Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich is reportedly touting his friendship with media mogul Rupert Murdoch, telling the Financial Times “I love him” and “I love to be with him.” Murdoch has donated thousands to Kasich's political campaigns and Fox News previously employed Kasich for years.
The Times reported that Kasich, who is planning to officially announce his bid for the Republican nomination for president on July 21, is “confident about his friendship with Rupert Murdoch”:
Mr Kasich is more confident about his friendship with Rupert Murdoch, the media tycoon. “I love him,” he says. “Rupert Murdoch . . . has a reputation as a swashbuckler . . . and I'm sure some of that is true, but I love to be with him.”
Kasich's friendship with Murdoch has paid big dividends over the years. Fox News hired the former congressman in 2001 -- he stayed at the network until 2009, when he left to successfully run for Ohio governor. Kasich worked as a frequent guest host for The O'Reilly Factor and the host of the programs From The Heartland and Heroes. The network paid him $265,000 in 2008 for his work.
Murdoch is the executive co-chairman of Fox News parent company 21st Century Fox and the executive chairman of News Corp. He donated $10,000 to Kasich's 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Murdoch's News Corporation, which at the time owned Fox News, also donated $1 million in 2010 to the Republican Governors Association; Murdoch said the donation “was actually [a result of] my friendship with John Kasich.” In December 2014, Murdoch donated $10,000 for Kasich's 2014 transition fund.
Politico reported on June 19 that Kasich has “begun a concerted push to lock down the support of Murdoch” and “was hopeful he could be brought aboard.” The outlet added “When they are both in New York City, Kasich and Murdoch make plans to see one another. But Murdoch, those familiar with the effort say, hasn't yet committed to Kasich, and has said he has many friends in the contest. He has pointed to Bush, Scott Walker, and Chris Christie as candidates he particularly admires.”
There are indications that Kasich's former Fox News colleagues will afford him a home-field advantage. Fox, which has a large influence in the Republican presidential primary, has promoted a Kasich 2016 presidential run and heavily touted his 2010 campaign for governor. Senior vice president and host Neil Cavuto, for instance, told Kasich last year his “success” as governor has given the liberals “reason to fear you” in 2016.
Fox News contributor John LeBoutillier wrote that if Kasich does run, Fox would “accord him very favorable coverage. Why? Because Kasich used to host shows on Fox -- and rumor has it that Sir Rupert Murdoch likes him.”