Kasich slams Muslim registry as ‘nonsense’

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is continuing his attack on fellow GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, calling an idea to register Muslims in the U.S. “nonsense.”

“I flat out condemn the idea that we are going to have Muslims register,” Kasich said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“And the idea that we’re going to repel an entire group of people on the basis of their religion? It’s nonsense,” Kasich added.

{mosads}Trump has clarified earlier reports that he wants to track Muslims living in the U.S., saying that he wants to register Syrian refugees and put “some mosques” under surveillance.

Kasich recently launched a $2.5 million ad buy against Trump, prompting the billionaire businessman to retaliate in a 12-tweet tirade last week.

The Ohio governor also discussed his plan on Sunday to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

He said the U.S. can “no doubt” win the “battle of the bullets,” but said the West should not neglect the “battle of ideas.”

“This is almost a metaphysical battle where they are saying they want to destroy our very way of life,” Kasich said. “And I think it’s important we communicate these ideas of the importance of an individual and equality of women and a respect for education and a respect for science.”