Kasich: ‘Disappointing’ Trump didn’t seek to unite in Phoenix comments

Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he’s disappointed that President Trump “refused” an attempt to mend the country’s political divisions during a campaign-style rally Tuesday night.

“I’ve repeatedly encouraged POTUS to unite our country. It was disappointing that last night in Phoenix, he once again refused,” Kasich tweeted Wednesday. 

“After all, what greatness has America ever accomplished by tearing down its own?” he wrote. “We must all unite for a common goal: A stronger America.”

I’ve repeatedly encouraged POTUS to unite our country. It was disappointing that last night in Phoenix, he once again refused. 1/

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 23, 2017

After all, what greatness has America ever accomplished by tearing down its own?

We must all unite for a common goal: A stronger America.2/

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 23, 2017

Kasich’s comments came a day after Trump delivered a defiant and fiery speech to a crowd of supporters in Phoenix in which he ripped the media and defended his comments in the wake of violent protests in Charlottesville, Va.

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In his remarks, Trump took aim at news outlets that cover his administration critically, threatened to shut down the government over funding for his border wall between the U.S. and Mexico and called out two Republican senators, who have spoken critically of him.

But he took a more subdued tone in a speech on Wednesday at the American Legion’s national convention in Nevada, where he called for the nation to heal its political divisions.

“It is time to heal the wounds that divide us and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us,” he said. “We are one people with one home and one great flag.”

Kasich has emerged as a vocal Republican critic of Trump, and has repeatedly called for the president to abandon his often inflammatory rhetoric.