New Kasich ad blasts Trump for mocking disabled man

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's campaign released a new online video today blasting billionaire business tycoon and Republican front-runner Donald Trump and portraying him as unworthy and unfit for the White House.

The 45-second piece zeros in on Trump mocking New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who suffers from arthrogryposis, a chronic condition that limits the functioning of his joints. The Kasich campaign asks whether Trump is worthy to follow in the footsteps of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan or other presidents.

During a campaign stop in South Carolina, Trump made fun of the physical appearance of Kovaleski. Trump later denied knowing of the reporter's physical disability or what he looks like. Kovaleski began covering Trump back in the late 1980s and the two men had been on a first name basis, according to the New York Times.

Last week, New Day for America, a super PAC supporting Kasich for president, put out a 45-second online video that blasts Trump for making offensive remarks about veterans, women, Mexicans and others. The super PAC called it "Trump's Greatest Hits - Part 1" and has promised to release more. Also last week, the Kasich campaign released a video of former Ohio Veterans Affairs Director Tom Moe indirectly comparing Trump to Nazis by paraphrasing a famous speech given by a German pastor.

The videos mark a departure from last summer when Kasich appeared hesitant to take on Trump.

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