--- title: Why John Kasich Warns of Donald Trump–Led Witch Hunts description: A happy warrior with a grim warning canonical: https://time.com/4193192/john-kasich-donald-trump-new-hampshire/ author: Zeke Miller article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-01-25T22:14:04.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:56:25.872Z article:section: Politics og:title: Why John Kasich Warns of Donald Trump–Led Witch Hunts og:description: A happy warrior with a grim warning og:url: https://time.com/4193192/john-kasich-donald-trump-new-hampshire/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc51245b0cf5dcb18/69887a8c2dce01efee9e780f/john-kasich-republican.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4092 og:image:height: 2302 og:image:alt: John Kasich og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Why John Kasich Warns of Donald Trump–Led Witch Hunts twitter:description: A happy warrior with a grim warning twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc51245b0cf5dcb18/69887a8c2dce01efee9e780f/john-kasich-republican.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Exclusive: Why John Kasich Warns of Donald Trump–Led Witch Hunts > Sponsored content. 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In early voting states like New Hampshire, the hard work of winning elections is often decided by volunteers on the ground._ by [Zeke J Miller / Goffstown, N.H.](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke J Miller / Goffstown, N.H. Jan 25, 2016 10:14 PM UTC  Republican presidential candidate and Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks to voters during a campaign stop at a music-club tavern called the Stone Church on Jan. 25, 2016, in Newmarket, N.H. Republican presidential candidate and Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks to voters during a campaign stop at a music-club tavern called the Stone Church on Jan. 25, 2016, in Newmarket, N.H. Jim Cole—AP by [Zeke J Miller / Goffstown, N.H.](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke J Miller / Goffstown, N.H. Jan 25, 2016 10:14 PM UTC The Republican Party’s self-described “prince of light and hope” kicked off his 75th town hall in the Granite State on Sunday with a sober warning to the country to avoid following historical precedent in ostracizing minorities. Alluding to Donald Trump, Kasich name-checked the anticommunist witch hunt by Joe McCarthy and the actual Salem witch trial. “I get a sense when I look at what is happening in our country that we have the potential to start another movement here that doesn’t represent the best of us,” Kasich said, refusing to specifically name the GOP front-runner. The new focus, Kasich explained later in a one-on-one interview with TIME on his campaign bus, stemmed from reading a BBC [article](http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35382599) comparing the Trump moment to the “Know-Nothings” and other historical movements. “I’m concerned about negativity rising in America,” he said, as he passed the article to staffers on his iPad to read. “I’m concerned about people thinking we should ban all Muslims. I think it represents fear, insecurity, and we just have to have antidote.” Kasich thinks he’s the medicine. As many of his rivals seek to capture a slice of the Trump electorate by focusing on the fear and anger, Kasich is pledging to be steadfastly positive, even as his super PAC and campaign begin negative attack ads to bolster his candidacy in response to criticism from other candidates. “A little bit of hyperbole here,” Kasich quipped of his self-imposed nickname. “It’s all come into focus here as I’ve thought about these past historic movements and where we are today. And I just want to be positive.” Kasich brushed off the suggestion from Senator Marco Rubio and others who have said they no longer recognize the country. “I do recognize this country — I don’t think that’s where we live,” Kasich told TIME of his rivals’ arguments. “You can appeal to that, but I don’t. “ Kasich town halls are part sermon and part history lesson, as much as they are designed to boost his candidacy. “I think I am steering people away from it, that’s what my town halls are,” he said of the negativity permeating the presidential race. He told one youthful questioner Sunday to be sure to “say your prayers,” adding, “if you’re ever confused, talk to your mom.” At other points, he regales those in attendance with his record of balancing the budget and stories of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill negotiating deals. Despite writing off Iowa — he doesn’t even plan to campaign there in the days leading up to the caucuses — Kasich argued he thinks he can make his case in more conservative states. “I think the message will work anywhere,” he said. “We’re just here because we didn’t have enough time to divide ourselves in both places — it’s smaller, more focused, we’re really able to focus on this state.” Reflecting on his seven-month campaign, Kasich, who is locked in a close battle for second-place in New Hampshire, maintained he hasn’t altered his positions on the campaign. “I’m not changed,” he said. “I’m having a great time. I’m surprised I’m having so much fun.” ## Transcript [00:00] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [00:04] 30 days to the primary, every second counts. We're [00:08] hoping that this will prove our tenacity and we're willing [00:12] to not only go out here and knock on doors, but knock [00:14] on doors in awful weather because That's how strongly [00:18] we feel about this campaign. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [00:37] Three weeks to go now until the first votes are cast in [00:40] the 2016 presidential race. But the bigger surprise [00:42] right here, Sanders is closing in on Hillary Clinton. [00:45] Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders deadlocked. [00:47] Sanders is out for And that has her campaign admitting [00:50] they are nervous. [ APPLAUSE ] People [00:55] hearing the message directly from the senator is [00:57] wonderful, but we can't have a rally every day. The [01:00] conversations that matter to me are the ones that are [01:02] happening between individuals. Because at the end of [01:05] the day, that's what wins an election. If they're home. [01:08] [ SOUND ] I [01:12] think the best I ever did was 61 houses. And I think I [01:16] got 7 commit cards. Which was pretty good. We've had [01:20] a big push in the past 60 days. My job is not [01:24] to convince people to change their vote, I'm just there [01:28] to give them information. Hi. Hi. Mr. Thorner? [01:33] And also, it's to inform people what day the Primary is [01:37] on. Should be, here. [ SOUND ] [01:47] I remember, I think it was about six years ago now, [01:50] there was one. Disheveled crazy looking guy on floor of [01:54] the Senate who gave a 10 and a half hour filibuster [01:58] about how stupid the Bush tax cuts were. And I [02:01] remember seeing that, being like, this dude is the only [02:04] dude in the Senate with guts and this is exactly what I [02:07] believe in. And I started following a little bit more [02:10] about who is he was and everything I heard him say, I [02:13] agreed with and loved. Like everything. Well, we're just [02:14] out here for Bernie, because we believe that he's one [02:18] of the most different candidates. That can really [02:20] revolutionize- This is the grind, yes, this is where it's [02:24] won. Those are the most effective and persuasive ways [02:27] of talking to voters. All right, whose next? Yesterday [02:31] alone we knocked on 17, 000 doors. Watch the ice. [02:36] One day, 17, 000 doors. We're from the Bernie [02:39] Sanders campaign and we were just wondering if you [02:41] were planning on voting in the primary on February [02:44] 9th. [ INAUDIBLE ] Hilary in the primary. Definitely. [02:47] Wonderful. Be voting for both of you. Great. Leaning [02:50] strongly in her favor? I'm still not sure. I love Bernie [02:54] Sanders. Most of us do Who are in this part of the [02:57] country. But there's some drawbacks, too. I'm torn- [03:00] She's a woman with very strong convictions just like [03:03] Bernie- That I admire. And she's stuck to them, but [03:07] now she's moderated them to say well, I can meet the [03:10] Republicans halfway. And I don't know what will [03:14] happen if Bernie can't meet them halfway. I'm not sure [03:18] that he would Even have a chance of [ CROSSTALK ] [03:21] Yes, yeah. That's what I'm really worried. The worries [03:24] that people have about his electability should have [03:28] really disappeared by now. All these people that no [03:31] other candidate would get should come out and vote [03:34] for them Bernie's got those people. And people that [03:37] haven't voted in 20 years. And I've seen them in the [03:39] office making calls. I've seen them stepping up and [03:42] doing stuff. And I think Bernie talks the talk and walks [03:45] the walk. One of the reasons that I'm really [03:50] For Hilary is because of the Affordable Care Act and I [03:53] think she will not only keep it, but improve on it. I've [03:56] had breast cancer, my husband's had prostate cancer, [04:01] my son has treatable epilepsy. She's just right on for [04:05] people from birth to death. If we get that win by three [04:09] points or five points or whatever, it's gonna be us on [04:12] On the ground making that difference, creating that [04:15] margin, and that's what it's about. Doing it three [04:19] times this week, because we're getting close to the [04:22] wire. I definitely will do it the remainder of the [04:25] Saturdays and possibly some of the Sundays. Then I [04:29] have said that I'll come in two nights a week to make [04:32] calls Bye. [ LAUGH ] See if [04:37] we could get the dogs to vote, we'd be doing really [04:39] just right. 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