Ohio Gov. John Kasich is soon expected to jump into the vast field of candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination, and it's clear his relationship with former employer Fox News is as intimate as ever.
Most elected Republicans seek to be on good terms with Fox, given the network's massive audience and influence among conservative voters. But while some, including failed 2012 GOP presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, have fallen out of Fox's good graces, Kasich seems eager to foster his happy accord with the network.
In an interview Tuesday on CNBC, Kasich offered profuse praise for Fox, where he worked as a host and commentator from 2001-09.
"What I liked about it was it really pushed me intellectually to learn many things really in a short period of time," he said.
Asked if Fox at all contributes to the polarization of the country (it is widely believed that cable news in general has increased political divisions in the public), Kasich was quick to disagree.
"No, I don't think so," he said. "I think a lot of people feel it's one place you can go. I can tell you, when I was there, no one ever told me how to do my job."
In an interview published by the Financial Times on Monday, Kasich was even more complimentary of Rupert Murdoch, the media tycoon whose sprawling empire includes Fox News.
"I love him," Kasich said of Murdoch, according to the Times. "Rupert Murdoch ... has a reputation as a swashbuckler ... and I'm sure some of that is true, but I love to be with him."
One Fox News contributor has even publicly stated that Kasich, who is expected to formally announced his presidential campaign next week, will enjoy positive coverage from the network.
"Look for Ohio Gov. Jon Kasich to join the 2016 race — and when he does, Fox News will accord him very favorable coverage," wrote John LeBoutillier in February at TheHill.com. "Why? Because Kasich used to host shows on Fox — and rumor has it that Sir Rupert Murdoch likes him."
Kasich is expected to announce his candidacy on July 21.