Kasich's NH showing could be tough to convert into more wins

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential contender John Kasich spent time and money winning over New Hampshire voters.

By contrast, his campaign — which has far less cash than any of his closest competitors — has spent nothing on advertising in South Carolina and the outside groups backing him have put out barely anything.

Even Trump, a master of free publicity, is spending $1.2 million on paid ads.

Kasich, who like his rivals has several days of back-to-back South Carolina events planned, has spent little time in the state and has fewer employees and volunteers compared with the others.

[...] given the steep climb in South Carolina and the next few states, Kasich must act quickly to convert his New Hampshire win into a cash wave.

[...] Bush's super political action committee, Right to Rise, has spent more than $100,000 on mailings to South Carolinians that cast Kasich, among others, in a negative light, filings with the Federal Election Commission show.

Associated Press writers Steve Peoples in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Bill Barrow in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.