Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Sunday he is considering a presidential run because all citizens need to feel they have a chance at the American Dream.
"Everybody has to be lifted, and everybody has to feel they are part of America and part of economic gains," Kasich said on
"Fox News Sunday."
In response to the unrest seen in inner cities of the past year, Kasich said he will be implementing changes statewide after a task force investigated the police shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland in November.
Changes will include a statewide standard on the use of deadly force and an aggressive look at recruiting and hiring practices by law enforcement.
"The whole goal is to fully integrate the police into the community," Kasich said.
Other projects include looking at schools, mentorships and criminal justice reforms.
"People do feel there's an opportunity in Ohio," he said.
Kasich wouldn't give details on his presidential plans, but did say he wouldn't be able to raise the amount of money that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is putting together.
"But we want to raise enough money that we can be competitive," Kasich said.
As to charges he is too moderate to win the Republican nomination, Kasich pointed out he won 86 out of 88 counties in Ohio with 64 percent of the vote, including the conservative vote.
He said he has a history of balancing budgets, cutting taxes and growing jobs.
"I think it's hard to question my conservative credentials," Kasich said.
And as for his no-nonsense personality, he said, "I'm a normal guy in a big job. And I tell it like it is … mixed with an ability to say to people, 'I want you to have a chance, I want you to live the American Dream.'"
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