Kasich talks about defeating ISIS during stop in Spartanburg

Republican presidential candidate John Kasich said a coalition needs to be created to destroy ISIS and America should lead the effort.

"I don't think we have any choice but to assume our leadership role in the world and put a group of countries together — our European friends and the Arab countries that know their existence is threatened as well — and we just have to go and destroy ISIS," Kasich said. "I believe that the United States should be working right now to lead a coalition just like we had in the first Gulf War."

Kasich called the terrorists who attacked Paris "a group of determined radical murderers who despise our way of life." Kasich said he didn't believe President Barack Obama was doing enough to combat ISIS. A bombing campaign alone will not destroy ISIS, Kasich said.

"We can destroy ISIS. I don't have any doubt," he said. "We as a nation are going to have to sacrifice."

Kasich suggested the United States should enforce no-fly zones on Syria's border with Turkey and Jordan and to better supply Kurdish fighters. He also said the United States needs to make its military stronger.

"We are going to have to rebuild our military," Kasich said. "It's going to take a lot of money, but we have got to make sure that when we rebuild, we are not throwing money away."

Kasich also addressed his opposition to Syrian refugee resettlement.

"We don't know who they are we don't know where they've come from and there are people who are intent on destroying our neighbors," he said.

When it comes to the economy, Kasich said he would work to ensure the nation had a balanced budget and lower taxes.

Despite his low standing in the national polls, Kasich said he remained optimistic about his campaign.

Bobby Beauvais of Spartanburg and Glenn Isaac of Pacolet were among those who attended the event. Both are military veterans.

Beauvais said he attended to find out more about Kasich. For Beauvais, building and maintaining a strong military is important.

"I think he is the most qualified and logical person to be running," Isaac said.