John Kasich Says If He Loses Ohio He Will Leave The Race

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is under growing pressure to leave the Republican primary so that the race can be reduced to something closer to a one-on-one contest with Donald Trump.

Kasich has so far resisted, noting his success in New Hampshire (where he finished second) and in Northern states (where he polls fairly well).

If Republicans want him out, he told "Meet the Press" on Sunday, they will have their chance on March 15, when voters in his home state go to the polls.

“Well, first of all, I'm beating Hillary Clinton by more than any other candidate,” Kasich said. “And I'm going to win Ohio. And that's what creates a whole new race. Now, you know, at the end of the day, each of these candidates should be able to win their own home state. I'm going to win Ohio. But if I don't win Ohio, then, you know, ballgame over.”

So, there it is. If Kasich loses his home state, he’s out of the race. The worry Republicans have, of course, is that by March 15, Trump may end up accumulating a delegate lead that is insurmountable, making the need for a slimmed-down primary field rather moot.