Kasich: ‘We’ve done everything we can’ in NH

John Kasich said early Tuesday that he is satisfied with his efforts in New Hampshire ahead of the nation’s first GOP presidential primary.

{mosads}“We’ve done everything we can,” he told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“I’ve had a ball. It’s in the hands of the voters here. I’m so calm. I’m really cool with whatever happens here. I’ve always been zen.”

Kasich argued that he is not letting Tuesday’s contest distract him from other battlegrounds.

“I’ve labored in total obscurity for months. I think we’re going to have a very strong finish,” he said of his chances in the Granite State. “I’ve always thought we’d walk out of the woods and into the light.”

“If I don’t win, that’ll be OK,” Kasich continued. “I’m creating a legacy for my family. Why don’t we push our best thing out there? I’d like to talk about my vision and not spend my time putting people down.”

The Ohio governor added that his time campaigning for voter support in New Hampshire had provided valuable insights into the national mood.

“There are a lot of people out there who feel there’s nobody connected to them, either their wins or their losses,” Kasich said.

“A lot of people just want somebody who cares about them. That’s what being American’s all about — being together. We want to help everybody be lifted in America again.”

Kasich is hoping for a strong showing in New Hampshire after a heavy investment there.

Donald Trump leads the field in the Granite State by over 17 points, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls.

The race for second place remains wide open, however.

Kasich trails Marco Rubio, Trump’s closest competition, by less than 1 point.

Rubio earns 14 percent to Kasich’s 13.5 percent in the latest RealClearPolitics index of samplings in the Granite State.