The Old Well Runs Dry

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Kasich is far too optimistic to share that view. His tax-cut pitch is woven into a message about national renewal. "It's not just about putting more money in people's pockets," he argues. "People are hungry to believe again in this country. They're hungry to believe again in themselves. They want to be inspired." Kasich can be inspirational, and he has something most of his rivals lack--a long history as a maverick fighting corporate welfare and Pentagon excess. And he's the only contender who can claim to have been thrown off the stage at a Grateful Dead concert--while he was a Congressman. "Forget the critics," he says of those who doubt the viability of his tax cut and his candidacy. "The critics said Lauryn Hill had a bad album, ya know? I don't pay a lot of attention to critics." Actually, the critics loved Hill's Grammy-winning record. So don't be surprised if Kasich starts singing a new song.