Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Wednesday warned that Republicans in Congress would face consequences on Election Day if they tried to shut down the government over funding for Planned Parenthood.

“The American people are going to shake their heads and say, 'What's the problem with these Republicans?' ” the 2016 hopeful said during CNN’s main-stage GOP presidential debate Wednesday. “I am not for shutting the government down because I don't think it's going to work out.”

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Kasich’s stance on defunding Planned Parenthood puts him in direct contrast with firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE (R-Texas), a fellow presidential candidate.

Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who is also running for the White House, have urged GOP leaders to defund Planned Parenthood even if it risks a government shutdown — something GOP leaders have strongly opposed.

Instead, Kasich said, the decision to defund Planned Parenthood should be made by governors: “I think there’s a way to get this done,” he said.

Given a similar question, Cruz declined to answer questions about his strategy to defund the government.

“I'm proud to stand for life,” he said. “We need to stop surrendering and start standing for our principles.”

Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett Packard executive and only woman on the stage, delivered an impassioned attack against Planned Parenthood. The healthcare provider has come under attack this summer for a series of videos that were filmed undercover over the use of fetal tissue obtained from abortions.

“This is about the character of our nation,” Fiorina said. “If we allow Obama to veto this bill, shame on us."