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Mihalic held a poster bearing a cartoon drawing of GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and the slogan “Kasich NOT Way Sick.”
“He has clear views, but he also works with people who have different views,” the Fairfield resident said.
Mihalic, who has been disappointed with the 2016 political race, said he’s still waiting for a GOP debate that is “intelligent and policy-based.”
Asked about Trump’s enduring popularity, Mihalic shrugged.
“People’s emotions get tied up in a funny way,” he said.
Mihalic was one of about 1,000 people crowded into Sacred Heart University’s Martire Business & Communications Center to hear from the two-term Ohio governor. Many said they were supporters, but others were just curious about Kasich, who some said has been overshadowed by his oft-fiery and flamboyant competitors, Trump and Ted Cruz.
Students Maria Mossa of Stamford and Joe Durante, of Upper Saddle River, N.J., are looking for someone who can beat Hillary Clinton in the November election. They hadn’t decided on a final candidate, but they were squarely in the Republican camp.
“We’re voting for whoever the Republic nominee is,” she said. “Their views correlate to how I feel.”
Durante hoped to shake Kasich’s hand. “It would be cool to meet a politician,” he said. “This is probably the most exciting election of this generation.”
He didn’t have a chance. Reporters and photographers crowded around the candidate in a brief “press gaggle” after the forum before he rushed away to prepare for a similar event in Syracuse, N.Y. Friday night. New Yorkers vote in their primary Tuesday, April 19.
Friday’s event was a low-key affair. Though it was billed as a ticketed event, there was no registration desk or even a security checkpoint. Pop music piped through the large central hall as people took chairs, found seats on the stairs behind the small stage or snagged a spot looking down from the mezzanine above. The event was hosted by former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays and state Sen. Tony Hwang, who is Kasich’s Connecticut campaign manager.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for the state of Connecticut to see a person who offers substance and results… rather than rhetoric and anger,” Hwang said.
Cheshire resident Tim O’Brien joined six other AARP volunteers wearing bright red “Does Your Candidate Have a Plan for Social Security?” T-shirts.
“AARP is asking candidates to take a stand on Social Security,” he said. “(Kasich) has taken a stand and for that we thank him, but we also want to know some details."
As Kasich spoke with the press, Connor Finn waited for an up-close glimpse of the candidate. He said he was impressed by the event.
“I support Trump or Cruz, but I liked what he had to say,” the Norwalk resident said. “My opinion definitely got better of him.”
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