Ohio Gov. John Kasich continued to walk back his comments about creating a federal agency to promote “Judeo-Christian values” around the world in the aftermath of the recent attacks in Paris. He said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he was talking about what he called “the Western ethic.”
“What is it about? It’s about life. It’s about equality of women. It’s about the freedom of religion,” Kasich said. “It’s not about going to church, that’s not what I’m talking about.”
He said this is part of his comprehensive strategy against ISIS, which includes NATO forces, a coalition of Arab allies, ground forces and no-fly zones.
“I’ve said we could win the battle of bullets … but we have to also engage in the battle of ideas when we have many people, including many young people looking for meaning in life somewhere other than in Western civilization,” he said.
Kasich made headlines last week when, in both an interview with NBC News and at a speech at the National Press Club, he called for the creation of an agency that would promote what it means to be part of a Judeo-Christian society. He said later that a new agency is not necessary, calling for “breathing life into” Voice of America, a U.S. government-funded broadcast system that reaches nearly 188 million people across the globe weekly.
On “Meet the Press,” Kasich said he is proud to see many moderate Muslims condemning the Paris attacks, and he will invite anyone who wants to help spread ideas of freedom. He also continued to criticize Donald Trump for his recent comments about registering Muslims.
“I've been in a virtual war with Donald Trump over these things,” Kasich said, referring to his recent Twitter war with Trump. “I flat out condemn the idea that we were going to have Muslims register.”