Introduction

Joshua Lott for The New York Times

Many of those who’ve known John Kasich for years say they don’t recognize the cool, calm and collected version who’s running for the Republican presidential nomination. Some have called on him to step aside so that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has a better chance to beat Donald Trump. But polls show Kasich, the governor of Ohio, is the only Republican candidate with a net favorable rating and the only one who leads Hillary Clinton in a head-to-head match-up.

Is Kasich Republicans’ best alternative to Trump?