There is still time to announce a stop in Buffalo, but Rochester may be the closest Republican presidential candidate John Kasich will come to the local political scene.The Ohio governor is behind in the polls compared to the top candidates, but he was still able to attract a very large crowd to the Town of Greece this weekend. The crowd at the town's community and senior center was estimated at more than 3,000, including an overflow room, and people who they had to turn away because of space limitations.
The town hall-style meeting included a few questions mainly involving the Ohio governor talking about his populist philosophy, including comments about how he disdains business as usual in Washington.
"For all of us, who’ve been trying to play by the rules and get somewhere, we just want to believe the system’s fair, I think, we just want fair play."
Kasich's event was interrupted at one point by people with disabilities, protesting cuts they say he's made in his home state. Michelle Fridley was among the most vocal of the protestors and she later said she wants Kasich to say more about what he would do on that issue if elected president
"He currently has 2,500 people on waiting lists, people that are stuck in nursing homes wanting to get out," Fridley said, "22,000 people that are waiting to receive home and community based services."
Kasich said he respects the passion of the protestors and shares their concerns. He didn't specifically address the issue of funding for people with disabilities. In the past, Ohio state officials have said the state is trying to work with providers of these services.