>> DEMOCRATS CROSSTHE AISLE--ARE THEY CAVING ORCOMPROMISING?

> >> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THERECORD.

"I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

IN THE SPAN OF ABOUT TWO WEEKS,OHIO DEMOCRATS SAW THEIRLEADERS AT THE STATE HOUSE ANDON CAPITOL HILL, EITHER CAVEORCOMPROMISE.

IT IS ALL A MATTER OFPERSPECTIVE.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ON THE OHIOREDISTRICTING COMMISSION SIGNEDOFF ON AREPUBLICANCONGRESSIONAL MAP THAT COULDGIVE THE GOP A COUPLE MORESEATS THAN THEY HAVE NOW.

OHIO DEMS SAIDIT WAS THE BESTTHEY COULD GET.

THIS WEEK, A HANDFUL OF SENATEDEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON SIGNEDOFF ON A REPUBLICAN BILL TOREOPEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE DEMOCRATS GAVE UP THEIRDEMAND THAT REPUBLICANS EXTENDSUBSIDIES FOR OBAMACARE HEALTHINSURANCE.

THEY JUSTIFIED THEIR SWITCH,SAYING THEY WANTED TO RESTORES.

N. A. P. FOOD BENEFITS AND GET FEDERALEMPLOYEES BACK TO WORK.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE SHUTDOWN--DID THE DEMOCRATS CAVE, ORDID THEY JUST RETREAT TO FIGHTANOTHER DAY?

>> THEY GOT SMART.

THEY HAD PUSHED THE SHUTDOWN ASLONG AS THEY COULD, GOT ITGOING PAST ELECTION DAY --WHICH WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THEIRORIGINAL GOALS --HELPED DEFINETHE ISSUES THIS YEAR ASAFFORDABILITY AND HEALTHCARE,AND THEN THEY LOOKED AND SAID,"LOOK, CAN WE EVER REALLY WINTHIS ISSUE?

ARE WE EVER GOING TO --" NO.

SO, WHAT THEY GOT OUT OF THIS,THEY GOT S. N. A. P. BENEFITS GUARANTEED THROUGHNEXT SEPTEMBER, SO THE NEXTTIME WE HAVE A SHUTDOWN,S.

N. A. P. IS NOT ON THE TABLE.

AND THEY ALSO GOT MOREPROTECTIONS FOR FEDERALWORKERS.

BUT, WHAT THEYREALLY GOT NOWIS THE OPPORTUNITY --WE WILLSEE HOW THEY USE IT --TO PUTREPUBLICAN SENATORS ON RECORD.

THAT IS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LAUGHAND SAY, "WHAT IF THEY DON'TPASS IT?

"THEN, YOU HAVE ANOTHERPOLITICAL ISSUE, WHAT'S THEPOINT?

>> BUT, DEMOCRATS, SPECIFICALLYHOUSE DEMOCRATS FROM OHIO, THEYWERE WORRIED, THEY ARE REALLYUPSET THAT THESE SEVEN SENATEDEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTSCROSSED A LINE.

>> YEAH,OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARENO REAL WINNERS IN A GOVERNMENTSHUTDOWN, AT LEAST FROM THEPEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE.

I MEAN,PEOPLE ARE ON FURLOUGH,NOT GETTING PAID WHEN YOU ARETALKING ABOUT FEDERAL WORKERS,PEOPLE ARE MISSING OUT ONS.

N. A. P. BENEFITS, FOLKS ARE MISSINGFLIGHTS.

I MEAN,THERE WAS STARTING TOBE SOME PAIN AND THE LONGER AGOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN GOES, THEMORE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND AREAFFECTED BY IT.

BUT, IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKETHERE WAS A TON OF HEADWAY MADEON SOME OF THESE DEMOCRATICDEMANDS.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE, MIKE,REPUBLICANS ARE BETTER ATSTICKING TOGETHER THENDEMOCRATS ARE?

>> THEY ARE.

IT USED TO BE REVERSED.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY, ITHINK THE BIGGEST LOSER IN ALLOF THIS IS THE DEMOCRATS INCONGRESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SATTHERE SINCE OCTOBER 16th ANDTHEY DUG THEIR HEELS IN, ANDREFUSED TO AGREE TO A CLEANCIGAR, BUT THEN YOU FAST-FORWARD 24 DAYS LATER AFTER 15VOTES AND THEY SAID, "OKAY, WEWILL VOTE FOR IT. "

>> YOU LOOK AT 2019, PRESIDENTTRUMP FORCED THE SHUTDOWN THENSAYING, "I WILL NOT SIGN THISUNTIL I GET FUNDING FOR MYWALL.

"35 DAYS WENT BY, HE SIGNEDITAND DID NOT GET FUNDING FOR THEWALL, THESE SHUTDOWNS JUSTFIZZLE OUT, RIGHT?

>> THEY SURE DO.

AND THE OTHER LOSER IN THIS ISTHE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WAS OFFTHE AIRPORTS, S. N. A. P. BENEFITS AS YOU SAID, ANDPEOPLE NOT GETTING PAID ANDLOSING THEIR JOBS.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY,BECAUSE WE POLITICIZEEVERYTHING IN LIFE --AND I AMPART OF THE PROBLEM, TOO --BUTI THINK THE BIGGESTLOSERHERETHE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THEY WILLHAVE TO GO TO THEIR VOTERS ANDEXPLAIN IN MIDTERMS, WHICHHISTORICALLY IS GOOD FOR THEM,BUT I DON'T GET WILL BE THISTIME AROUND BECAUSE OF THIS.

>> AND I AM NOT MUCH OF A POLLSPERSON WHEN IT COMES TOELECTIONS, BUT POLLS ARE AREALLY GOOD SNAPSHOT IN TIMEPICTURE AND MOST POLLS SAIDTHAT THE SHUTDOWN BLAME WASTOWARD THE REPUBLICANS.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS ARECALLING IT THE SCHUMER SHUTDOWN--OR, REPUBLICANS ARE CALLINGIT "THE SCHUMER SHUTDOWN," MYAPOLOGIES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE AMERICANPEOPLE ARE BLAMING THE PARTY INPOWER.

>> BUT, AS YOU WILL TALK ABOUT,TOO, WE HAVE A VERY SHORTATTENTION SPAN, AND OTHERSTORIES --PARDON THE PUN --BUT, TRUMP THIS STORY.

>> WELL, THERE WAS A PERIOD INTHE SHUTDOWN IN WHICH THEDEMOCRATSDEMONSTRATEDSOMETHIN G RARE --UNIFORMITY ONMESSAGE.

IT IS ALL ABOUT AFFORDABILITYAND HEALTHCARE.

SO, AFTER THE PROGRESSIVE WINGFINISHES ITS POTSHOTS, YOU KNOW,IF THEY COMPROMISE, OR CAVE, ORWHATEVER, DEMOCRATS WILL GETBACK ON THAT MESSAGE AND THATIS A WINNING MESSAGE FOR THEM.

AND THEY WILL HAVE A NUMBER OFTHINGS THAT ARE COMING UP RIGHTNOW, INCLUDING THE SENATE VOTE,WHERE THEY CAN FOCUS ONHEALTHCARE, AND REMEMBER,HEALTHCARE IS SIMPLY NOT THEAFFORDABLE CARE SUBSIDY ACT,IT'S SUBSIDIES FOR A LOT OFOTHER THINGS THAT WILL HAPPENAFTER THE 2026 ELECTION THATWILL IMPACT PEOPLE.

>> SO, HOW DO REPUBLICANS --THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE,ESPECIALLY SENATE REPUBLICANS,THEY WILL HAVE TO VOTE ON THESESUBSIDIES AND IF THEY VOTEAGAINST EXTENDING THEM,SUBSIDIESFOR HALF 1 MILLIONOHIOANS, 530,000 PEOPLE, WILLGO UP BY VARYING DEGREES.

SO, HOW YOU SAY, I'M TRYING TOKEEP HEALTHCARE AFFORDABLE, BUTI AM GOING TO VOTE AGAINSTTHESE SUBSIDIES AND RAISE YOURRATES?

>> LIKE IT OR NOT, THE VASTMAJORITY OF AMERICANS HAVEPRIVATE INSURANCEAND THEY PAYFOR THEIR EMPLOYER, AND THEYSEE THEIR RATES GO UP EVERYYEAR AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE ONTHE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT --BECAUSE IT IS NOT AFFORDABLE,MIKE --THEY HAVE NO ONE TOBLAME BUT THE DEMOCRATS BECAUSETHE DEMOCRATS DURING COVID,SAID, WE WILL GIVE YOUSUBSIDIES FOR A LIMITED PERIODOF TIME, A LIMITED PERIOD OFTIME UNTIL THE EMERGENCY, THECRISIS, COVID IS OVER, THEN ITEXPIRED.

THE DEMOCRATS WROTE THE BILL,THEY VOTED FOR THE BILL ANDPASSED IT ON THEIR OWN.

>> DIDN'T PRESIDENT TRUMPSIGNED THE TEXT IN HIS FIRSTTERM THAT WAS ALSO TEMPORARY?

>> YES, THEY DID, BUT NOW WEARE TALKING ABOUT A SITUATIONWITH OUR HEALTHCARE THATAPPLIES TO FEWER PEOPLE THANTHE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS, SO IDO NOT THINK YOU WILL SEESYMPATHIES FROM THE VOTERS ONOBAMACARE, AFFORDABLE CARE ACT,BECAUSE THE SUBSIDIES AREDESIGNED TO STOP.

>> WHEN PEOPLE GET SUBSIDIESTHEY, AT SOME POINT, ASSUMEDTHAT THEY WILL CONTINUE, SOTHERE WILL BE A GENUINE SENSEOF LOSS, EVEN IF YOU THINK THEYARE SUPPOSED TO RUN OUT.

SO, I THINK, ACTUALLY,THIS ISA DEMOCRATIC ISSUE THAT THEYWILL GAIN SOME POINTS ON.

MIKE IS RIGHT.

IT IS NOT A HUGE NUMBER OFPEOPLEWHO ARE BENEFITING FROMTHE SUBSIDIES, BUT I THINK ITGIVES THE DEMOCRATS ANOTHERPIECE OF AMMUNITION TO THENSAY, "REPUBLICANS ARE NOTSUPPORTIVE OF HEALTHCARE. "

>> ON THE REDISTRICTING,OHIODEMOCRATS CAVED, COMPROMISED,DEPENDING ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE--SOME PEOPLE SAID THAT THEREPUBLICANS CAVED, TOO --BUT,DO YOU THINK THAT THIS COULDPLAY OUT TO THE DEMOCRATS'ADVANTAGE, PERHAPS IN THE LONGRUN?

>> I THINK WE ALL AGREEIN THELONG-TERM, WHAT HAPPENS IN 2026WILL BE A FUNCTION OF THEQUALITY OF THE CANDIDATES YOURECRUIT AGAINST INCUMBENTS, ANDALSO WHATEVER THE POLITICAL ANDECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IS.

BUT, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WENTINTO THIS REDISTRICTINGTHINKING, "OH, MY GOD, THEDEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO GO FROMA 10-5 MINORITY TO 12-3,"DON'TTHINK SO, I ACTUALLY THINK TWOOF THE INCUMBENTS WHO ARE BEINGTHREATENED, MARCY CAPPER ANDGREG LANSON, HAVE AT LEAST A 50-50 CHANCE OF GETTING RE-ELECTED, AND THERE IS AREPUBLICAN AND PUMPINCUMBENTWHO HAS BEEN PUT IN APRECARIOUS POSITION.

PART OF IT DEPENDS ON WHAT ISTHE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT?

WHAT IS THE POPULARITY OF THEPRESIDENT?

WHAT IS THE STATE OF THEECONOMY?

IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THATNEXT YEAR, AFTER THE 2026ELECTION, IT WILL BE 10-5, 11-4, 9-6, EVEN.

AND 9-6, DEMOCRATS WOULD BEDOING CARTWHEELS.

>> BUT, IT STILL WILL BE HIGHFOR DEMOCRATS TO GET NINESEATS.

>> I MEAN, YOU COULDSAY FIVESEATS, BUT TO KNOCK IT DOWN TOGET SIX SEATS FOR DEMOCRATS?

>> IT WOULD BEA "BLUE WAVE,"ITHINK IS THE WORD WE USED TOUSE, IT WOULD BE A MASSIVETSUNAMI IF WE DID 9-6.

>> BUT, HE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT,SHE WINS THE VOTERS UP THERE,THEY LIKE HER.

WHEN THE REPUBLICANS FIND ITCANDID TO--CANDIDATE TO BESURE, MAYBE THEY WILL, BUTUNTIL SUCH TIME, MARCY HAS BEATTHEM EVERY SINGLE TIME FOR HOWMANY YEARS?

2 1/2 DECADES?

LONGEST SERVING.

SO, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW THEREPUBLICANS DRAW THE MAP, MARCYIS WINNING.

> >> ALL RIGHT, THE DRAMA OVERTHE REOPENING OF THE GOVERNMENTWAS QUICKLY REPLACED BY ANOTHERDRAMA --THE RELEASE OF MOREJEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES.

FIRST, DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESSRELEASED A SELECT FEW EMAILSTHAT JEFFREY EPSTEIN SENT ORRECEIVED, THEY SEEM TOIMPLYTHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP KNEW ABOUTEPSTEIN'S SEX TRAFFICKINGACTIVITIES.

REPUBLICANS QUICKLY RELEASEDMORE EMAILS THAT SEEM TOSUGGESTEPSTEIN HAD AN AXE TOGRIND WITH DONALD TRUMP.

THIS IS MORE THAN JUST FODDERFOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND CABLENEWS.

NEXT WEEK, THE HOUSE WILLACTUALLY VOTEON WHETHER TORELEASE ALL OF THE EPSTEINFILES, SOMETHING HOUSE SPEAKERMIKE JOHNSON HAS TRIED TOAVOID.

THAT MEANS OHIO'S REPUBLICANCONGRESSMEN HAVE A CHOICE --THEY CAN VOTE WITH PRESIDENTTRUMP, IF THEY DON'T RELEASETHE FILES, OR THEY CAN VOTEWITH MANY OF THEIRCONSTITUENTS, WHO WANT ALL OFTHE FILES OUT IN THE OPEN.

MIKE, HOW DOES JIM JORDAN, MIKECAREY, HOW DID THEY VOTE ONTHIS?

DO THEY VOTE WITH THEPRESIDENT, OR DOTHEYVOTE WITHSOME PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN PARTYWHO WANT THESE FILES OUT THERE?

>> I AM NOT A POLITICIAN, BUT IWOULD VOTE YES TO RELEASE THEM,WHY NOT?

RELEASE EVERYTHING.

RELEASE THOSE DOCUMENTS AND IFTHERE ARE CHILD RAPISTS INTHOSE DOCUMENTS,ARREST THATPERSON AND HOLD THEMACCOUNTABLE, AND IF THERE ISNOT, THERE IS NOT.

JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE ON JEFFEPSTEIN'S ISLAND, WHEREVER ITIS, DOESN'T MEAN YOU DIDANYTHING WRONG, MAYBE YOU WERETHERE FOR A FUNDRAISER, MAYBETHEY WERE THERE FOR A BUSINESSMEETING.

YOU CAN EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICANPEOPLE, THE CONSTITUENTS,YOURSPOUSE, FAMILIES, AT THE END OFTHE DAY, LET'S DO THE RIGHTTHING AND RELEASE THE DOCUMENTSAND GET THIS OVER WITH, BECAUSEWE HAVE BIGGER MATTERS TO DEALWITH IN THIS COUNTRY BUTNOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THANPROTECTING OUR KIDS, NUMBERONE.

NUMBER TWO, JEFFREY EPSTEINCOMMITTED SUICIDE ON AUGUST19th, 2019.

WHY, DURING THE FOUR YEARS OFTHE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION,WASN'T THIS INFORMATIONRELEASED?

I KNOW WHY, BECAUSE THIS ISPRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THISIS WHY WE ARE DOING IT, BUTFOUR YEARS OF JOE BIDEN BEINGPRESIDENT, THESE DOCUMENTSCOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED, WHYDIDN'T THEY?

>> WELL, THE DEMOCRATS, TOO.

FORMER TREASURY SECRETARY WITHOBAMA -- >> HOW ABOUT PRINCE ANDREW?

WHO WAS JUST DETHRONED.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLEAREPOINTING TO THAT EXAMPLE ASSAYING, "BRITAIN GOT IT RIGHT.

"IN THE UNITED STATES, WEHAVEN'T YET IDENTIFIED WHO THEPERPETRATORS ARE.

AND KEEP IN MIND HERE, THERE ISSOMETHING --LET'S ASSUMEDONALD TRUMP HAD NOTHING, NOINVOLVEMENT WITH ANY YOUNG,UNDERAGE GIRLS.

BUT, I AM EXPECTING THAT THESEEMAILS AND OTHER THINGS WILL BEDEMONSTRATING HE KNEW ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, LOOK, HE PUBLICLY HASSAID --ANDUSED TO LAUGH ABOUTIT --"JEFFREY LIKES THEMYOUNG.

"I DON'T KNOW FULLY WHAT THATMEANS,SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEPRESIDENT HAS AT RISK.

I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHERPEOPLE WHO HAVE MUCH MORE ATRISK, DEMOCRATS ANDREPUBLICANS.

BUT, IT'S NOT GOING TO LOOKGOOD FOR THE PRESIDENT, IF ITLOOKS LIKE HE COULD HAVE BEEN AWHISTLEBLOWER, AND HE DECIDEDNOT TO BE.

>> THERE IS PARALYSIS HERE,AMONG BOTH PARTIES.

BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A PARTISANISSUE, IT IS AN ISSUE OF POWERAND PEOPLE IN POWER, ABUSINGTHAT POWER.

AND, YOU KNOW, TO MIKE'S POINT,OF COURSE, IT COULD HAVE BEENRELEASED UNDER BIDEN, BUT TRUMPCAMPAIGNED ON THIS,IN PART, INRELEASING THESE FILES.

THERE WERE INSTANCES WHERESOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS WHOHAVE CHAMPIONED TRUMPS HEAVYBINDERS THAT SAID, "PHASE ONEOF THE EPSTEIN FILES," ANDTHOSE PICTURES WEREFLOODED ALLOVER, AND THEN, WE SUDDENLYHAVE COLD FEET WHEN IT IS TIMETO RELEASE THESE FILES.

SO, IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THATHAS PARALYZED BOTH SIDES.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE CERTAINLYFOUNDAN ISSUE TO HIT TRUMP ONRIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE AREPEOPLE IN HIS PARTY WHO AREHITTING HIM ON IT.

>> AND JUST LATE THIS WEEK,MIKE, PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCEDPAM BONDI IS STARTING ANINVESTIGATION INTO EPSTEIN'STIES TO DEMOCRATS BUT DOES NOTINCLUDE REPUBLICANS.

BYTRUMP ASKING HIS ATTORNEYGENERAL TO LOOK AT ONE PARTY,DOES IT NOT HURT HIS CASE ISBEING FULLY TRANSPARENT, HERE?

>> I THINK THERE IS VALIDITY INYOUR POINT, THERE.

AND I AGREE A LOT WITH WHATSARAH JUST SAID.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, AUNIFYING PUBLIC, DEMOCRATS,REPUBLICANS, WANT TO PROTECTOUR CHILDREN.

IF THERE WERE BADPEOPLE DOINGTHINGS TO CHILDREN, MINORS,WHATEVER THEIR AGES WERE, WENEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALLHELD ACCOUNTABLE, REGARDLESS IFYOU ARE THE CEO OR STREETSWEEPER, YOU NEED TO BE HELDACCOUNTABLE.

BOTTOM LINE, RELEASE IT, THENWE COULD MOVE ON.

>> OHIOANS CARE ABOUT THIS.

84% IN THE BOWLING GREEN POLLFROM LAST MONTH, 84%,AREFAMILIAR WITH THIS CASE, WHICHIS A HIGH NUMBER, FOR A RANDOMSAMPLE OF PEOPLE.

88% THINK IT IS A COVER-UP,TOTAL.

95% OF DEMOCRATS --SAY IT IS ACOVER-UP.

BUT, 84% OF REPUBLICANS SAY ITIS A COVER-UP.

TO SARAH'S POINT, THIS IS AUNIFYING TOPIC.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL.

AND THE QUESTION BECOMES, YOUKNOW, HOW SALIENT CAN IT REMAINOVER THE YEAR?

HOW CAN IT MOTIVATE PEOPLE'SNOTES?

BUT, THE THING IS, IF YOU DON'TRELEASE THE THING NOW, THEN THEISSUE CONTINUES AND CONTINUESTO BUILD.

IT WOULD BE SMART POLITICS --AS WELL AS GOOD POLICY --TORELEASE ALL THE DOCUMENTS, NOW.

LET'S --YOU KNOW, TRUMPSHOULDBE LOOKING AT THIS, "LET'SOVERWHELM THE MEDIA WITH ALLTHE DOCUMENTS AND LET THEM FINDOUT, SOME OF MY FRIENDS WERE ONBAD BEHAVIOR, SOME DEMOCRATSWERE ON BAD BEHAVIOR, A PAUSEON EVERYBODY.

"AS LONG AS THERE IS NOTHING INTHERE THAT SUGGEST THAT TRUMP,YOU KNOW, ENGAGED IN ANY BADBEHAVIOR WITH UNDERAGE WOMEN.

>> THIS WEEK, 20,000 EMAILSCAME OUT AFTER THE DEMOCRATSRELEASED, WHAT, FOUR?

20,000 PAGES OF EMAILS, PEOPLEARE STILL GOING THROUGH THOSE.

SO, WE DON'T KNOW REALLY WHATIS IN THERE.

> >> ALL RIGHT, WITH THIS YEAR'SELECTION BEHIND US, WE CAN ALLTURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE 2026RACES FOR CONGRESS, U. S. SENATE, GOVERNOR, AND OTHEROFFICES.

CANDIDATES OFFICIALLY DECLAREDTHEIR INTENTION IN LESS THANTHREE MONTHS, THAT MEANS TIMRYAN HAS 11 WEEKS TO DECIDE IFHE WANTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

THE DECLARED CANDIDATES FORGOVERNOR CONTINUE THEIRCAMPAIGNS, DEMOCRAT AMY ACTONIS COLLECTING ENDORSEMENTS,REPUBLICAN VIVEK RAMASWAMY ISTRYING TO GET NEW YORK POLICEOFFICERS TO MOVE TO OHIO.

HE IS TROLLINGNEW YORK CITY'SMAYOR ELECT, ZOHRAN MAMDANI,WHO ONCE CALLED FOR DEFUNDINGTHE POLICE.

LOTS OF POLICE OFFICERS IN NEWYORK ARE RESIGNING AND RAMASWAMYWANTS THEM TO MOVE HERE, SARAHDONELSON, WE DON'TKNOW IF THATIS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT ISTHERE ANY WORD ON TIM RYAN?

>> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] I MEAN, SHORT ANDSWEET, YOU KNOW, REPORTERS WHOARE SMARTER THAN I WHO FOLLOWTHE POLITICS SIDE MORE CLOSELYHAVE POINTED OUT THAT HE ISPUTTING THINGS IN PLACE THAT ITLOOKS LIKE HE MIGHT BE RUNNING.

BUT, THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE FORMONTHS.

IT HAS BEEN THIS "WILL HE,WON'T HE" SITUATION, THAT WILL,TO A POINT, HANDICAPAMY ACTON,WHEN YOU HAVE, ON THEREPUBLICAN SIDE, AS I AM SUREMIKE IS ABOUT TO POINT OUT,REPUBLICANS HAVE COALESCED,STATE REPUBLICANS HAVECOALESCED AROUND VIVEKRAMASWAMY AND THEY HAVE BEENCOALESCED AROUND HIM SINCEAPRIL.

>> SO,PUTTING TIM RYAN ASIDEUNTIL HE DECLARES.

"AFFORDABILITY," THAT IS THEWORD OF THIS CAMPAIGN AND WEARE SEEINGJON HUSTEDCRITICIZING SHERROD BROWN FORRAISING PRICES, WE ARE SEEINGJON HUSTED RESPONDING TO IT,AND BIDEN BLAMED FOR INFLATION,AND IS THIS REALLY GOING TO BETHE ISSUE IN THIS CAMPAIGN?

>> YEAH, THAT, AND HEALTHCARE,AND HEALTHCARE GETS WRAPPED UPINTO AFFORDABILITY, ALSO.

KEEP IN MIND, SOMETIME,THEPRESIDENT'S FLIPPANT COMMENTSCOME BACK TO HAUNT HIM, SO WHATDID HE SAY ABOUT DAY ONE,INFLATION?

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO NOW IS GOSHOPPING FOR FOOD AND LOOK ATTHE PRICE OF COFFEE, MILK,BREAD, BEEF,AND ALL OF ASUDDEN, IT DOES --AND THEPRESIDENT IS STILL SAYING,"INFLATION IS DOWN.

"THERE IS A CERTAIN --HE ISSORT OF OUT OF TOUCH IN TERMSOF WHERE PEOPLE ARE ON THIS.

>> BUT, BIDEN WAS SAYING --HEWAS LEADING UP TO HIS EVENTUALNON-RE-ELECTION, BUT HE WASSAYING, "INFLATION IS NOT ASBIG A PROBLEM AS PEOPLE MAKE ITOUT TO BE.

"DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR HIM.

>> BUT, THE SITTING PRESIDENTSAYING THINGS ARE FINE -- >> YOU DON'T SAY THAT, IF IT'SNOT FINE.

NOW, THE LATEST THING IF YOUREAD THE NEWS THE LAST COUPLEOF DAYS, TWO THINGS TRUMP ISTALKING ABOUT, ONE, WE MIGHT,IN FACT, REDUCED TARIFFSONFOOD IMPORT AND THAT WILL HELPLOWER PRICES.

YOU THINK ABOUT THE LOGIC OFTHAT, WELL TARIFFS AREINCREASING PRICES, BUT I AMGOING TO LOWER TARIFFS SO WECAN REDUCE PRICES?

THAT DOESN'T FLY.

AND THEN, TALKING ABOUT THIS$2000 --MORE RELATED TOHEALTHCARE --THIS $2000 GRANT.

I WAS CALLING THAT, THAT WASTHE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BRIDEBILL, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DOTHAT.

>> THE $2000 BASIC --BASICALLY, REFUND BECAUSE OFTHE TARIFFS.

CAN REPUBLICANS WIN ONAFFORDABILITY?

BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS THE PARTYOF POWER,REGARDLESS OF WHYTHINGS RISE, WHY PRICES RISE,WHY THINGS GO UP AND DOWN, ITIS ALWAYS THE PARTY IN POWERTHAT GETS THE BLAME.

CAN REPUBLICANS HANDLE THISISSUE?

>> I THINK THAT REALLY ISDIFFERENT FROM STATEWIDE.

I THINK HE DOESHAVE RUNWAY TOTALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AS AREPUBLICAN, BECAUSE HE IS NOTIN OFFICE,HIS FIRST TIMERUNNING FOR OFFICE.

SOME PRICES ARE DOWN, EGGSDEFINITELY HAVE COME DOWN, IWAS AT GIANT EAGLE YESTERDAYAND BOUGHT A COUPLE DOZEN, THEYWERE CHEAPER.

GAS IS DOWN.

THOSE ARE THE TWO PEOPLE LOOKAT, ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE BEEF ISUP, PRICES ARE HIGH AND GOINGHIGHER, BUT SOME OF THE BIGONES ARE COMING DOWN AND I THINKVIVEK FOCUSING ON THAT ISIMPORTANT TO THE VOTERS BECAUSEHE CAN SEPARATE HIMSELF FROMD.

C. , "THE SWAMP," WHAT HAVEYOU, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALLIT, AND FOCUS ON OHIO, WHAT WECAN DO AS A STATE TO MAKE ITCHEAPER TO LIVE IN OHIO.

>> BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN, WHENWE STOPPED RELEASING STATS,INFLATION WAS AT 3%, THAT WASTHE LAST REPORT FROM THEGOVERNMENT ON INFLATION.

YOU KNOW, CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

THE SOCIALIST MESSAGE THATRAMASWAMY IS SORT OFTRYING TOTIE ALL HIGH REPUBLICANS TO, HEWILL TRY TO DO THAT, ANDREPUBLICANS WILL DO THAT, ASWELL.

>> OHIO DEMOCRATS?

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK THE QUESTION THAT BOTHCANDIDATES IN OHIO WILL HAVE TOANSWER WHEN IT COMES TO FOLKSFEELING LIKE THINGS AREAFFORDABLE, OR PROPERTY TAXES.

AND THAT IS GOING TO INTRODUCEANOTHER ISSUE TO TALK ABOUT.

>> IT'S THE AFFORDABILITYISSUE.

>> BUT, PROPERTYTAXES ARESOMETHING THAT ARE HANDLED ATNOT JUST THE LOCAL LEVEL, THESTATE GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE SOMERESPONSIBILITY THERE, BUT LIKE,THE LEGISLATURE IS DOING SOMETHINGS, BUT I THINK THAT THATIS STILL GOING TO BE A BIGQUESTION, COME 2026.

>> YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT, INTHE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS,THERE AREJUST A NUMBER OFTHINGS THAT DON'T FIT INTO THEIMAGE OF BEING CONCERNED ABOUTAFFORDABILITY.

SO, IT'S WONDERFUL, WE WILLHAVE A NEW BALLROOM, AND ITWILL COST $300 MILLIONCONTRIBUTED BY PATRIOTICINDUSTRIALISTS.

[ LAUGHTER ] OR, YOU KNOW,WHATEVER.

AND BRAGGING ABOUT ALL OF THEGOALS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, ANDITIS VERY, VERY PRETTY, IF YOULIKE THAT SORT OF THING AND IAM THINKING, "THIS GUY IS SORTOF TRYING TO BUILD RESIDE.

"BUT, IT'S HAPPENING NOWAT ATIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE CONCERNEDABOUT AFFORDABILITY, SO THEREIS A DISCONNECT THERE, AND YOUTHINK ABOUT, WILL HE EVER SAYSOMETHING EQUIVALENT TO WHATMARIE ANTOINETTE SAID ABOUT -- [ LAUGHTER ] AND HEHAS BEEN SOUNDISCIPLINED OF LATE AND ITHINK NOW, THE PEOPLE AROUNDHIM ARE REALLY PUSHING HARD TOGET THE FOCUS BACK AND I THINKMIKE MADE A VERY IMPORTANTPOINT, HE SAID, RAMASWAMYSHOULD ACTUALLY SORT OF TRY TODISTANCE HIMSELF.

NOW, HOW OFTEN HAVE WE HEARDPEOPLE IN THE LAST YEARSAY,"DISTANCE YOURSELF FROMWASHINGTON," OR, "FROM TRUMP.

"AND I THINK THAT MIGHT BE AVERY GOODSTRATEGY FROM ANUMBER OF PEOPLE.

>> WILL THAT HAPPEN?

BECAUSE TRUMP IS A LAME-DUCK,HE WILL NOT RUN AGAIN, HE WILLNOT BE ON THE BALLOT AGAIN.

WHEN YOU SEE REPUBLICANS MAYBENOT CRITICIZE HIM, BUT NOTFULLY EMBRACE HIM?

>> TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T THINKREPUBLICANS SHOULD DISTANCETHEMSELVES FROM PRESIDENTTRUMP, I THINK THEY SHOULDDISTANCE THEMSELVES FROMWASHINGTON.

I THINK NOBODY LIKESWASHINGTON.

OHIOANS LOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP,HE WON BY 11, 12 POINTS EVERYTIME, SO MY THOUGHT FOR VIVEKIS TO DISTANCE YOURSELF FROMWASHINGTON AND THE POLICIESCOMING OUT OF CONGRESS.

BUT, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS STILLA KINGMAKER IN THE STATE OFOHIO.

> >> OUR LAST TOPIC,THINGS WESHOULD AVOID, AT LEAST AVOID TOEXCESS --A INTOXICATING HEMPAND SPORTS BETTING.

IT SEEMS LIKE SPORTS BETTINGCOMPANIES AND SPORTS LEAGUESARE LOOKING TO REDUCE PROP BETS--THAT COMES AFTER A COUPLESCANDALS INVOLVING ATHLETESACCUSED OF TWEAKING THEIR STATSTO HELP GAMBLERS IN THE KNOW.

AS FOR HEMP, OHIO LAWMAKERSCONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS ONREGULATIONS ON THE SALES OFHEMP DRINKS AND GUMMIES.

BUT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HASTAKEN ACTION.

CONGRESS STUCK AN ATTACHMENTONTO THIS WEEK'S FUNDING BILLTHAT BANS ALL INTOXICATING HEMPPRODUCTS, NATIONWIDE.

SARAH DONALDSON?

SO,GOVERNOR DeWINE,LEGISLATURE, OUR WORK HERE ISDONE, WE DON'T HAVE TO DOANYTHING, RIGHT?

>> WELL, THE BANONINTOXICATING HEMP OR SO-CALLED"INTOXICATING HEMP" DOESN'T GOINTO EFFECT FOR A YEAR AND ITHINK THERE ISANINTERESTINGQUESTION HERE BECAUSE THELAWMAKERS I HAVE TALKED TO ATTHE STATE LEVEL, THE KIND OFSEE IN THREE BUCKETS, THEY SEEKLEGAL MARIJUANA AND CANNABIS,THEY SEE INTOXICATING HEMP, ANDTHEY SEECBD AND THC DRINKSBEING SOLD AT BARS, TO FOLKSWHO ARE PROBABLY 21 AND OVER.

SO, I THINK THERE AREUNRESOLVED ISSUES THAT STATELAWMAKERS WANT TO FIGURE OUTAND YOU SEE AN IMMEDIATEBLOWBACK FROM THE HEMP INDUSTRY,SAYING TO THE FEDERALGOVERNMENT, "YOU GUYS LET USSTART SELLING THIS STUFF IN2018, NOW YOU ARE SHOOTING USIN THE FOOT. "

>> PUTTING ASIDE THEDANGEROUSTO KIDS FOR A MOMENT, THIS IS ABIG INDUSTRY, RIGHT?

>> IT IS BECOMING ONE.

IN 2018, THE ROBES, T-SHIRTS,PANTS --THEY KNEW WHAT THEYWERE GOING TO DO, THEIR SCIENCEWAS GOING TO CATCH UP AND THEYWERE GOING TO BE ABLE TOEXTRACT THE THC.

THEFEDERAL BAN AS SARAHMENTIONED IS 0.

4 MILLIGRAMS ORHIGHER, SO ANYTHING BELOW 0.

4MILLIGRAMS IS STILL THREE-GAMEAS SARAH MENTIONED, BUT AT THEEND OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO HAVERULES AND REGULATIONS.

THE VOTERS, WHEN THEY VOTEDLAST YEAR, THEY DIDN'T VOTE TOHAVE THE DRINKS IN THE BARS ANDSTUFF, SO THE LEGISLATURE HASTO --THE HOUSE PASSED AVERSION, THE SENATE NEEDS TOCONCUR AND JUST GET SOMETHINGON THE BOOKS.

>>DO WE KNOW HOW MANY GUMMIESWOULD FOLLOW UNDER THE 0.

4MILLIGRAMS THRESHOLD?

>> IT IS SO COMPLICATED BECAUSEESSENTIALLY WHAT THE FEDERALGOVERNMENT DID IN 2018, THEYBASICALLY REMOVED ANYTHING THATHAD ANY THC INGREDIENT THAT WASNOT DELTA NINE, SEE YOU ARETALKING DELTA-8, DELTA 10, THCA.

SO, IT IS MORE ENCOMPASSINGNOW, BUT I THINK THE LAWMAKERSARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUTWHAT REGULATORY STRUCTURE THEYCAN DO WITH WHAT THE FEDERALGOVERNMENT HAS JUST RELEASED.

>> WHY IS THIS SO HARD, HERB?

VOTERS IN OHIO, AROUND THECOUNTRY, HAVE SAID, "LEGALMARIJUANA IS OKAY FOR FOLKSOVER 21,"SO THIS LIMIT TO HEMPPRODUCTS, BASICALLY WEEKMARIJUANA, "WEED LIGHT" AS THEYCALL IT,WHY IS IT SO HARD TOGET THAT?

>> BECAUSE THERE ARE SOMEINDUSTRIES THAT MAKE A PROFITOUT OF THIS, AND THEN YOU GETINTO THE ISSUES ABOUT WHERE ITIS SOLD, ANDHOW CAREFUL AREYOU, IN TERMS OF WHO YOU SELLIT TO, SO YOU GET THESE PEOPLETALKING ABOUT, MY GOODNESS,THEY ARE TAKING AWAY MYLIVELIHOOD, MY FREEDOM, AND ALLOF THAT, SO IT SHOULD BEEASIER, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OFECONOMIC PRESSURES AT WORK,HERE.

ON THE BETTING SIDE --I AMJUST AMAZED AT HOW EASY IT ISTO BET, THESE DAYS.

THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY HERE,DON'T YOU DARE TOUCHBRACKETOLOGY AND MARCH MADNESS.

>> I THINK THAT MIGHT STILL BEILLEGAL, HERB.

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> GETTING TO THE PROP BETS, IMEAN, SO, YOU CAN'T BETS ON WHATTHE SPEED OF THE PITCH IS THATIS NEXT OR HOW MANY WALKS THEPITCHER DOES, YOU STILL DO THEOVER/UNDER AND PLAYERS CANINFLUENCE THAT, PEOPLE CANTHROW GAMES, REFEREESCANTHROW GAMES.

WHERE IS THE LINE?

>> WE HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT,MIKE.

I LOGGED INTO ESPN THIS MORNINGAND NOW WE ARE STARTING TO GETNUMB TO THE ARTICLES, ANOTHERINVESTIGATION COMING OUT WITHCOLLEGE ATHLETES NOW, 14, 15PEOPLE WERE JUST ARRESTED WITHTHE MAFIA.

SO, THIS IS REAL, THIS ISLEGIT, WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT,YOU CAN DO THIS, BUT NOT THAT?

IT'S A MESS.

I'M NOT SURE ANY SANE PERSONCOULD SAY, THESE ARE OKAY OVERTHERE, BUT NOT OVER THERE,BECAUSE IT CAN ALWAYS BEMANIPULATED AND IF YOU DO BANIT, THEY WILL JUST GO OVERSEAS.

> >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET OURFINAL "OFF THE RECORD" PARTINGSHOTS.

MIKE, YOU ARE FIRST.

>> LAST WEEK, ALL BUSINESSES,SMALL, MEDIUM, AND LARGE,RECEIVED A LETTER FROM OHIOSAYING, WE WILL CHARGE YOU ATECHNOLOGY FEE NOW ON TOP OFALL OF THE OTHER FEES ANDREGULATIONS AND ALL THE REDTAPE WE DO.

MY POINT HERE IS THAT ITIS SOHARD, AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNERMYSELF, TO OPERATE IN THE STATEOF OHIO, NOW WE ARE PAYING FEESON TOP OF OUR TAXES AND I THINKWE NEED TO TAKE A SECOND LOOKAT THIS.

>> HERB?

>> NEXT YEAR, DEMOCRATS GAIN,WIN CONTROL OF THE U. S. HOUSE,AND THIS YEAR --WELL, REALLY,NEXT YEAR --THE BUCKEYESREPEAT AS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WRITE IT DOWN.

SARAH?

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THENATIONAL CHAMPION BUCKEYES,LOVE TO SEE WILL HOWARDBEINGUPGRADED TO ACTIVE ON THESTEELERS' ROSTER.

I AM REALLY --YOU KNOW,ONCEAARON RODGERS IS DONE WITH THESTEELERS, I'M LOOKING FORWARDTO SEE IF WILL HOWARD TO BE OURFRANCHISE QB.

>> OH, STEELERS, RIGHT?

BROWNS FAN.

> >> NEXT WEEK, SPECIALPROGRAMMING BUMPS OUR FRIDAYAARON, WE ARE GETTING BUMPED BYSOME GUY NAMED KEN BURNS.

HIS NEW PBS SERIES "THEAMERICAN REVOLUTION" BEGINS SOTHE NIGHT HERE ONWOSU AT 8:00,AND RUN FOR NEXT FRIDAY,PLEASE TAKE IT OUT,IT WILL BEEXCELLENT AND NO DOUBT,CONTROVERSIAL.

ANYWAY, THAT IS IT.

ALL THE MORE REASON, THOUGH,TOWATCH US ON OUR ALTERNATIVEPLATFORMS.

YOU CAN WATCH AS ANYWHERE, ATYOUR TIME, ON YOUR TIME, ON THEPBS APP, ON OUR WEBSITE,WOSU.

ORG, AND ON THE BRAND-NEWWOSU NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE, NOW.

GO TO YOUTUBE, SEARCH FOR WOSUNEWS.

FOR OUR CREW AND OUR PANEL, IAM MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.