John Kasich Tests Limits Of GOP Moderation With Comments On Climate Change And Police Body Cameras

In a display of just how far his moderate brand of Republican politics goes, presidential hopeful John Kasich elucidated his positions on criminal justice and climate change Sunday, suggesting he would be open to police-worn body cameras but less welcoming of measures to address climate change.

The Ohio governor referred to human-induced climate as "some theory that's not proven" on NBC's "Meet the Press," and worried that policies meant to limit carbon pollution would cost too many jobs.

Though he voiced sympathy with Pope Francis' recent statements calling for a global attention to climate change, Kasich seemed to hew closer to his GOP competitors on the issue, saying: “I think that man absolutely affects the environment. But as to whether, you know, what the impact is, the overall impact, I think that's a legitimate debate."

Upward of 97 percent of climatologists agree humans contribute to a warming climate.

On the issue of policing in African-American communities, however, Kasich has sought to stand out from his fellow Republican presidential aspirants, which currently number 17.

Responding to a question about body cameras on CNN's "State of the Union," the governor said, "We have to see what passes, but I'm open to anything that's going to improve practices."

He continued, "There are many in the African-American community who think that the government doesn't just work for them but works against them."

The Ohio governor stood out in the first GOP presidential nomination debate Thursday when he cited his Christian faith in his acceptance of same-sex marriage. Though remarks won him some of the loudest applause of the evening and garnered positive news coverage, Kasich still is struggling to rise in the polls.