Watch CBS News

GOP Presidential Hopeful John Kasich Stumps In Michigan

GRAND BLANC (WWJ) - Appearing before about 150 people in a town hall style gathering in Grand Blanc Township, GOP presidential hopeful John Kasich said he had spoken with opponent Ben Carson and called him a good man.

But with Carson apparently set to walk away from the race for the Republican nomination, many feel the pressure shifts to the Ohio governor and Senator Marco Rubio ahead of next week's key 'winner take all' primaries in their respective home states.

"It gets down to 'can you win Florida?' Do I win Ohio? That's what we will see - because if you can't win your own state then I don't know how you move on -- we'll see," said Kasich.

Thursday night's Republican debate in Detroit could possibly represent a last-ditch effort for Kasich, Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz to slow Donald Trump's momentum.

"We can't operate where we are just trashing each other because we are in the other party," said Kasich, "we are Americans before we are Republicans and Democrats."

According to a recent poll in Michigan Kasich has a way to go to win voters in this state -- gathering only 8 percent of those polled.

Kasich remains optimistic: "We are neck and neck with Trump - we split delegates in Vermont - I finished second in Massachusetts, picked up delegates there and picked up delegates in Virginia, and now comes the home court - now we are heading north, here, and then, of course, the state of Ohio."

A loss in Michigan and in his home state of Ohio could spell the end of the run for Kasich.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.