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Mr. Rubio has developed a policy platform that offers something to different slices of the party. His tax plan rewards families by expanding the Child Tax Credit, something evangelicals will likely appreciate. In a nod to fiscal conservatives, he wants to give states more discretion over their federally financed health-care and poverty programs. In addition, Mr. Rubio has used time in the Senate—he was elected in 2010—to build the profile of a defense hawk, calling for higher levels of military spending and repeatedly criticizing the Obama administration for its negotiations with the Cuban and Iranian regimes. (O'Connor, 4/13)

In his Detroit speech Monday, Mr. Kasich sought to introduce himself to voters in a relatively formal way, recounting his modest upbringing and efforts in Congress to reform military spending and balance budgets. But the two-term governor also decried the lack of recent compromise in Washington that has led to legislative gridlock on a number of issues including immigration. As governor, Mr. Kasich has been seen as more moderate than some in his party. He has supported Common Core educational standards, Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, and higher taxes on the oil and gas industry. He also shook off strong disapproval ratings in 2011. Voters had rejected his effort to curtail collective-bargaining rights for public workers, similar to the effort that has polarized Wisconsin under Gov. Scott Walker, a fellow Republican. (Dolan, 4/13)