Calling it a “somber day, a tough day,” in Orlando, Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, weighed in on the terrorist attacks on Paris and the war on terror in general, calling it an “attack on Western civilization.”
Kasich spoke at the Republican Party of Florida’s (RPOF) Sunshine Summit and denounced the Islamic terrorism in Paris as an “attack on our way of life.”
The Ohio governor, now running for the Republican presidential nomination, said the U.S. needed to do more against terrorism than it has under President Barack Obama.
“The United States of America has not shown leadership,” Kasich insisted, calling for NATO to use Article V as an ally had been attacked. “We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with France and the French people.”
Kasich called on Obama to go to Europe to work with America’s allies and urged for more intelligence coordination. Saying “action is required,” Kasich insisted it was time for “joint military action to destroy ISIS.”
Stressing the importance of liberty and women’s rights in the Western tradition, Kasich said the U.S. and its allies needed to “win the war of ideas” against ISIS and Islamic terrorism, including the idea “that lives matter.” In more concrete terms, Kaisch supported enforcing a no fly zone in Syria.
Urging listeners to embrace an “American point of view,” Kasich called for them to remind children of America’s role in world history and the hope it represents.
Kasich was somber in his speech, insisting it was not the time for politics or campaigning. He kept his speech short, saying this is a time for healing and reflection.
“God bless the United States of America and God bless the nation of France,” Kasich closed to applause.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
