Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich appeared at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland Monday just days after presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump named Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate instead of Gingrich.
Gingrich is one of Trump's highest-profile surrogates at this year's convention. A high-profile Republican not at this year's convention is Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Kasich was the last of 16 candidates opposing Trump for the GOP nomination to drop out of contention. Unlike former candidates Chris Christie and Ben Carson, Kasich has not offered Trump his support.
Despite sending 66 delegates from Ohio to the convention with his March primary win, Kasich is opting to skip the convention being held in his own state.
Gingrich said that Republicans are "puzzled" by Kasich's absence.
"I mean he's the host, it's his state, he signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee," Gingrich said about his former House of Representatives colleague. "I like John very much. He's a good friend, but this behavior is very peculiar."
Carson was more diplomatic about Kasich's absence.
"It just signals that he doesn't like what is going on," Carson said.
Carson said Republicans who are not supporting Trump are not looking at the big picture.
"I think there are a number of Republicans who are concerned about the way they feel and whether they like somebody and whether they have been given a fair chance. They really are not thinking about their children and their grandchildren and what is going to happen if we become a country that has two to four more progressive Supreme Court justices."
