GOP Gov. Kasich Pushes Change in Battleground Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Critics of Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich call him arrogant. His fans say he's gutsy.

Just six months into a four-year term, Kasich has opened the door to privatizing many state operations. He's moved to limit bargaining rights for 350,000 unionized public workers. And he's signed a nearly $56 billion state budget filled with more policy overhauls than the state's seen in years — including tax cuts.

Along the way, Kasich has stirred controversy over media access, a Cabinet that's heavily white and male, and verbal gaffes that have cropped up in his public speeches.

Both Democrats and Republicans think he could have a big impact on President Barack Obama's chance of retaking Ohio in 2012.