Kasich Quits White House Bid, Says He Backs a ‘Soul Brother’ in Bush

WASHINGTON — Rep. John R. Kasich of Ohio on Wednesday shelved his Oval Office dreams and threw his support behind a “soul brother,” Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Crushed under the Bush financial steamroller--Kasich raised $1.6 million compared with the front-runner’s $36 million--he is the second candidate this week to drop out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire quit his bid for the White House and said he will run as an independent.

Appearing with Bush at a news conference, Kasich conceded he couldn’t compete and said, “I think you have to be man enough to take the good along with those things that are disappointing.”

The nine-term congressman said he plans to work for Republicans across the country for the next year and a half, but that he would not run for reelection next year.

Bush and Kasich declared themselves philosophically compatible. Bush playfully encouraged speculation about Kasich as a vice presidential prospect and said “he’s going to fit perfectly on my team.” Kasich pledged to campaign for Bush, saying, “I can’t find any issues that I have problems with him on.”

On Capitol Hill, Kasich is known for his exuberance, tenacity and love of debate. He was a major author of the budget-balancing plan agreed to in 1997--perhaps the highlight of his congressional career.