but not for 2012. I’d be surprised if he entered that race after only a year as governor. Then, hopefully we wont be looking for a candidate in 2016. But even in 2020, he will not be an old man.

The only hangup that many Ohio conservatives have is his support of Clintons assault weapons ban while he was in Congress. Ohio was one of the last states to allow concealed carry, and former GOP governor Bob Taft actually vetoed the bill, after he had promised to sign it. Fortunately, there was enough support in the legislature and his veto was overridden, but with poison pills added to the bill that we are still working on eliminating today, 6 years later.

Ohio Democrats have actually been friendlier to Ohio gun owners than the GOP (see RINO former Senator Mike DeWine.) Kasich has largely avoided directly answering 2nd amendment related questions during his campaign, making gun owners wonder if they’re going to get the same treatment again.

However, except for the hardest core one-issue voters, this will not hurt Kasich. I am a CCW license holder, and still strongly support him, as do most others I know. It certainly hasn’t hurt him in the primary race, as his name recognition, popularity, and bone fide credentials on other conservative issues are unmatched.