RUN JOHN RUN--U.S. Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, waves to his supporters as he boards his campaign plane, in route to New Hampshire, 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. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

OFF TO NEW HAMPSHIRE--U.S. Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, heads for his campaign plane, following a 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. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

POTENTIAL CANDIDATE--U.S. Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, gestures during his annual Presidents Day fund-raising breakfast, 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. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

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)