Trent Lott endorses John Kasich

Former Republican Senate majority leader Trent Lott has endorsed GOP presidential hopeful John Kasich.

Lott said in a statement Tuesday, "We need his keen budget mind in the White House to help get our federal budget reined in. His long experience on national security and foreign policy is just as critical."

Lott's credentials from the Senate could help Kasich avoid the "RINO" -- or "Republican In Name Only" label from the party's more conservative base.

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This is another major endorsement for his campaign. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley recently backed him. And he got a ringing endorsement from "Deez Nuts" — a self-proclaimed third party candidate that isn't actually qualified to run ... Because he's a 15-year-old high school kid in Iowa whose real name is Brady Olsen.

Veteran New Hampshire Republican Tom Rath and even the NBA's Charles Barkley have given Kasich praise.

In the latest CNN/ORC poll, Kasich is tied with Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina with five percent of support from registered GOP voters.

2016 candidates' first tweets:

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