John Kasich: ‘I would never have committed’ to Iraq War

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a 2016 GOP presidential candidate, said on Sunday that he would not have sent U.S. troops to Iraq for a war with Saddam Hussein.

{mosads}Kasich, who spent 18 years in Congress, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that “I would never have committed” to Iraq.

By the time of the 2002 vote, he was no longer in Congress.

Kasich also said that the United States “should’ve left a base in Iraq” instead of leaving the country in 2011.

He expressed concerns about the growing power of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the region as well.

“I think ISIS has risen, frankly, because there’s been nobody over there to stop them.”

He said that with all the unrest across the Middle East, “all the religions of the world ought to stand up and say, ‘You blow up innocent men, women, and children, and you think you’re going to paradise, there’s something wrong with you, you’re nuts, and if we catch you, we’re going to throw you into prison, maybe for the rest of your life.’ “

In a similar vein, Kasich also praised Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) for opposing a nuclear deal with Iran.

“I think he’s shown great courage on this deal with Iran,” the governor said.