. At least we got rid of his SB 5 anti-union bill though.

[Hillbilly49]

10:53 AM on 11/30/2011

Since Kay-sick's recent neutering; he is heeling nicely on the left.