Kasich says Cruz compact 'not a big deal'

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is urging people in Indiana to vote for him, despite his agreement to stand aside in that state.

That's the Republican presidential candidate's message about 13 hours after he announced an arrangement to give rival Ted Cruz "a clear path" in Indiana, which holds a primary election next week. In exchange, Cruz is to give Kasich a clear path in Oregon and New Mexico.

The arrangement is designed to prevent front-runner Donald Trump from clinching the nomination. Kasich addressed the matter publicly for the first time as he campaigned in Philadelphia on Monday.

Kasich says of Indiana voters, "I've never told them not to vote for me. They ought to vote for me." He says he simply agreed not to spend "resources" in Indiana.

He's also playing down the significance of the extraordinary arrangement.

He says, "It's not a big deal."

The Gayly- 4/25/2016 @ 10:18 AM CDT