By MEG KINNARD, Associated Press

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Ohio Gov. John Kasich is stressing that the Republican Party should come to grips with the reality that it will need less extremism and more pragmatism to beat Democrats in 2016.

Otherwise, Kasich fears that Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton will win the general election.

Kasich made the remarks Wednesday evening during a town hall meeting in South Carolina hosted by Sen. Tim Scott,

To be successful in the general election, Kasich says his party's candidates need to focus on issues like the budget and growing the economy.

During the Veterans Day stop on Hilton Head Island, Kasich also said that ensuring jobs and health care for those who have served in the military would be a top priority if he were president.