WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Tuesday he is open to having a select special committee examine the controversial firing of FBI Director James Comey, but he is not ready to support a special prosecutor.

Kasich made the comments during a town hall-style debate with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., which was televised by CNN.

"The things that have swirled around this White House are the reasons that caused me not to move forward and support him both in the primary and going to that Republican convention," Kasich said.

When asked by moderator Jake Tapper whether Donald Trump is competent to be president, Kasich said, "I think (Trump) doesn't understand ... he doesn't understand all the things about the job. ... There is a learning process for when you become president, there is a learning process for anybody."

He said he hoped Trump "will become a unifier," stop tweeting and "bring people together. That's what I want."

Sanders disagreed.

"There's something strange going on, I think, with Mr. Trump," Sanders said. "There has never been a president or even a candidate who has lied all of the time. ...

"This is not a typical president. I don't think is just a learning curve, I think he's a smart guy, but something else is going on. ... All of this leads me to think that you got an authoritarian-type mind here, somebody who is not a great believer in dissent or democracy, and that worries me very much.:

Kasich said Republicans shouldn't "hide" from the controversy, but also cautioned Democrats against exploiting the issue.

Both Sanders and Kasich ran unsuccessful campaigns for president.

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