Donald Trump’s campaign chairman on Monday said that Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is scheduled to be in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention but won’t necessarily attend the convention itself, is “embarrassing” the state with his actions.
“He’s making a big mistake,” Mr. Manafort said of Mr. Kasich on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “He’s looking at something that’s not going to happen, he’s hurting his state — he’s embarrassing [the] state, frankly.”
Mr. Kasich’s team put out a list of events the governor plans to attend in and around Cleveland this week that includes events with the Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire delegations. But the former 2016 GOP presidential contender has still refused to endorse Mr. Trump.
“But most of the Republicans who aren’t coming are people who have been part of the past,” Mr. Manafort said. “People who are part of the future of the Republican party are frankly going to be here participating in the program.”
“What we’re trying to accomplish is not to have a heavily laden program of politicians, but the goal of this convention for Donald Trump is to show the rest of the story of who Donald Trump is,” he said.
The Republican National Convention kicks off Monday in Cleveland.
John Weaver, a chief strategist for Mr. Kasich’s 2016 presidential campaign, said on Twitter in response: “Manafort bringing ’professionalism’ to Trump, attacking @JohnKasich this morning. Just another pivot after great VP rollout. #ClownShow”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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