A last minute surge in the polls put Gov. John Kasich on the primetime stage for the nation’s first Republican presidential debate of the season. Thursday night's debate was his first real shot at appealing to a national crowd.
By measure of applause, Kasich had the support of the home crowd as he tried to stand out in a night that was clearly the Donald Trump show.
His most memorable moment was his answer to a question about same-sex marriage. Kasich says he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, but said he accepts people who think differently. He was asked how his personal beliefs would affect his relationship with his twin daughters if they happened to be gay.
“Look I’m gonna love my daughters – I’m gonna love them no matter what they do," Kasich said. "Because you know what? God gives me unconditional love, I’m gonna give it to my family and my friends and the people around me.”
Analysts said it was a good showing for Kasich who goes back to the campaign trail where he’s been spending most of his time in New Hampshire.
