Maybe John Kasich is getting the message and can get in touch with the base of unhappy Ohioans who know that a new governor must be ready to stand up to Washington and lead the revolution against the Obama administration's misguided policies.The "jobs" ads that have saturated the airwaves so far certainly don't do that. Gov. Strickland didn't kill the jobs. Obama did by totally fumbling the recession ball.

The new governor's first task is to get the state budget in step with the survival budgets of the state's citizens. Then the job is to protect so far as possible against further damage from Washington. If that isn't possible, the bully pulpit in Columbus should be used to say why it isn't and who's responsible. Some initiatives can help build a sustainable jobs structure (close cooperation with Wright-Patterson AFB is an example) but without tax giveaways or special subsidies. Making the state hospitable to entrepreneurship in every way possible so free enterprise can thrive is the policy in a nutshell.

Government at every level now reaches into our lives in many ways, eroding the freedoms that have made this country's greatness possible. Citizens must insist on basic services in full, but without the overloaded bureaucracies trying the manage every aspect of daily life.

The tea party people are a presence, but lack the focus and voice of political leaders who will resist empty promises of instant solutions, and pledge just hard and honest attacks on the problems that chain us down. The latest Kasich ads suggest he may be that voice.