Gov. John Kasich: Not Interested in Second-Place VP Nod

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is feeling "extremely optimistic" about a potential run for the presidency, but there is a job that he doesn't want: Vice president.

"Forget it," the Republican governor told ABC "This Week" correspondent Jonathan Karl on Sunday, who pointed out that Kasich's big wins in Ohio, where he has been governor for eight years, position him as a possible vice-presidential nominee. "I don't play for second."

Kasich has already been visiting districts in New Hampshire, and says he's pleased with the metrics he's seen in the past month.

"I'm in the process of accumulating resources," he said Sunday. "I hope people will help me if they like my unique voice in this whole thing and we look at organization."

And while he didn't fully commit on the Sunday news program, he told Karl that "if we meet our metrics, I'm going to move forward. I'm increasingly optimistic about all this."

Kasich is currently considered as an underdog, even to the point that he may not meet a 10-candidate cap set by Fox News for the first Republican debate, being held in Cleveland on Aug. 6, putting the governor in an awkward position of not being able to take the stage in his own home state, reports RealClearPolitics.

The governor, though, told Karl that while he is not worried about "process," he is concerned whether he will have the resources and organization to win the race.

"We're in the process of determining that and let me tell you, again, I'm very optimistic about where we're headed," Kasich said. "At the end of the day, you know how the process works. It's the early primaries that matter."

Kasich said he is also not worried about a "generation clash" and that people may consider him a figure of the past, unlike a younger candidate like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

"What we need is for in a president is somebody who has deep experience, knowledge of foreign affairs and the ability to be an executive, to made decisions and have a bottom line," said Kasich. "I love Rubio, [he's a] terrific guy, … it's pretty clear that America's position in the world is being questioned. And all of this business about young and old. Ronald Reagan was an older dude and I think he did pretty well because he had the experience."

Also on Sunday's show, Kasich addressed the ongoing debate about the extension of the Patriot Act, saying he thinks there is a middle ground when it comes to gathering information.

"I know that intelligence is important," he said, "but I also think that civil liberties are important. So, I do think they ought to continue the program but all of that bulk data probably [should] be put in some sort of organization, quasi-government organization, and we should extend the power of the court that says if you're going to use this kind of surveillance it has to be approved by somebody."

The governor also talked about the advances the Islamic State is making in the Middle East, pointing out that months ago he said that a coalition should stop ISIS, "and if that includes American boots on the ground, so be it."

However, he does think the Obama administration has missed its opportunities on Iraq on "many, many fronts," including undermining its alliance with Israel and ignoring a "red line" President Barack Obama set when it comes to Syria.

Back in Kasich's home state, the governor Sunday praised the people of Cleveland about the reaction to a jury's verdict on Michael Brelo, 31, who faces administrative charges while remaining suspended without pay after he was found not guilty Saturday on two counts of voluntary manslaughter.

"We should look to Cleveland as a model," said Kasich Sunday. "The mayor, the former senator, these are people who have said it's proper to protest, but at the same time, no violence, because violence in a community only destroys the community."

Kasich said months ago, he created a task force on police and community, and believes that the task force has helped to send a message.

"I'm very, very sensitive to this issue," said Kasich. "When there are large numbers of people who don't think the system doesn't work for them, we have to respond to it."

The task force is the only one of its kind in the country, said Kasich, and "it's serving us well."

Kasich said he is also hoping for a resolution soon in the death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was playing with a pellet gun in a park when a rookie police officer shot and killed him.

Related stories:

• ABC's Karl: Kasich 'Virtually Certain' to Mount Presidential Race
• Gov. John Kasich's Quest to Reshape the GOP