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John Kasich Feasts In The Bronx, Holds Town Hall In Brooklyn

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Republican presidential candidate John Kasich helped himself to some of Arthur Avenue's best Italian food while campaigning in the Bronx Thursday.

An accordion player welcomed the Ohio governor to Mike's Deli, 2344 Arthur Ave., where the narrow aisles were packed with people, many of whom were students from nearby Fordham University.

"This is like being so alive being in New York," Kasich said.

PHOTOS: John Kasich Visits The Bronx, Brooklyn

He feasted on some Italian delicacies, including sandwiches and pasta fagioli, before getting to the meat of the matter.

While his delegate count is low, Kasich said he will not drop out of the race, WBCS 880's Peter Haskell reported.

"I think our strongest days are ahead of us," Kasich said. "I think our greatest challenges were in the past. We're just going to keep moving."

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Kasich said he's committed through the GOP convention in Cleveland in July.

"And at a convention, delegates are going to examine who can win in the fall, which I am the only one that consistently ran in the fall," Kasich said.

Kasich also held a town hall meeting in Brooklyn Thursday, where he was joined by talk show icon and former U.S. Marine Montel Williams. Kasich emphasized there that he was trying to stay out of the mudslinging, CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported.

"One guy said to me, 'If you would just attack, more you would get more votes,'" he said.

Last week, rival and Republican front-runner Donald Trump argued Kasich shouldn't be allowed to collect future delegates because the nomination is already beyond his grasp.

"If I didn't have Kasich, I automatically win," Trump said Sunday evening in West Allis, Wisconsin.

The Boogie Down has been popular this week with candidates.

Cruz was there Wednesday, but didn't exactly receive a warm welcome. He showed up for a meet-and-greet at a restaurant and was met by a group of protesters shouting, "Get out of the Bronx."

Democrat Hillary Clinton made an unscheduled appearance in the Bronx on Thursday. She talked to reporters outside Yankee Stadium before taking a short subway ride with borough president Ruben Diaz. She was caught on video having a little difficulty swiping her MetroCard.

According to a new Monmouth Poll released Wednesday, Trump has support of 52 percent of likely GOP voters in New York followed by Kasich with 25 percent. Cruz comes in third at 17 percent.

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