With Rubio/Kasich, Republicans are very likely pick up both Ohio and Florida -- two very close states which they NEED if they have any shot at the Presidency these days.

If Rubio/Kasich carries every state carried by Romney in 2012, PLUS Ohio and Florida, that's 253 electoral votes right there. Romney pretty much only carried the "safe' Republican states in 2012, so those states are likely to go Republican again in 2016. So once Rubio/Kasich have 253, all they need is to score a total of 17 more from swing states of Nevada (6), New Mexico (5), Colorado (9), Iowa (6), New Hampshire (4), and Virginia (13). So, for example, just Virginia and New Mexico would get it done, as would Nevada/Colorado/New Hampshire.

I could easily see the distrust of Hillary carrying 17 votes for Rubio/Kasich in the above-named states.

They just need to make sure that they don't give up Ohio or Florida -- which a Rubio/Kasich ticket would be ideal to accomplish that.