What happened to Kasich?

[Torie]

Oh, in time, as Trump and Carson fade away, and assuming Bush fades away, then the sane part of the party can evaluate Rubio, Kasich and maybe even Christie as a long shot, and pick the best out of the lot based on their performance. So it is way too early to write Kasich off, but yes, he needs to perform better, and with more discipline and specifics, and less distracting body movements, then he has so far. Feel good generalities is simply not good enough. It's not good enough really for any of the candidates.

[Torie]

This isnt the year for GOP, obviously, and the regular GOPers that should be winning primaries should, aren't that's why Jeb and Kasich arent performing better.

The Fed is on the cusp of raising interest rates, & economy has improved in order for a Dem to be elected.

How will raising interest rates help a Dem to be elected?

[Torie]

This part of the campaign is, very much, for the base.  Kasich will not do well at it.  Given the level of desire for "an outsider", coupled with the broadening of the definition "outsider", Kasich's normal strengths (breadth and depth of experience, support from an incredibly key state, ability to appeal to moderate independents) aren't working for him here.  He's sort of got a claim of it being "his turn", but it's not as literal as, say, McCain's or Romney's, and Jeb Bush has cut in line on that one.

If the fundamental structure of the GOP race doesn't change, what will have to happen to stop Donald Trump is for the Establishment to make a deal with one of the anti-Establishment candidates, even Ted Cruz.  If the structure of the race shifts away from this to where, say, 30% or so of the GOP populace are demanding an outsider,  Kasich could well make his move.  A Kasich-Fiorina ticket might just be the ticket to beat (although I think Fiorina's real liabilities will bring her down, and she doesn't have Trump's money).  The real problem for Kasich is that the GOP is more reluctant to "get real" than ever before.  This is a GOP that could well nominate a Trump or a Cruz and lose the Electoral College by over 400 EV.

The GOP establishment hates Cruz. Everyone in the Senate loathes him. He is not going anywhere.

[Torie]

I would say his major problem is that voters care more right now about speaking ability than resumes. Kasich has accomplished a lot and is a great governor of Ohio. Still, when he stands at a podium he comes off as awkward and unpolished compared to the others on the national stage. He hasn't interrupted people much and hasn't demonstrated why his brand of conservatism is the best choice to fix America's problems.

No, it's not ideological, at least not most of it.

Exactly, and well said.