It is vital to listen to members of the community who feel disenfranchised, Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich told ABC's
"This Week."
Kasich, who was re-elected by 31 percentage points in November, created a task force last week to look into ways to improve relations between minority communities after the U.S. Justice Department found Cleveland's Division of Police had a pattern of excessive force.
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"When there is a significant percentage of your country that believes that the system's not working for them, but can be working against them, they need to be listened to," Kasich said. "I think it's what the Lord wants us to do."
He said the polarization in the country needs to be reduced, whether it is between black and white, rich and poor or Republican and Democrat.
Kasich, seen as a moderate Republican, pointed to his state's hiring of minority contractors in a new highway project.
He deflected questions of whether he'll seek the presidency in 2016. He last ran for the White House in 1999.
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