>>> GET READY TO VOTE IN AUGUST.

>>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

IN THE END, THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY IN THE OHIO HOUSE HELD.

HOURS BEFORE THE DEADLINE, 62 REPUBLICANS VOTED TO ASK VOTERS IF THEY WANT TO MAKE IT HARDER TO CHANGE THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

IT'S AN EFFORT TO THWART A POSSIBLE VOTE TO GUARANTEE ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THE RESOLUTION, IF APPROVED BY VOTERS WOULD WIRE A 60% MAJORITY.

IT CAME OF THE A MILLION DOLLAR PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AIMED AT HOUSE SPEAKER JASON STEPHENS AND CAME WITH HUNDREDS OF DEMONSTRATORS FILLING THE STATEHOUSE, MOST OF WHOM DENOUNCED THE MOVE.

THIS REMINDED ME OF 2011 IN THE ANTI-COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LOSS AND THE THRONGS OF PROTESTERS AT THE STATEHOUSE, AND THAT EVENTUALLY WENT TO THE BALLOT.

>> YEAH, THAT'S THE SAME VIBE I GOT BEING THERE.

THERE WERE CERTAINLY SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PLAN, BUT OVERWHELMINGLY -- AND THIS WAS A SHOW OF FORCE BY THE HUNDREDS OF GROUPS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO THIS.

YOU GOT THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY, THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICIALS, FOUR OHIO LIVING EXGOVERNORS, FOUR EX ATTORNEYS GENERAL.

HUGE GROUPS THAT ARE OPPOSED FACING OFF AGAINST THE GROUPS AND NOW THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> RIGHT UP UNTIL THE VOTE WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW THE VOTE WAS GOING TO GO.

ONE VOTE IN OUTSTANDING, NOVEMBER, NOW THE RESOLUTION.

THERE WERE 8, 10 REPUBLICANS THAT WERE WAVERING.

WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE FOR THEM?

I THINK IT WAS ULTIMATELY IF THEY WANTED TO BE SEEN AS VOTING AGAINST THIS ISSUE.

RIGHT TO LIFE WAS INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE ITCH US THE FOR THIS AUGUST ELECTION.

AND I THINK WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT, THEY WERE BEING TOLD, YOU MIGHT FACE A PRIMARY.

YOU MIGHT FACE A DIFFICULT ROAD NEXT YEAR.

DO YOU WANT TO BE THE PERSON WHO ALLOWED, POTENTIALLY, ABORTION TO BE CODIFIED IN THE CONSTITUTION?

AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT -- IT WAS A LOT OF PRESSURE.

>> IS THIS, MARK -- WE DID AWAY WITH AUGUST ELECTIONS JUST THIS YEAR, SAYING IT'S LOW TURNOUT, IT'S NOT FAIR, BUT THEY'VE REVERSED COURSE ON THAT.

THEY RUSHED THIS THROUGH.

IS THIS THE WAY TO CHANGE THE OHIO CONSTITUTION?

>> THE PEOPLE WILL DECIDE.

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER.

WASN'T MUCH OF A MYSTERY IN THE SENATE.

THE SENATE OF COURSE WAS GOING TO VOTE THIS WAY.

THIS WAS ALL A MYSTERY BECAUSE OF SOME CONFLICTING FACTIONS IN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS, AND PEOPLE UNSURE ABOUT WHAT THE VOTE COUNT WAS, BUT NOW LET'S NOT GET ALL PANICKED.

THE VOTERS GET TO DECIDE.

IF INDEED THE OHIOANS ARE OPPOSED TO RAISING THE NUMBER, THEN LIFE GOES ON.

>> NO, IT'S NOT THE WAY TO DO IT, AND AS YOU'RE WATCHING WHAT'S GOING ON, A NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE WHO FAVOR THE 60% SAID, WE'RE PROTECTING THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

I MEAN, FRANK LaROSE REALLY HURT HIS REPUTATION AMONG POLITICAL INFLUENCERS.

RANK AND FILE, THIS IS ALL INSIDE BASEBALL.

YOU'RE PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTION.

THIS IS THE VERY SAME GROUP WHO IN FACT IGNORED THE CONSTITUTION IN TERMS OF REDISTRICTING.

AND IN FACT IGNORED THE OHIO SUPREME COURT TWICE THE TERMS OF -- SO THEY'RE -- >> THE CONSTITUTION'S BEING WRITTEN LIKE THE GAMBLING INTEREST.

YOU DON'T DENY THAT, DO YOU?

THEY WROTE A MONOPOLY, THE GAMBLING CASINOS.

>> LET ME TELL YOU HOW THAT HAPPENED.

BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES, WHETHER IT'S GAMBLING, MARIJUANA, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

TO YOUR ARGUMENT, MARK, DID THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION, OR DID VOTERS CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION?

>> I'M FOR IT, BUT THE NOTION THAT SOMEHOW PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTION IS WRONG, PUTTING A SUPERMAJORITY IN THERE SO OUR CONSTITUTION DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A STATUTE.

IT HAS THE PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF THE CASINOS BUILT INTO IT.

THAT'S NO WAY TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION.

>> DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN IF THE LEGISLATURE HAD TAKEN THE LEAD.

THE POINT HERE IS THE LEGISLATURE THAT JUST APPROVED THIS IS A GERRYMANDERED LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S 67 REPUBLICANS.

A FAIRLY APPORTIONED LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE HAD MAYBE 57.

IT'S A CHARADE IN TERMS OF SAYING, YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THE SANCTITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

>> THE SPEAKER SAID HE HAD NO INTEREST IN DOING THIS.

HE VOTED FOR THIS THIS WEEK.

THERE WAS SOME TALK THAT HE PROMISED DEMOCRATS THAT HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT THIS, AND THAT'S WHY THEY BACKED HIM FOR SPEAKER.

DID HE BREAK A PROMISE TO DEMOCRATS?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION, AND CERTAINLY THE 32 DEMOCRATS MIGHT VIEW THIS AS SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T PLAN FOR.

THERE WERE FIVE REPUBLICANS THAT ALSO JOINED THOSE 32 DEMOCRATS IN VOTING AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO ASK ABOUT IS -- AND THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BY SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE IN OPPOSITION.

IF YOU WANT TO CONSTITUTION TO LOOK LESS LIKE A POLICY DOCUMENT, WHY NOT MAKE IT EASIER TO DO THE INITIATED STATUTE, WHERE VOTERS AND GROUPS AND CITIZENS CAN CREATE LAWS THROUGH A VALID ISSUE RATHER THAN A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NOT IN THIS AT ALL.

THIS MAKES IT HARDER TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION BUT DOESN'T STEER PEOPLE TOWARDS THE STATUTES.

>> THAT WAS PROPOSED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

THE FOLKS OPPOSED TO THE 60% THRESHOLD HAVE GONE TO COURT AND SAID THIS JOINT RESOLUTION CANNOT CALL FOR AN ELECTION, CANNOT CHANGE STATE LAW ALLOWING FOR THE AUGUST ELECTION.

>> YEAH, AS IF THINGS COULDN'T GET MORE COMPLICATED.

SO ORIGINALLY THIS WAS MOVING WITH A SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WAS GOING TO CREATE AN AUGUST ELECTION.

NOW, THE LEGISLATURE OBVIOUSLY HAS THE RIGHT TO SET TIME AND DATE OF ELECTIONS.

THAT'S THEIR POWER.

NO ONE'S QUESTIONING THAT.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER A RESOLUTION CAN FIAT ONE INTO EXISTENCE.

WE DON'T QUITE KNOW AN ANSWER TO THAT.

AYE HEARD ARGUMENTS FROM LEGAL FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS.

THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GO TO THE OHIO SUPREME COURT.

>> WHAT'S AN OHIO ELECTION WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE LAWSUIT?

THE CAMPAIGN FOR AND AGAINST THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BEGAN MINUTES AFTER THE HOUSE VOTE.

THE NEWLY CREATED ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE COALITION SAID OHIOANS WON'T FALL FOR A PERSONAL PLOY TO GET VOTERS TO GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS.

OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE SAID THE FUTURE OF THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION NOW RESTS COMPLETELY IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE POLITICAL CLASS.

SEVERAL BUSINESS GROUPS AS WE MENTIONED HAVE SIGNED ON THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE CHANGES, CHIEF AMONG THEM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNA, STAY WITH IT.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DID NOT WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THE ABORTION ISSUE, BUT IT'S WEIGHED IN ON THIS.

WHAT'S THEIR REASONING?

>> THEY SAY THEY HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

YOU LOOK AT RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

THAT GOT ON THE BALLOT.

THERE'S TALK OF A $15 MINIMUM WAGE GETTING ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE ABOUT WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD LOOK LIKE AND HOW IT CAN BE AMENDED.

THAT DOESN'T REALLY SURPRISE ME IN TERMS OF THAT.

I THINK THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THE ABORTION ISSUE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR MOST BUSINESSES TO TAKE A PUBLIC POSITION ON IT.

>> MARK, FORMER GOVERNOR TAFT, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HE OPPOSED THIS IS HE POINTS TO THE THIRD FRONTIER PROJECT, WHICH WAS IN THE EARLY 2000s, THE STATE BOARD A BUNCH OF MONEY AND STILL VOTED A COUPLE TIMES, AT LEAST ONE OTHER TIME SINCE THEN, BUT THAT NOW WOULD REQUIRE A 60% MARGIN.

THEY'VE GOT 57% WHEN IT WAS FIRST APPROVED.

WOULDN'T THE CHAMBER BE WORRIED ABOUT FUTURE STATE BORROWING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT?

>> I WAS THEIR CONSULTANT ON THOSE.

I WORKED WITH GOVERNOR TAFT.

WE AIMED FOR THE PERCENTAGE WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED TO WIN.

WHEN GOU INTO A GAME KNOWING YOU NEED MORE, YOU GET MORE AND STRUCTURE YOUR CAMPAIGN AROUND THAT.

HAD WE KNOWN THEN WE NEEDED 60% WE WOULD HAVE RUN A DIFFERENT CAMPAIGN, PROBABLY A MORE EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGN WITH A BIGGER TURNOUT.

>> WOULD YOU HAVE WON?

>> OH, YEAH.

WE DIDN'T SPEND A LOT OF MONEY GIVEN IT WAS A STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUE.

WE WEREN'T TURNING OUT HOUSE BY HOUSE.

THAT'S WHAT CAMPAIGNS DO WHEN THEY WANT BIG NUMBERS.

>> FOR THIS VOTE, WILL IT COME FROM NATIONAL, STATE, EVERYWHERE?

WILL IT DRAW A LOT OF MONEY?

>> OH, YEAH.

THIS IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.

IN TERMS OF REPRODUCT YOU'VE RIGHTS, THE ABORTION AMENDMENT, WHAT'S HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES -- MICHIGAN, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, THE PRO CHOICE SIDE HAS BEEN REALLY HAD A SERIES OF VICTORIES IF THESE STATES, SO I THINK OHIO REALLY BECOMES A POINT OF STATES FOR PEOPLE LIKE MIKE GONIDAKIS AND OTHERS TO SAY, IT STOPS HERE, WE'RE GOING TO WIN HERE AND THE OTHER SIDE WILL SAY, NO, NO, WE'RE GOING TO WIN.

IF YOU ACTUALLY READ PUBLIC OPINION POLLS IN OHIO -- AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME GOOD POLLS -- THERE'S CERTAINLY A MAJORITY, A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF OHIOANS WHO FAVOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS WITH APPROPRIATE -- THE ABORTION THING STARTED MONTHS AGO WITH ADS ON TV SAYING, OH, MY GOD, IF THIS AMENDMENT GETS ON THE BALLOT, PARENTS ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR RIGHTS OVER THEIR KIDS AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE ABORTION IN THE NINTH MONTH.

THAT'S A LIE.

>> THAT'S NOT A LIE, THOUGH, BECAUSE IT SAYS ACTUALLY IN THE AMENDMENT THAT NO PERSON SHALL INHIBIT -- A PARENT IS A PERSON -- THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER PERSON, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ABORTION.

THAT BUT NOT LIMITED TO IS A GIANT LOOPHOLE THAT SOME JUDGE WILL READ ALL SORTS OF THINGS INTO, INCLUDING A CHILD BEING ABLE TO COME AND ASK FOR PUBERTY BLOCKERS OF A SEX CHANGE.

>> WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO HERE IS GIVE THE INTERPRETATION, THAT PROBABLY IS EXTREMELY FARFETCHED.

WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A LOOPHOLE THERE AND SCARE THE HELL OUT OF VOTERS THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> WILL THIS MONEY BE SPENT ON ADVERTISING OR GRASSROOTS?

BECAUSE TURNOUT IS EVEN MORE CRUCIAL.

KAREN?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE BOTH.

YOU'RE GOING SEE ADS.

BEING AN AUGUST ELECTION, IF IT HAPPENS, PEOPLE AREN'T NECESSARILY THINKING ABOUT GOING OUT TO VOTE, IS THE VOTER EDUCATION IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE BIG TO REMIND PEOPLE, WHAT'S AT STAKE.

>> NOT TO MENTION, PEOPLE WATCH LESS TELEVISION IN THE SUMMER.

TLNT BIG SPORTING EVENTS.

THERE IS BASEBALL BUT HASN'T KICKED UP INTO THE WORLD SERIES, AND PEOPLE ARE ON VACATION AND IT'S GORGEOUS OUT AND YOU'RE DOING LOTS OF OTHER THINGS BESIDES WATCHING TELEVISION, AND THAT'S PROBABLY AN INTERESTING CHALLENGE FOR AN AUGUST CAMPAIGN.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE RIDER STRIKE GOING ON.

I WONDER IF THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT -- PEOPLE WON'T BE WATCHING AS MUCH TV.

>> COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES, NFL GAMES.

THAT'S WHERE THE ADS WERE THIS PAST FALL.

>> BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT, THAT'S IT, IF IT ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

THE OPPONENTS HAVE A SIMPLE MESSAGE THEY'LL REPEAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN -- DON'T LET THEM TAKE AWAY YOUR POWER, YOUR INFLUENCE.

DON'T LET THOSE PEOPLE IN COLUMBUS -- AND THAT WILL PLAY.

IT PLAYS WITH THE LIBERTARIANS, WITH SOME CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE.

NOW, AGAIN, THE OTHER SIDE WILL SAY, WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION AGAINST THIS, THIS, AND THIS, BUT I THINK PROBABLY EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THE TURNOUT MODEL --.

THIS IS SUCH A WEIRD ELECTION, AND I DO THINK, ACTUALLY, THE PRO LIFE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE MORE ENERGIZED AT THE BEGINNING.

BUT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A SIMPLE MESSAGE -- DON'T LET THEM TAKE OUR POWER AWAY.

>> THAT IS A PRETTY SIMPLE NO MESSAGE, AND NO TENDS TO WIN IF PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED.

BUT GO BACK TO SENATE BILL FIVE, ANTI-COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LAW, 2011.

REPUBLICANS DEFINITELY OVERREACHED ON THAT.

THEY GOT IT ON THE BALLOT AND IT GOT KILLED WHEN IT WENT TO THE BALLOT.

HAVE REPUBLICANS OVERREACHED ON THIS 60% THRESHOLD?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

OF COURSE WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT.

I WAS INVOLVED ON THE ISSUE.

I WAS ON THE NO SIDE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR CAME AFTER THE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL.

WHICH WAS A HUGE MISTAKE.

POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS ARE POPULAR.

I WAS PART OF THE COALITION THAT PUT POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS TOGETHER.

GIVEN THAT LESS THAN 10% OF PEOPLE TURN OUT IN AN AUGUST ELECTION, IT WILL BE INTERESTING THE SEE WHETHER THAT NUMBER DOUBLES OR TRIPLES AND, EVERYONE THEN THAT WOULD BE A LOW TURNOUT ELECTION FOR SUCH A HIGH PROFILE ISSUE.

>> VERY DIABOLICAL NOTION WOULD BE IF IN FACT THE COURT SAYS, OKAY, THERE'S NO AUGUST ELECTION, AND THEN IN NOVEMBER YOU WIND UP HAVING TWO ISSUES ON THE BALLOT.

>> HOW DO THEY RELATE TO ONE ANOTHER?

>> THOSE OF US WHO MIGHT SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS BUT THINKING THE MAJORITY, NEITHER ARE BAD, WE WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE YES AND NO.

>> ALSO THREE SUPPORT SEATS UP AT THE ELECTION.

>> TRYING TO VOTE NO ON YES.

IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

>> VOTER CONFUSION.

>> YOU NEED, LIKE, LITTLE STICKERS AND WRITE YES ON 1, NO ON 2.

>> I FORGET WHICH ELECTION RECENTLY, IN THE FAIRLY RECENT HISTORY WAS LIKE THAT.

IT WAS ONE OF THESE CASINO ISSUES OR SMOKING BAN ISSUES OR SOMETHING.

>> ACTUALLY, THE ISSUE DEALING WITH LESS TAX INCREASES AND THE MARGIN YOU WOULD NEED IN THE FUTURE TO APPROVE TAX INCREASES OR WHATEVER, THOSE OF US IN HIGHER EDUCATION, OTHER SPENDERS HAD SOME VERY SIMPLE MESSAGES -- VOTE NO.

AND OF COURSE THE CAMPAIGN, WHO ARE OPPOSE TO THE TAX INCREASES CALLED THEM STOP EXCESSIVE TAXATION, BUT THEY WANTED A YES VOTE, BUT CALLED THEMSELVES STOP -- MADE IT SO EASY TO HURT YOU.

>> ANYWAY.

SHERWOOD BROWN FACE A TOUGH RE-ELECTION FIGHT.

THE DEMOCRAT WILL RUN IN A RED STATE LIKELY AGAINST A WELL FUNDED OPPONENT.

PERHAPS TO SEPARATE HIMSELF FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN BROWN HAS BROKEN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TWICE THIS MONTH.

FIRST HE VOTED TO RESCIND THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION TO DELAY NEW TARIFFS ON SOLAR IMPORTS FROM ASIA AND THIS WEEK CAME OUT FOR MORE MILITARY AT THE BORDER.

HE CAME OUT WITH LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND TITLE 42, WHICH RESTRICTED MIGRANTS INTO THE U.S. DURING THE COVID.

HE CALLED FOR TROOPS AT THE BORDER.

DENOUNCED IMMIGRATION POLICIES TO GEORGE H.W.

BUSH THROUGH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

PROFESSOR IS THIS A TACT TOWARDS THE MIDDLE?

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN ON TRADE, SO SOLAR STUFF IS NOT NEW.

>> FIRST ONE.

HE BROKE WITH BILL CLINTON ON NAFTA AND VOTED AGAINST NAFTA.

SO HE'S BEEN CONSISTENT ABOUT SAYING, I WANT TO PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS AND I WANT THESE SOLAR PANELS TO BE MANUFACTURED IN AMERICA.

WE DON'T WANT A LOOPHOLE THAT WOULD ALLOW CHINA TO SEND THEM TO OTHER COUNTRIES WITH NO TARIFFS AND SEND THEM HERE.

THAT'S CONSISTENT.

ON IMMIGRATION I THINK WE'VE ALL SEEN WHAT A HOT BUTTON THIS ISSUE IS RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE -- DEMOCRATS WHO ARE GETTING NERVOUS ABOUT THIS SAYING PRESIDENT BIDEN, 1,500 IS NOT ENOUGH.

15,000 MIGHT BE NECESSARY.

THE SAD THING HERE IS THE WORSE THIS CRISIS GETS, PROBABLY THE BETTER IT IS FOR THE REPUBLICANS IN 2024, BUT THAT'S NOT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

SO THE QUESTION OF A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION NOW IS NOT VERY LIKELY.

>> THE ADS, I CAN SEE THEM NOW -- I BROKE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN ON -- TO PROTECT JOBS AND TO PROTECT OUR BORDER.

>> HE'LL WIN THE SPRINT RECORD TO RUN AWAY FROM JOE BIDEN'S RECORD.

HE'S AMONG THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE IN THE STATE, THOSE WHO WIN THE LOTTERY AND HIS LUCK IN HAVING WON THIS SENATE SEAT THREE TIMES.

2006 WAS THE BEST DEMOCRAT YEAR OF THE MODERN ERA.

FACED A WEAK OPPONENT, AND THEN A WEAKER OPPONENT.

HE WILL FACE A STRONG OPPONENT NEXT YEAR IN A MUCH REDDER STATE THAN HE'S EVER SEEN, AND HE'LL BE DEFEATED BECAUSE HE'S SIMPLY BERNIE SANDERS A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES TO THE WEST.

>> TIM RYAN IN 2022 RAN AS BASICALLY A TRUMP DEMOCRAT.

DOES HE TAKE A PAGE FROM THAT BOOK?

>> I THINK IT WAS TIM RYAN TRYING TO TAKE A PAGE FROM HIS BOOK, BUT TIM RYAN STILL LOST AND I THINK HE ONLY GAINED A COUPLE POINTS ON A PREVIOUS PERFORMANCE, SO I'M NOT SURE IF AS RED AS OHIO HAS GOTTEN IF THAT STRATEGY IS GOING TO WORK.

I'D LOVE TO KNOW WHO'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE STRONG CANDIDATE, AND WE'VE GOT TWO IN THE RACE RIGHT NOW AND MORE -- AT LEAST ONE MORE THAT COULD BE.

>> ENVIRONMENTALISTS, THEY WANTED THOSE TARIFFS TO BE DELAYED BECAUSE THEY WANT MORE SOLAR ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOSSIL FUELS, SO HE ANGERS PROGRESSIVES WITH THAT STANCE.

>> YEAH, BUT I JUST DON'T SEE A PROGRESSIVE IN, LIKE, THE STATE OF OHIO VOTING FOR A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

SO, THAT IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, THOUGH, THAT TIM RYAN RAN INTO.

DID HE GO SO FAR TO THE MIDDLE HE LOST THE BASE ON THE LEFT?

IT IS A DELICATE BALANCING ACT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS IN OHIO, TIM RYAN LOST BY SIX.

TRUMP WON BOTH TIMES BY EIGHT.

THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE IS SOMEWHERE IN THE 55% TO 57% RANGE.

I MEAN, BROWN IS GOING TO HAVE TO PULL FROM THAT CENTER, BUT HE'S GOT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THAT.

>> WHICH REPUBLICAN DOES HE NOT WANT TO FACE?

>> I NEED SOME HELP FROM THE OTHER PANELISTS.

BERNIE MARINO I THINK POTENTIALLY COULD BE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATE.

>> FOR BROWN.

>> NO, FOR THE REPUBLICANS, I SHOULD SAY.

THAT HE -- EVEN IF HE GETS THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BESMIRCH HIM TOO MUCH.

HE SEEMS TO BE VERY GOOD IN HIS PUBLIC APPEARANCES.

SEEMS TO HAVE A VERY GOOD CAMPAIGN STYLE.

HE'LL HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, AND HE'S RECENTLY ARTICULATE ABOUT WHAT I HEARD ABOUT THE ISSUE.

>> I LIKE BERNIE, BUT HE'S NEVER WON STATEWIDE.

FRANK LaROSE HAS.

HE'S NOT ONLY WON STATEWIDE, BUT GOT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT LAST TIME AND DID WELL WITH THE MODERATES.

LaROSE HAS A BETTER TRACK HISTORY.

MATT IS A GOOD GUY AS WELL AND HAS MONEY AS DOES BERNIE.

>> THERE'S ALSO POTENTIALLY WARREN DAVIDSON, THE CONGRESSMAN CLOSER TO CINCINNATI.

THAT'S ALSO A WILD CARD.

HE'S A CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE.

HE COULD BE LIKE THE CLUB FOR GROWTH CANDIDATE.

HE COULD COME WITH A LOT OF OUTSIDE MONEY.

MARINO AND DOLAN ARE BOTH SELF-FUNDED AT THIS POINT, AND I WONDER IF THAT'S A CONCERN FOR THE RNC, LOOKING AT WHETHER THEY CAN PUT UP THEIR OWN DOLLARS.

>> KAREN, HOW LONG BEFORE WE FIND OUT IF LaROSE IS IN?

WE PLAYED THE RECORDING THAT POLITICO HAD LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE ABOUT HIM BASICALLY TELLING REPUBLICANS HE WAS IN.

>> IF YOU FOLLOW HIS TWITTER FEED, HE'S TWEETING A LOT ABOUT NATIONAL ISSUES, SO I THINK THE WIDESPREAD EXPECTATION IS THAT HE'S IN, BUT BERNIE MA REKNOW SAID HE THINKS THE TWO THAT ARE IN THE RACE ARE THE TWO THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THE RACE.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TO FRANK LaROSE'S ADVANTAGE TO GET IN THE RACE RIGHT AWAY.

HE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WHOLE THING WE SPENT THE LAST 20 MINUTES TALKING ABOUT, THE 60% APPROVAL THRESHOLD.

>> IT'S ONLY A YEAR AWAY, SO IT'S NOT TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY -- >> FOR DAVIDSON, HE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP A SAFE HOUSE SEAT IN A HOUSE WHERE REPUBLICANS THE MAJORITY AND HIS CLOSE FRIEND JIM JORDAN IS A VERY INFLUENTIAL PERSON.

THAT'S A LOT TO WALK AWAY FROM FOR A FLIER ON ASTATEWIDE CHANCE HE'S NEVER TAKEN BEFORE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GUN VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO PLAGUE COLUMBUS BE THE NATION.

SO FAR COLUMBUS HAS SEEN 60 MURDERS.

12 ARE LIST AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS.

LAST WEEK TWO SHOOTINGS OCCURRED IN THE SHORE NORTH.

IN TEXAS A MAN WITH AN ASSAULT RIFLE KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE, INCLUDING THREE CHILDREN.

OFFICIALS DECRY VIOLENCE, EXPRESS SYMPATHY FOR THE VICTIMS BUT THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES.

REGARDLESS WHERE YOU STAND ON THESE ISSUES, I THINK YOU CAN AGREE WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW AIN'T WORKING.

WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

>> THERE IS NO SOLUTION THAT WILL REMOVE THE 300 MILLION PLUS GUNS THAT EXIST IN AMERICA.

THAT WON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE IT CAN'T UNDER OUR U.S. AND OHIO CONSTITUTION, BUT WHAT WE'RE NOT DOING MUCH OF ANYMORE IS TAKING VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND PUTTING THEM AWAY FOR SO LONG THEY DON'T GET OUT UNTIL THEY HAVE BAD KNEES.

WE LET THEM OUT SOONER.

SOMEONE WHO'S WILLING TO SHOOT SOMEBODY IN A VIOLENT CRIME OUGHT TO BE AWAY FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.

WE'RE JUST NOT SEEING THAT AS MUCH.

THAT'S THE BIG DIFFERENCE OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.

IT'S NOT THE NUMBER OF GUNS.

AMERICANS HAVE ALWAYS HAD GUNS.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS SPIKES IN VIOLENCE AND CALLBACKS ON POLICE AND LESS PROSECUTIONS FOR VIOLENT CRIMES.

>> WE NEED TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT EVERY ONE OF THESE RECENT INCIDENTS AND OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS AND ASK, WAS THIS A VIOLENT CRIMINAL WHO GOT OUT OF JAIL TOO EARLY, OR WAS IT SOMEONE ELSE?

AND I THINK -- MARK, I DON'T THINK IT'S ACCURATE TO SAY HERE, OH, MY GOODNESS, ALL PEOPLE DOING THESE THINGS WERE VIOLENT CRIMINALS.

>> NOT ALL OF THEM.

>> SO WHAT YOU HAVE TO REALLY TALK ABOUT HERE IS DO YOU DO BACKGROUND CHECKS, NOT A THREAT TO GUN OWNERSHIP -- >> THEY ARE.

>> WAIT, WAIT.

DO YOU DO OTHER KINDS OF GUN SAFETY ISSUES?

DO THE VARIOUS AUTHORITIES, WHETHER IT'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT, COUNTY, DO THEY SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT?

IT'S REALLY JUST APPALLING.

TEXAS I THOUGHT IS THE ULTIMATE HERE.

"WELL, NOTHING WE CAN DO".

WHY NOT ARM EVERY TEXAN WITH AN AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

>> WHO SAID NOTHING WE CAN DO?

WHAT POLITICIAN CAME OUT AND SAID, FOLKS, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID, WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

MEANING NOTHING ABOUT LAWS, ABOUT CHANGING -- >> HOW ABOUT ENFORCING THE LAWS WE HAVE?

>> WHAT ABOUT GUN BUYBACK PROGRAMS?

THAT DOES NOT INFRINGE ON YOUR RIGHT TO OWN A GUN.

THE A GOVERNMENT OFFERS A PRIVATE INCENTIVE OR A PRIVATE CORPORATION WOULD OFFER AN INCENTIVE, HOW WOULD BUCKEYE FIREARMS REACT TO THAT?

>> HARD FOR ME TO PREDICT HOW THEY WOULD REACT TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

FEELS INNOCUOUS, BUT I NEVER KNOW HOW THEY WOULD REACT.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS IS TO HAVE FREE SURRENDER, BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF REPS THAT ARE -- A LOT OF MURDER RATE, PARTICULARLY AMONG MINORS WITH GUNS IS 14 TO 18-YEAR-OLDS COMMITTING HOMICIDES WITH GUNS THEY AREN'T ALLOWED TO HAVE, AND THE QUESTION IS HOW DID THEY GET THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE?

THERE'S A QUESTION ABOUT HOW GUNS ARE MOVING ON THE ILLEGAL MARKET THROUGH THEFT, STRAW PURCHASE, ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A WAY TO KIND OF INCENTIVIZE, PERHAPS, PEOPLE TURNING IN A GUN THEY SHOULDN'T OWN WITHOUT A PENALTY MAYBE YOU'D GET SOME THAT WAY.

>> GOVERNOR DeWINE HAD HIS PACKAGE AFTER THE SHOOTINGS.

DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

THE PANDEMIC INTERFERED.

>> MATT DOLAN HAS A SIMILAR PACKAGE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK IT MAY MEET THE SAME FATE.

>> ALSO MORE THAN HALF OF GUN DEATHS ARE SUICIDES, NOT MURDERS.

SO GUNS NEARBY WHEN SOMEONE'S GOING THROUGH A CRISIS, IT'S TRAGIC RESULTS.

TIME FOR "OFF THE RECORD" PARTING SHOTS.

>> I KNOW EVERYONE IS TUNED IN TO HEAR MY POLITICAL PROGNOSTICATIONS BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE A BREAK AND PREDICT THE BLUE JACKETS NEED A COACH.

THAT'S NOT THE PREDICTION.

GERARD GALLANT, FORMER COACH OF THE BLUE JACKETS WHO JUST GOT FIRED BY THE NEW YORK RANGERS, I WILL PREDICT HE'S COMING BACK TO COACH THE BLUE JACKETS.

>> NO LOTTERY NEEDED.

HERB.

>> PEOPLE WHOSE JUDGMENT I TRUST, I THINK WHEN THIS CASE GETS TO THE SUPREME COURT ABOUT OUR ELECTION -- >> AUGUST ELECTION, YEAH.

>> THE KEY JUSTICE WILL BE PAT FISHER.

>> OKAY.

>> I ACTUALLY JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND WISH EVERYONE OUT THERE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY SINCE I'LL BE CELEBRATING, KAREN WILL BE CELEBRATING AND I THOUGHT I'D DO SOMETHING NICE.

>> HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

>> I HAVE A 17-YEAR-OLD SON, SO THAT'S THE ONLY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY I'M GOING TO GET.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER BUSY WEEK IN THE HOUSE, POTENTIALLY THE TRANS ATHLETES BAN ON GIRLS SPORTS.

ALSO ANOTHER HEARING ON THE SWEEPER HIGHER EDUCATION BILL, SENATE BILL 83 THAT HAD A SEVEN AND A HALF HOUR HEARING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

THIS WILL BE LIMBED TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

>> TO ADD TO THE EXCITEMENT IN THE DEAD OF SUMMER, APPARENTLY LARRY HOUSEHOLDER WILL BE SENTENCED JULY 29th, WHICH IS JUST ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE AUGUST ELECTION IF IT HAPPENS ON THE 60% THRESHOLD.

SO CANCEL OUR VACATIONS NOW.

LOTS OF NEWS COMING THIS SUMMER.

THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK, AND YOU CAN WATCH US ANY TIME ON YOUR TIME AS WOSU.ORG OR THROUGH THE APP.

FOR OUR PANEL I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.