Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) on Monday released a new Web video hitting Donald Trump, questioning whether his GOP presidential rival is worthy of the White House.
“Is someone like Donald Trump really worthy of following in their footsteps?” the Kasich ad says, flashing pictures of past presidents including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.
{mosads}The ad centers on Trump’s mocking of a New York Times reporter during a rally in South Carolina last week, and replays footage where the candidate made flailing gestures with his arms.
Trump defended his comment, maintaining that he didn’t know the reporter or about the physical disability that impairs his arm movement. The reporter, Serge Kovaleski, has hit back, saying he has known Trump for years.
Kasich’s series of ads come as New Day for America — the super-PAC backing Kasich’s bid that is legally barred from coordinating with the official campaign — launched a $2.5 million ad campaign against Trump.
But Trump continues to lead in the polls with 28.7 percent. Kasich trails far behind with 2.7 percent, according to the RealClearPolitics average.