In a story on the rise of John Kasich in New Hampshire, The Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin casually acknowledges that Common Core has emerged as a potent issue, even in the allegedly more liberal (for a Republican) state of New Hampshire. Gov. Chris Christie is the latest of a series of pro-Common Core governors (Scott Walker, Jeb Bush) to feel the burn:
Kasich may now be benefiting from the decline in Bush’s standings (he’s in sixth place in the RCP averages). He may also be siphoning votes off from Christie, who is being hammered by opponents for perceived inconsistency on Common Core, guns and Planned Parenthood and his denial that he ever supported Justice Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. In the last two polls, in which Kasich scored 20 and 14 percent, Bush was down to 8 and 4 percent while Christie was at 9 and 8 percent.
But this suggests Kasich’s surge may well be a temporary effect of his relative obscurity. Once the spotlight shines on his record, New Hampshire and other voters are going to learn Kasich is the only GOP candidate openly backing Common Core.
How long before voters notice Kasich’s pro-Common Core stance? At least one of his opponents in New Hampshire, most likely Marco Rubio, is going to decide it’s worthwhile to make sure voters are aware.
Maggie Gallagher is a senior fellow at the American Principles Project.
