"I think more and more people across this country see no purpose for political parties,” John Kasich said. | AP Photo Kasich: 'Political parties are disintegrating'

The Republican and Democratic parties are “disintegrating before our very eyes,” Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Sunday.

In an interview with Chuck Todd of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the former GOP presidential candidate pleaded for Republicans to work with Democrats on their legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. Without Democratic support, he suggested, the American Health Care Act will be unsustainable if it’s signed into law.


“If you don't get both parties together, nothing is sustainable,” Kasich said. “I mean, if they pass this just by themselves, we'll be back at this again.”

Kasich, who has met with President Donald Trump in the White House, indicated that Trump would be “flexible” with Democrats on the AHCA because he wants to pass something. On the same day he extended an olive branch for bipartisanship, however, Trump claimed Obamacare was created to explode in 2017, once former President Barack Obama was out of office.

Asked how to get Democrats involved when the president is saying such things, Kasich lamented the politics of seemingly everything in Washington.

“Look, I believe the political parties are disintegrating before our very eyes. I think more and more people across this country see no purpose for political parties,” he said.

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“There are more and more independents because of the squabbling,” he continued. “What's at risk here to Democrats is you can't turn your back on these people. And to Republicans, you need to invite Democrats in because we're talking about lives.”

Failing to work together to improve America’s health care system, Kasich added, could have dire consequences.

“All this consumption with who gains politically — you know, life is short,” Kasich said. “And if all you focus on in life is what's in it for me, you're a loser. You are a big-time loser. And this country better be careful we're not losing the soul of our country because we play politics and we forget people who are in need.”

