In Two Paths: America Divided or United, being published Tuesday by Thomas Dunne Books, Kasich argues that Trump was able to win the nomination and the White House against all expectations by tapping a long-term erosion in American culture that has left many voters feeling that their lives are spiraling out of control. "That fear turned out to be the driving emotion of the 2016 presidential campaign, and the front-runner tailored his message to stoke that fear," he wrote.

He is on what can seem like a Quixote-like quest, calling for bipartisanship at a time of polarization; for patience when technology has sped the pace of just about everything; and for a pragmatic perspective that assumes problems that took a long time to develop will take a long time to solve.

"Look, the problem is not just the president; it's all the politicians," Kasich, 64, said in a freewheeling interview with Capital Download, USA TODAY's video newsmaker series. "And the problem in the country is not just the politicians. Do I need to say anything more than 'United Airlines' to see how divided and (how) we treat one another as something other than human beings?"

He remains no fan of Trump, but he says the president has been learning in office. At an Oval Office meeting in February, Kasich says he offered to help out on issues down the road, including new steps to regulate the pharmaceutical industry. "He said, 'You're right! You're right!'" Kasich says in a growl mimicking the president.