OHIO'S FAVORITE SON--U.S. Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, gestures during a campaign rally, in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, Feb. 15, 1999. Kasich, chairman of the House Budget Committee, is filing papers with the Federal Election Commission to formally establish a presidential exploratory committee. To the far left is Kasich's wife Karen, to the far right is U.S. Senator Mike DeWine, R-Ohio.(JACK KUSTRON../photoj.com)