Atlanta — Ohio governor John Kasich responded to Donald Trump’s comments without making any mention of Trump himself.

Kasich tweeted this statement:

“Everyone deserves respect and dignity, whether they agree with you or not. You don’t tear people down just because they disagree with you or stand up to you or question you. I deliberately seek out different views in my life and work, and I am grateful for the strong women in my family, in my office, in my cabinet and on my campaign because they improve everything they touch.

The statement was tweeted as “Gov. Kasich on recent statements about @megynkelly of FOX news.”

Republican presidential hopefuls have tread carefully around Trump with this statement and past controversies, often avoiding attacking him outright. Campaigns presumably see little reason to give him more oxygen. What’s more, many candidates would prefer to stay above the fray: There seems to be little benefit to getting drawn into a back and forth with a candidate who might just turn around and call you a “total loser.”