Where does John Kasich stand on the issues?

John Kasich on ISIS, immigration

In South Carolina Monday, Ohio Governor John Kasich filled out the paperwork to get on the state's ballot. Kasich jumped into the race just last month, but has since seen his poll numbers steadily rise. Kasich sat down with CBS News for an interview about ISIS, immigration and the race for the White House.


FIGHTING ISIS

"I do think we should put boots on the ground, in a coalition to fight, degrade ISIS," said Kasich.

Kasich said it "probably makes more sense" to start in Syria first instead of Iraq because "that is where the headquarters of that caliphate are."

CBS News

IMMIGRATION

On immigration, Kasich toes a softer line than some of his fellow Republican candidates. He would finish construction of a fence along the southern border and give undocumented workers here now a path to legal status, but not citizenship.

Ohio Governor John Kasich CBS News

"The idea that we would go out in cars and hunt people down is just, first of all, it's not doable in order to ship them out," said Kasich. "It's not doable and secondly I don't think it is right. I don't think it is humane."

"READY FOR THIS"

After serving in congress for 18 years, Kasich ran for president in 2000 and quit after a few dismal months. He said this time is different.

"I've never been so ready for this and it is like the perfect time for me to be able to do this," said Kasich.

In a year when outsiders like Donald Trump and Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina are appealing to Republican voters, Kasich says he has the right mix of public and private sector experience.

"People have kind of had it with politicians because they don't think it's working," said Kasich. "I spent a decade out. At some point people want a captain to land the plane. I know when you go to Washington you better understand where the levers are."

BECOMING A TARGET

Kasich said Republican rivals will soon try to brand him as the liberal in the race, pointing to his support in the mid 1990s for a federal assault weapons ban and his acceptance of Medicaid in Ohio under Obamacare.

Kasich said it was a mistake to back the assault weapons ban and that he would still scrap most of the president's health care law.

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.