Gov. John Kasich (R) told ABC News that Democrats are scared of facing him in the general election.

Said Kasich: “I’ve been hearing from these Democrat operatives that John Kasich, me — I don’t want to sound like I’m Bob Dole, you know? But John Kasich, you know – me — that I’m their greatest fear. I mean, we hear it all the time.”

He added: “I actually ran into one of their big campaign managers. And he said, ‘You know, we do worry about you.’ I said, ‘Why don’t you say it publicly?’ He said, ‘Are you crazy? We’re not going give you any publicity.'”

First Read: “If the two-term governor of all-important Ohio — with a 60% approval rating in his state — announces a presidential bid and no one hears it, did it really happen? That’s John Kasich’s challenge as he makes his White House run official today at 11:00 am ET amid all of the Donald Trump headlines… It’s the Summer of Donald, and it’s become hard for the other GOP presidential hopefuls to break through. Remember that Scott Walker officially announced his presidential bid last week, and he barely broke through all the Trump news, at least nationally.”

Gov. John Kasich (R), “a blunt-spoken and unorthodox Republican who bucked his party by expanding Medicaid under President Obama’s health care law and says politicians must ‘reach out and help those who live in the shadows,’ is expected to announce Tuesday that he is joining his party’s long list of candidates for president,” the New York Times reports.

Washington Post: “Kasich would begin the race far back in the pack, according to most polls. But as the governor of one of the nation’s most important general election states, and with a political style unlike that of others in the race, Kasich’s advisers say they believe he can become a credible threat to win the nomination. His detractors question whether he has the discipline required to win a long and grueling presidential race.”

Columbus Dispatch: “Although Kasich and supporters say that his resume and experience are unmatched in the GOP field, including by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, concern about his temperament and emotional fitness for the presidency have seeped into the national media narrative.”

“John Kasich has a resume seemingly tailor-made for a serious run for the Republican nomination: blue-collar upbringing, congressional budget hawk, Fox News commentator, investment banker, successful two-term governor of Ohio,” Politico reports.

“But there’s just one problem, according to interviews with dozens of those who’ve worked in politics alongside him at various points over the last several decades: his short fuse.”

Ohio Gov. John Kasich “flies into Washington Tuesday to meet with a group of heavy hitters – including some of his former congressional colleagues – who have lent their names and support to the governor’s nascent bid for president,” the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) “plans to launch his presidential bid on July 21 in Columbus, hoping his strength in the quintessential swing state will help him win over Republican voters who aim to take back the White House in 2016,” the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

“The idea of Kasich’s candidacy has excited some voters and intrigued national reporters, who praise his candor and pragmatism. He’s making regular trips to early-primary states New Hampshire and South Carolina, and he first visited Iowa last week.”

“It’s experience and record. Amateur hour is over.”

— Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), in an interview with David Brody, on why he’s compelled to run for president.

“I don’t know about you, lady. But when I get to the Pearly Gates, I’m going to have an answer for what I’ve done for the poor.”

— Gov. John Kasich, quoted by Politico, to a woman who said she disagreed with his decision to expand Medicaid.

“Sensing the window of opportunity is closing, John Kasich is on a last-minute dash across the country to convince party donors and power-brokers that there’s room for one more candidate in the most crowded Republican presidential field in decades,” Politico reports.

“The Ohio governor, who’s expected to formally announce his White House bid next month, is jetting to America’s political money capitals — from Dallas to New York City to Palm Beach — with the goal of securing the financial support he’ll need to wage a 2016 campaign.”

Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball: “If you’re looking for a dark-horse entrant into the first tier, it might be John Kasich. Few would bet on him today, but no sensible party will easily dismiss a popular two-term governor of swing-state Ohio. And Kasich’s federal, state and private sector experiences comprise impressive preparation for the presidency.”

“The primary obstacle for Kasich are his positions on Obamacare and Common Core, which have earned him the RINO label. He also has to generate interest in a hurry so he can get into the upcoming debates, for which he currently does not qualify. And Kasich must make a convincing case that he’s not just another Jon Huntsman, who won more plaudits from the media than votes from Republicans in 2012.”

Gov. John Kasich (R) “has tapped a pair of veteran Republicans to play senior roles in his upcoming presidential campaign, according to multiple sources. The decisions are the latest steps in preparation for a formal announcement of candidacy that will come sometime next month,” the Washington Post reports.

“Kasich has picked John Weaver, a former top adviser in the presidential campaigns of Arizona Sen. John McCain, to fill the role of senior strategist. The Texas-based Weaver will oversee the general strategic direction of the Kasich campaign. Meanwhile, Fred Davis, a California-based ad maker, will assume the duties as lead media consultant for Kasich’s super PAC.”

“Ohio lawmakers set the table for Gov. John Kasich (R) to potentially take all of the Buckeye State’s GOP presidential delegates in one swoop next year,” the Columbus Dispatch reports.

“By moving the state’s 2016 primary election back a week — from March 8 to March 15 — Ohio’s Republican vote will be a winner-take-all contest.”

Gov. John Kasich “just took his most pronounced swipe yet at a potential rival for the Republican presidential nomination,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Said Kasich: “I don’t know anything about Bush’s theme. I really don’t. I’ve never listened to him. What’s ‘Right to Rise’? Getting up in the morning?”

Gov. John Kasich (R), “who has been actively gauging reactions to a possible campaign for president in 2016, is now moving rapidly to assemble the staff and financial resources for such a bid and is looking to declare his candidacy sometime after June 30,” the Washington Post reports.