In the governor’s telling, conservatism must have a moral purpose. Republicans should celebrate those who are successful—Americans do not hate the rich, they want to join them, he likes to say, quoting his late father, a postman. Conservatives should encourage those already on their way (he enthuses about job-training schemes and school reforms, and notes that Ohio is trying to steer more state contracts to non-white entrepreneurs). Lastly, a prosperous state should use its resources to help the weak—those who, in a favourite Kasich phrase, “live in the shadows”, including the mentally ill or drug addicts. He has worked to keep minor offenders out of prison and to help ex-inmates find jobs.

In a string of pre-election rallies he spent no time attacking Mr Obama—an extraordinary omission for a Republican. Instead he urged his fellow Republicans to canvass Democratic relatives and friends (at a rally near Lima this drew a “pshaw” of disdain from one activist). Mr Kasich can sound positively preacher-like, declaring: “When you die and go to heaven, I don’t know that St Peter is going to ask, did you balance the budget? He is probably going to ask what you did for the least of those [around you].”

Spot on analysis. Read it all.