Exclusive interview with Governor John Kasich - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

 Republican Governor John Kasich says Mitt Romney has a real shot to win the election after his performance in the first debate this week.

 13 ABC sat down with the Governor in Columbus on Friday for an exclusive interview.

 Kasich jokes the candidates have been in Ohio so much they should start paying income taxes. Kasich has been on the campaign trail with Romney. He says a President Romney would mean a healthier Ohio.

 "The most important thing Mitt Romney did is not only show that he's smart, which everybody already knew, but that he had a sense of people's problems," says Kasich.

 Ohio is a pivotal state in the election. It's a state which is seeing an economic recovery incomparable in the Midwest.  Ohio moved from 48th in the country in job create up to 4th.

 "The reason why Ohio has done better is because companies have felt more secure, our budget's balanced, the taxes are lower, the regulations are better," says Kasich.

 While many in the state hail the auto bailout as the catalyst for Ohio's return, Kasich says business in Ohio is diversifying.

 "Look, we're up 123 thousand jobs, we like our auto jobs, but according to the bureau of labor statistic we're actually down 500 auto jobs," says Kasich.  "In the last quarter the single area of most growth of jobs was I-T. Health care was another big contributor to jobs."

 Kasich says uncertainty in DC has frozen many small businesses with owners who are concerned about the national debt and the impact of the new health care law.

 "Once this election is over if Mitt Romney wins we'll have the wind at our back and we'll be able to create more jobs because there will be more certainty," says Kasich.