By Mark Weyermuller -
Ohio governor and 2016 presidential hopeful John Kasich stopped by for lunch in Chicago Tuesday. He met with supporters at Portillos in River North, where he ate a Chicago hot dog - with mustard as most real Chicagoans do - and a piece of chocolate cake. The local media did extensive video and still photography as he ate.
Editorial comment: When I run for higher office, there will be no media coverage of me consuming food.
Monday night, Governor Kasich met with about 50 people at the Parthenon in Chicago's Greektown, including newly-appointed Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison and local GOP committeemen.
Outside Portillo's, Kasich had a quick meeting with DuPage County Board President Dan Cronin and former Illinois Republican chairman Pat Brady.
As Kasich left the restaurant, a large group of school kids were getting off a bus which made for some good retail politics and photo op with some young people. Unfortunately, they were not here to see him, but to go to the famous Rock and Roll McDonalds across the street. He did pose for photos with them.
There were at least a couple hundred people in the restaurant during the busy lunch hour, many of whom RSVP'd for the well-publicized event. A large group of College Republicans were there representing DePaul, Loyola, and University of Chicago.
Several of the U of C students got to see another presidential hopeful at their campus Monday. Democrat, or some say Socialist, Bernie Sanders was a guest there speaking before about 1500 people, mostly students. David Axelrod hosted him at the Institute of Politics. In the coming weeks Nancy Pelosi, Claire McClaskill, and General David Petraeus all will be speaking there. My friend Ashvin Lad sent me this photo below from a video room annex which was also filled. I had a ticket for Sanders but ended up not going partly because I knew it would be a madhouse.
I did manage a quick selfie and handshake with the governor as he departed for the trip back to Ohio. Next Thursday and Friday, Jeb Bush will be in town and just heard U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be here October 29. Also Dr. Ben Carson will be in the Chicago area Thursday morning at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais with a downtown Chicago fundraising lunch to follow.
I'm still trying to meet and get a photo with Jim Gilmore if anybody knows him, call me. I guess for presidential hopefuls, all roads lead to Chicago.
