Kasich camp fires back at GOP chairman for apparent threat over governor's refusal to endorse Trump

John Kasich's chief strategist ripped GOP chairman Reince Priebus over his Sunday threat hinting that the governor might have some difficulty running again for the presidency in 2020 if he does not endorse Donald Trump.

John Weaver, who was the chief strategist for Kasich's presidential campaign, said Priebus is "unable to stand up for core principles or beliefs" in a Sunday statement.

Kasich, the Ohio governor, has refused to endorse Trump, the Republican nominee, after bowing out of the presidential race in early May.

"Thankfully, there are still leaders in this country who put principles before politics," Weaver wrote. "Throughout his life, Governor John Kasich has always made decisions based on what is best for our country. The idea of a greater purpose beyond oneself may be alien to political party bosses like Reince Priebus, but it is at the center of everything Governor Kasich does."

"He will not be bullied by a Kenosha political operative that is unable to stand up for core principles or beliefs," he continued, naming Priebus' hometown in Wisconsin. "In fact, Reince should be thanking the Governor for standing for an inclusive, conservative vision that can actually win a national election and improve our country."

Weaver added that Kasich is "traveling the nation" to support down ballot Republicans who could be the victim of a "potential national wipeout" that he said would occur "on Reince's watch."

During a Sunday interview on CBS' "Face the Nation," Priebus said Trump's former primary challengers might face trouble in 2020 or 2024 if they do not announce their support for Trump.

"Those people need to get on board," he said. "And if they're thinking they're going to run again someday, I think that we're going to evaluate the process - of the nomination process and I don't think it's going to be that easy for them."

Kasich, along with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, have prominently refused to endorse Trump since he wrapped up the party's nomination in May. Priebus said the party would "look at" potential penalties for those who have not endorsed Trump that are considering a future presidential bid. Every GOP presidential hopeful signed a loyalty pledge last summer stating they would support the eventual nominee no matter who it was.

"People in our party are talking about what we're going to do about this. I mean there's a ballot access issue in South Carolina," Priebus said. "In order to be on the ballot in South Carolina, you actually have to pledge your support to the nominee, no matter who that person is. So what's the penalty for that? It's not a threat, but that's just the question that we have a process in place."

"And if a private entity puts forward a process and has agreement with the participants in that process, and those participants don't follow through with the promises that they made in that process, what - what should a private party do about that if those same people come around in four or eight years?" he continued.