> >> JD VANCE, THE PEACEMAKER.

>> WELCOME TO COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD.

I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

THE IRAN WAR HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT BALANCE FOR OHIO'S JD VANCE.

FOR YEARS THE COMMENTER TURNED U.S.

SENATOR, NOW VICE PRESIDENT HAS RAILED AGAINST FOREIGN AND FOREVER WARS.

BUT AS VICE PRESIDENT, HE HAS HAD TO DEFEND DONALD TRUMP'S NUMEROUS FOREIGN MILITARY ACTIONS INCLUDING THE WAR IN IRAN.

THIS WEEK, THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS VANCE WAS A LONE VOICE OF SKEPTICISM IN WHITE HOUSE MEETINGS LEADING UP TO THE ATTACK ON IRAN IN FEBRUARY.

NOW HE PLAYS THE ROLE OF PEACEMAKER IN PAKISTAN PARTICIPATING IN NEGOTIATIONS TO MAKE THE TWO WEEK CEASE FIRE PERMANENT.

IT PROVIDES THEM WITH A CHANCE TO DECLARE A VICTORY AND AVOID A LONG WAR.

MARK WEAVER, PUTTING ASIDE THE FACT THAT ENDING A WAR AND HAVING PEACE IS A GOOD THING, THIS IS A TOUGH SITUATION FOR JD VANCE.

IT PROVIDES HIM WITH A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS WAR GO AWAY PERMANENT BY BUT IT IS ALSO PERILOUS.

>> SOME OF THE PRESIDENT'S FURTHEST LEFT CRITICS LIKE TO CALL HIM A KING.

THEY HAVE THESE LITTLE RALLIES CALLED NO KING RALLIES.

A KING WOULDN'T TAKE A SKEPTIC FROM HIS COURT AND SEND HIM OVER AS HIS PERSON TO GO TALK TO THE ENEMY DURING THE WAR, SO DONALD TRUMP REALLY WAS WELCOME DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

THE REPORTING WE HAVE ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE SHOWS THAT RUBIO AND VANCE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THESE THINGS.

GEORGE WASHINGTON FAMOUSLY HAD INTERPLAY WITH ALEXANDER HAMILTON AND THOMAS JEFFERSON IN HIS CABINET MADE FAMOUS IN A BROADWAY PLAY.

SO HAVING TWO DIFFERENT VOICES AND LISTENING TO BOTH OF THEM COULD BE A GOOD THING.

>> BUT IT COULD BE PERILOUS.

PUBLICLY, DISAGREEING WITH TRUMP?

>> HE SPEAKS HIS MIND.

WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT DONALD TRUMP, HE SAYS THINGS THAT ARE JUST KIND OF RUDE PUBLICLY.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS PROBABLY TALKED TO MORE POLITICIANS THAN ANYBODY HERE, LET ME TELL YOU THEY ALL SPEAK THAT WAY PRIVATELY.

SO WHAT'S DIFFERENT IS HE IS JUST UNWILLING TO PUT THE MASK ON AND SAY I WILL BE NICE AND PUBLIC AND RUDE IN PRIVATE.

>> IT'S A MATTER OF FACT, IT HAS BECOME HIS PERSONA TO DO THAT SORT OF A THING.

SO I THINK I AGREE WITH YOU 100%, IT IS A TOTALLY NEW THING TO HEAR SOMEONE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING US ACTING IN PUBLIC LIKE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ACTING IN PRIVATE.

NOW, ANOTHER THING I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE IS THAT THE REASON FOR VANCE AND RUBIO DISAGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT WERE ACTUALLY DIFFERENT.

I THINK VANCE DIDN'T WANT THE RISK AND WE ARE SEEING THE OUTCOME TO THE RISK NOW.

AND THEN THAT RUBIO SAID LOOK, IF YOU HAVE A LIMITED GOAL IN LAUNCHING MILITARY STRIKES BUT AS FAR AS REGIME CHANGE, AIN'T GOING TO WORK.

AND I THINK WE ARE SEEING THAT.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

BUT I WOULD HEDGE MY BET THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK.

>> YOU ALWAYS WONDER HOW THESE STORIES COME ABOUT.

WHO IS THE SOURCE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES STORY SAYING VANCE WAS SAYING ONE THINS, RUBIO WAS SAYING ANOTHER.

THESE ARE THE TWO LEADING CONTENDER TO SUCCEED DONALD TRUMP AND THEY ARE TRYING TO MANAGE THE COVERAGE DURING THIS CRISIS TO HELP BENEFIT THEM DOWN THE ROAD.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE GOING INTO THE POLITICAL SEASON.

THE MIDTERMS.

IT COULD REALLY CHANGE THINGS.

YOU HAVE WAR THAT IS UNPOPULAR AND GAS PRICES THAT ARE INCREASING AND AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS ON MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.

THIS COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NOVEMBER AND I THINK THAT ALL OF THE POLITICIANS ON ALL SIDES OF THE AISLE ARING LOOING AT THIS AND SAYING WHOA.

YOU KNOW.

WHAT GIVES?

>> TO YOUR POINT, MARK, YOU MAINTAIN THAT DONALD TRUMP TRUSTS JD VANCE TO LEAD NEGOTIATIONS THERE.

IF HE COMES BACK WITHOUT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ BEING OPEN, CAN DONALD TRUMP BLAME JD VANCE OR MIGHT THAT HURT HIM DOWN THE ROAD?

>> HE HAS BEEN VERY COMPLIMENTARY TO MARCO RUBIO AND JD VANCE, BOTH OF WHOM WERE CRITICS.

HE IS WILLING TO HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT REGIME CHANGE.

WE ARE NOT QUITE SURE WHO IS REGIME IS IN IRAN.

ONE THING WE CAN AGREE ON IS THEIR ABILITY TO WAGE WAR AND TERRORISM WORLDWIDE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY HAMPERED.

AND HAD THERE BEEN A MAJOR TERRORIST ATTACK IN AMERICA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, A LOT OF TALK ON SHOWS LIKE THIS WOULD BE WHY DIDN'T WE DO SOMETHING TO STOP THIS BEFORE THE TERRORIST ATTACK HAPPENED?

>> THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

ONCE AGAIN I AGREE WITH MARK.

THE ONLY THING IS THE MILITARY EXCURSION WAS LAUNCHED ON SPECULATION.

UNDER SPECULATION.

THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN WHETHER IT BE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ISRAEL.

THEY HAVE BEEN MORTAL ENEMIES OF IRAN THE PAST 45 YEARS.

>> I MEAN, INFLATION ON FRIDAY ROSE TO 3-POINT #%.

YOU MENTIONED GAS PRICES, JO.

AROUND $4 A GALLON.

THE WAR IS, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WARS AND HOW LONG THEY COULD LAST, WE ARE BARELY INTO THIS ONE.

WE ARE SIX OR EIGHT WEEKS INTO THIS ONE.

>> AND WHAT IS BEING SAID DOESN'T NECESSARILY MATCH WHAT THE REALITY IS.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, UNDER CONTROL, TWO WEEKS.

YOU KNOW.

WE WILL BE OUT OF THERE.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A LONG TERM COMMITMENT.

BUT WE HEARD THAT BEFORE FROM OTHER PRESIDENTS BEFORE.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP, THEY WERE SAYING BACK THEN THAT ONE OF THE REASONS THEY VOTED FOR HIM WAS THEY WANTED AMERICA FIRST.

THEY WANTED OUT OF FOREVER WARS.

AND NOW THIS HAS COME ALONG.

AND IT MIGHT PLAY, IT MIGHT REALLY HURT HIM.

>> PERCENTAGE WISE, HE STILL HAS HIS HARD CORE BASE OF 22 TO 33%.

WHATEVER IT IS THAT HE DOES, THEY ARE FINE WITH IT.

I THINK IT WILL TAKE A LONG, LONG TIME.

MUSOLINI LIKE, FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO HAPPEN.

>> OHIO PRIMARY VOTING IS UNDERWAY WITH NEITHER MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR FACING A SERIOUS INTRAPARTY ACTION.

IN A NEW TV LIED, THE REPUBLICAN RAMASWAMY PROMISED TO ROLL THEM BACK.

AMY ACTON CALLS FOR TAX CREDITS FOR CHILDREN AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

MEDICAL DEBT FORGIVENESS AND RESTORING ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS.

ACTON DOES NOT PROVIDE DETAILS ON HOW SHE WOULD PAY FOR ELEMENTS OF HER PROGRAM.

JOE INGLES, WE ARE WAITING FOR THESE CANDIDATES TO ENGAGE.

AND IT IS HAPPENING.

>> SORT OF IT.

IS HAPPENING.

THEY ARE THROWING OUT SOME IDEAS OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

BUT WE STILL HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS.

AND THE THING IS THAT YOU KNOW, WITH RAMASWAMY, YOU TAKE THE TAXES OFF THE TABLE, WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME TO MAKE THINGS WHOLE?

YOU HAVE A LOT OF ENTITIES, SCHOOLS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT ARE REALLY SITTING THERE WATCHING THAT.

YOU'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, ORDINARY PEOPLE SITTING THERE SAYING HOW IS THAT POLICY GOING TO HELP ME?

THEN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AMY ACTON'S POLICIES, THERE'S A LOT OF POLICIES THERE THAT COULD COST A LOT OF MONEY.

WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT PRICE POINT AT THIS POINT BUT IT COULD COST A LOT OF MONEY AND THE QUESTION IS WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM?

WE DON'T KNOW HOW YOU COULD DO THAT AND OHIO HAS TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

>> MAKING PROMISES WITHOUT DETAILING HOW YOU PAY FOR THEM.

THAT IS VERY UNIQUE.

GETTING TO THE PROPERTY TAX PROPOSAL BY VIVEK RAMASWAMY.

WHEN HE MEANS BRING IT BACK TO LEVELS AT THE END OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS IT ENDED IN MAY OF 2023.

THAT IS LESS AGGRESSIVE.

THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE DONE.

IT WOULD BE PAINFUL BUT IT COULD BE DONE.

RIGHT, JOE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK ACTON'S PLAN COULD ALSO COME ABOUT.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SAY THAT TAXES NEED TO BE RAISED.

AND WHERE THOSE TAXES ARE GOING TO BE RAISED.

I DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECKS OF OHIOANS TO HAVE PROPERTY TAXES AT THE LEVELS THAT THEY ARE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM REDUCED BY HALF.

BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCOME TAXES GRADUATED, INCREASED BY ABOUT 50%.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEITHER RAMASWAMY NOR ACTON, OF COURSE I'M NOT RUNNING FOR ANYTHING SO I CAN SAY WHATEVER I WANT.

THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO SAY.

>> TO FIX THE PROPERTY TAX PROBLEM, THEY HAVE GONE UP VERY SHARPLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DRASTIC, SOMETHING BOLD.

>> POLITICS REQUIRES BOLDNESS AND LAW MAKING REQUIRES NUANCE.

SO PROBABLY THE GREATEST ECONOMIST OF THE MODERN ERA, THERE ARE NO SOLUTIONS, THERE ARE ONLY TRADE-OFFS, SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE TO DO THAT.

SO IF WE ARE GOING TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES, OBVIOUSLY THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE BUT I'M SURE VIVEK WILL SAY LET'S GET SOME REDUCTIONS IN SPENDING BEFORE WE LOOK AT RAISING OTHER TAXES.

>> SOMETHING LIKE THAT FORCE THE CONSOLIDATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THAT THE STATE NEEDS.

THE CONSOLIDATION OF TOWNSHIPS.

>> PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, THERE ARE SOME PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY IS ONE OF THEM, THAT IS DOING A LOT WITH A LITTLE AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO PROBABLY COULD BE, SOME OF THEIR PROGRAMS COULD BE MERGED IN WITH OTHER SCHOOLS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME PROGRAMS AT ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

THERE'S A LOT OF IDEAS, DOGE SHOWED US THERE'S WAYS TO FIND GENUINE WASTE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MINNESOTA AND CALIFORNIA WITH THE SOCIAL SPENDING PROGRAMS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT HERE IN OHIO.

>> JO, TO AMY ACTON'S PROPOSALS.

TAX CREDITS FOR CHILDREN AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

SHE IS CRITICIZED FOR TRYING TO DO WHAT WAS DONE IN NEW YORK.

BUT HIS PROGRAM IS WE FREEZE RENT, FREE BUSES, FREE CHILD CARE, AND TAX THE RICH AND CORPORATIONS.

HERS TOOK EXPLANATION.

HIS DIDN'T.

IS HERS GOING TO WORK AS WELL AS HIS DID?

>> IT CERTAINLY NEED TO BE WORKED ON.

THAT IS WHY THE REASON THE FIRST WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH WAS THAT BERNIE SANDERS TRIED TO DO THE SAME THING.

AND HE NEVER EXPLAINED.

HE SAID IF WE CAN AFFORD THIS, WE CAN AFFORD THAT, NO, IF WE ARE REPORTING THIS, THE OPPOSITE IS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

SO I DO THINK THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE AND IF THE ONLY WAY TO REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH THROUGH GOVERNMENT IS THROUGH TAXATION, THEN THAT'S THE ONLY WAY.

AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

>> HE IS AN HONEST DEMOCRAT.

HE IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH.

BUT HE CAN NEVER RUN AGAIN HAVING SAID THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THOSE ARE HARD TRUTHS.

MAMDANI HAS HAD TO DIAL BACK SOME OF THOSE PROMISES.

HE CAN'T DELIVER MORE THAN A COUPLE OF FEET OF PROGRESS.

>> IT HAS BEEN 100 DAYS.

>> HE WAS SAYING FREE BUSES ARE A LONG WAY OFF AND THE NOTION OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED GROCERY STORES WILL BE RIDICULOUS.

>> JO, TO AMY ACTON'S STYLE, DO WE EXPECT HER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE AFFORDABILITY PROPOSALS MORE RELATABLE TO THE AVERAGE OHIOAN AND NOT EXPLAIN HOW THE NON-REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT WORKS?

>> I THINK SHE WILL TRY TO DO THAT.

WE SAW HER DO THAT WITH COVID.

SHE TRIED TO MAKE COVID SOMETHING PEOPLE COULD REALLY UNDERSTAND.

SHE HAD ALL KINDS OF ANALOGIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

I THINK SHE WILL TRY TO DO THAT.

BUT THE THING WE ARE ALL BASICALLY SAYING IS THAT SOMEHOW, SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW SHE CAN PAY FOR THAT.

AND WHEN I HAVE TALKED TO HER, WHEN WE HAVE TALKED TO HER AND ASKED QUESTIONS, IT HAS BEEN OH, IT IS A MATTER OF PRIORITY.

OUR PRIORITIES ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE.

PUBLIC, PRIVATE COOPERATION.

AND HOW THAT COULD HELP WITH SOME OF THESE THINGS SO I DON'T KNOW.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

>> BOTH CANDIDATES AGREE THAT PROPERTY TAXES ARE A PROBLEM.

>> I THINK MOST OHIOANS AGREE.

THE NATIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING TO HELP SENATOR JOHN HUSTON KEEP HIS SEAT WHICH COULD BE THE KEY TO KEEPING THE SENATE IN REPUBLICAN CONTROL IN WASHINGTON.

THE SENATE REPUBLICAN'S CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION PROMISES TO SPEND NEARLY $80 MILLION ON HUSTON'S BEHALF.

THE MOST THEY WILL SPEND ON ANY U.S.

SENATE CAMPAIGN THIS CYCLE.

THE CONSERVATIVE GROUP AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY HAS LAUNCHED A NEW AD FOR HUSTON.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, SHERROD BROWN HAS RAISED $12 MILLION IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN OUT PACING HUSTON IN DONATIONS.

JOE MAS?

>> I HAVE BEEN JUDGING BY THE LAST GO ROUND WE HAD IN THE SENATORIAL RACES.

THE FIGURE WAS $430 MILLION TOTAL.

AND I THINK 350 MILLION OF THAT CAME FROM THE NONIDENTIFYABLE GROUPS.

SO THAT WHAT THE CAMPAIGNS DO IS ACTUALLY A FRACTION OF THE TOTAL.

SO I THINK THAT BROWN WILL CERTAINLY KEEP UP WITH THE DONATIONS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL WITH RESPECT TO SUPPORT FROM THE DEMS NATIONALLY.

AND, THAT WILL BE AN INDICATER AS TO HOW WELL THIS IS DOING.

RIGHT NOW, BROWN IS RUNNING ACCORDING TO THREE OUT OF THE FOUR POLLS I THINK.

ONE OR TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS BEHIND.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, AS WITH THE GUBERNATORIAL RACES, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A REFERENDUM ON DONALD J. TRUMP.

THAT'S AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> ARE REPUBLICANS WORRIED ABOUT JOHN HUSTON?

>> NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

MY OLD FRIEND JOHN THUNE WILL MAKE SURE WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN SENATE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE PROBLEM WITH SHERROD BROWN, THE FRESH NEW FACE AND THE YOUNG VOICE OF CHANGE WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE SINCE GERALD FORD WAS PRESIDENT.

AND I LOOKED AT HIS NUMBERS.

IN 20212, IN FOR EXAMPLE, HE WON AND THEN LOST FIVE POINTS IN 2018.

THEN LOST THEM BOTH BY 12 POINTS IN 2024.

HE WILL ONLY WIN THOSE COUNTIES THAT ARE AS BLUE AS A SPOILED TODDLER.

>> WHY ARE REPUBLICANS SPENDING $80 MILLION TO HELP JOHN HUSTON?

>> THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A DECENT SHOT OF WINNING BACK THE HOUSE.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN THE BOARD TO TAKE BACK THE SENATE.

THE PRESIDENT CAN STILL CONFIRM JUDGES AND NO LEGISLATION WILL GET THROUGH WITHOUT SOME BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

>> I REMEMBER THE LAST TIME BROWN WAS ELECTED HE WON THE RACE, HE LOST IN 80 OF THE 88 COUNTIES.

BUT HE STILL WON.

>> NUMBERS IN THE VALLEY HAVE GONE DOWN.

HE USED TO BE POPULAR.

>> I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU.

>> NOW THEY LOOK AT HIM AS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

>> THAT PARTICULAR CLASS OF VOTERS, THERE IS STILL A QUESTION THAT THEY ARE LEANING TOWARD THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE QUESTION IS OVERALL IN THE ENTIRE STATE, IS HE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SQUEAK THROUGH THIS TIME?

I THINK WE HAVE A VERY, VERY GOOD CHANCE OF THAT ONCE AGAIN BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON AND BECAUSE HUSTON HAS BEEN SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE PRESIDENT ON EVERYTHING.

>> LOOKING AT THE MAIN MESSAGES, JOE, WHAT IS BROWN GOING TO RUN ON?

IS THAT WHAT HE IS GOING TO RUN ON?

AFFORDABILITY?

>> THAT IS HIS KEY ISSUE.

AFFORDABILITY, AND HE HAS SOME CORE GROUPS BEHIND HIM.

IF YOU LOOK AT TEACHERS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO BROWN BECAUSE AT THE VERY LAST THING HE DID WHEN HE WALKED OUT OF THAT OFFICE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, HE PASSED THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT.

HE HAD BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A LONG TIME.

WITH THE HELP OF REPUBLICANS, I'LL SAY THAT, TOO.

BUT THAT WAS PACKED AND THAT MADE A HUGE CHANGE FOR A LOT OF PUBLIC RETIREES IN THIS STATE WHO CAN NOW COLLECT BOTH THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY AND THEIR PENSION.

>> SO MARK WHAT IS JOHN HUSTON'S PRIMARY MESSAGE?

>> HE IS NOT PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO DONALD TRUMP.

OHIOANS KNOW HIM.

HE HAS BEEN STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

HE HAS BEEN SECRETARY OF STATE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORMENT PEOPLE KNOW HIM.

IT IS NOT AS THOUGH HE WAS IN SOME NEW PERSON THAT SHOWED UP IN TRUMP WORLD AND PUT HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT.

JOHN HUSTON PRETTY SERIOUS RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT IN OHIO.

AT A TIME WHEN OHIO WAS GETTING MORE REPUBLICAN.

SO SHERROD BROWN HAS A DIFFICULT RACE THIS YEAR.

>> CULTURE ISSUES, SOCIAL ISSUES, WHAT ROLE WILL THEY PLAY?

THE BROWN AND MORINO RACE WAS ALL ABOUT TRANSGENDER RIGHTS.

HAVE VOTERS MOVED ON FROM THAT?

IS THERE ANOTHER SOCIAL ISSUE?

>> I HOPE SO.

AND NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE REASON YOU MIGHT THINK.

MY CONCERN IS THAT WE ARE AS A NATION, SPENDING A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE RELEVANT TO A TINY PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION.

I HOPE WE DO TALK ABOUT THE MORE SERIOUS ISSUES.

AFFORDABILITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE, GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT COME ON NOW, TRANSGENDER RIGHTS, EVEN THE IMMIGRATION THING.

TRYING TO PAINT PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITIES AS CRIMINALS.

IT IS NOT RIGHT.

>> THAT IS NOT YOUR COMMUNITY AT ALL.

YOU ARE A LEGAL AMERICAN.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TAKING JOBS FROM LEGAL AMERICANS, THAT IS AN AFFORDABILITY QUESTION.

>> I WASN'T ALWAYS LEGAL.

I ARRIVED HERE AS A REFUGEE LIKE MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE.

AND THE 2 MILLION THAT HAVE TERMINATED TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS, I AM ONE OF THOSE.

PROUDLY SO.

>> CUBA HAS ALWAYS HAD REFUGEE STATUS SINCE FIDEL CASTRO BUT THE NOTION OF UNDER JOE BIDEN, AT LEAST 10 BILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COMING IN AND TAKING AMERICAN JOBS.

THAT IS FOUR SQUARE AFFORDABILITY AND IT WILL BE AN ISSUE THIS YEAR.

AND BROWN HAS A TERRIBLE RECORD ON THIS.

>> I TELL YOU WHAT.

DO IT THAT WAY.

DON'T DO IT BY ACCUSING US OF BEING CRIMINALS.

>> NOT YOU, YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.

>> THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS EITHER.

>> EVERYBODY WHO BREAKS THE LAW TO COME HERE IS BY DEFINITION A CRIMINAL.

AND FAR TOO MANY OF THEM ARE KILLING AND RAPING AMERICANS.

>> MARK, THAT IS NOT TRUE AND YOU KNOW IT IS NOT TRUE.

>> WE KNOW THE LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE IT.

>> IT IS NOT A LONG LIST.

RELEVANT TO 11 MILLION PEOPLE, YOU CAN CITE ME A LONG LIST OF A DOZEN PEOPLE.

THAT IS NOT FAIR.

>> EVERY WEEK THERE IS A DOZEN OR MORE.

AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE CRIMES IS PREVENTABLE BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, TIME FOR SPORTS.

>> OKAY,.

>> WE'LL GO TO SPORTS.

>> THE CITY COUNCIL IS DIVIDED ON AN ISSUE.

NEARLY ALL THE VOTES ARE UNANIMOUS.

THAT WILL LIKELY NOT BE THE CASE WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING $25 MILLION TO HASLAM SPORTS GROUP TO ATTRACT A NEW WOMEN'S PRO SOCCER TEAM TO COLUMBUS.

THE HASLAM SPORTS GROUP WHICH OWNS THE CLEVELAND BROWNS NEEDS TO BUILD THE TRAINING FACILITY.

TO PAY FOR THE $25 MILLION IN CITY PAYMENTS, THE CITY WOULD ENACT A 2% TAX ON ALL TICKETS AT THE HOME OF THE COLUMBUS CREW.

THAT IS SCOTT'S MIRACLE GRO FIELD.

SOME OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE SKEPTICAL.

JOE MAS, WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTING A PRO SPORTS TEAM, IT'S NOT THAT MUCH THESE DAYS.

>> IT'S AMAZING BUT YOU MAY BE RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

MY POSITION ON THIS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.

BEING ABLE TO FIND JOBS AND SO ON.

I THINK THIS CONTRIBUTES TO IT.

I BELIEVE THAT I'M ON THE SIDE OF WHAT CITY COUNCIL IS DOING HERE.

>> MARK, IS A 2% TAX ON THE TEAM THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW LEAGUE, IS THAT THE FAIREST WAY TO DO IT?

>> NO.

FIRST OF ALL, I PLAYED SOCCER IN HIGH SCHOOL, MY KIDS PLAYED SOCCER.

I LOVE SOCCER.

BUT IF THERE IS A MARKET FOR WOMEN'S SOCCER IN COLUMBUS, THEN INVESTORS CAN PUT UP THE MONEY.

IF THERE IS A MARKET, THEY WILL MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT THE PEOPLE GOING TO THE CREW GAME WANT TO SEE THE CREW.

CHARGING THEM FOR A GAME FOR MONEY THAT MIGHT GO TO FUND A TEAM THEY NEVER MAY SEE SUGGESTS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION NOT NEEDED TO GET A GOOD TEAM HERE.

>> YET, JO, WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BLUE JACKETS AND THE BROWNS.

>> THE BROWNS.

AND THE BENGALS.

>> $600 MILLION.

>> BUT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE.

THERE ARE MARKETS OUT THERE WHO SAY THEY CAN MAKE MONEY ON THIS.

IF COLUMBUS IS ONE OF THEM.

INVESTORS WILL COME.

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY GO TO THE TAXPAYERS AND THE TAXPAYERS ALWAYS END UP PAYING FOR THIS.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAY HEY, I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO GO TO THE BROWNS GAME.

OR TO THE CERTAIN GAME.

AND YET, I'M PAYING FOR IT.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT YES IT IS GREAT.

WOMEN'S SPORTS.

I LOVE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS BY THE WAY.

I THINK IT IS GREAT FOR LITTLE GIRLS TO SEE IT.

I ALSO THINK, THOUGH, TAKING MCCOY PARK THAT IS A PARK THAT IS IN A HARD HIT AREA OF COLUMBUS.

AND THE RESIDENTS THERE, THEY LIKE THAT GREEN SPACE.

THEY LIKE THAT PARK.

SO I THINK YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT IS BEING DONE.

>> IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BECAUSE IT IS WOMEN'S SPORTS?

SAY THEY PUT UP A BUNCH OF MONEY TO SAVE THE CREW.

AND THE BROWNS.

THE REDS AND THE BENGALS.

>> THE MOTIVATION IS MORE WHAT JO MENTIONED.

THERE SEEM TO BE SOME IMPETUS, SOME ENERGY BEHIND WOMEN'S SPORTS.

AND I THINK THAT CITY COUNCIL IS VIEWING THIS POSSIBILITY OF THIS TEAM LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MIGHT BE COMING IN THE AREA.

AND PROMOTING OTHER BUSINESSES THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE FANS.

>> OKAY, LET'S GET TO OUR FINAL OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOTS.

MARK WEAVER, YOU'RE UP FIRST.

>> I WILL MAKE A PREDICTION RIGHT HERE ON THE PROGRAM.

RIGHT AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY.

RIGHT AFTER OUR BIRTHDAY, JUSTICE ALITO WILL RETIRE AND JOHN THUNE WILL QUICKLY MOVE SOMEONE THROUGH.

>> I'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

SPRING MEMBERSHIP DRIVE.

LET ME SAY HERE.

DON'T SPOIL YOUR KIDS.

GO TALK TO YOUR ATTORNEY.

CHANGE YOUR WILL.

REDISTRICT SOME OF THE MONEY YOU OTHERWISE ARE GOING TO GIVE TO THE LITTLE BRATS.

AND MAKE A REQUEST TO WOSU.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

>> A BEQUEST.

>> JOE IS A BIG SUPPORTER AND ALWAYS HELPS US OUT.

>> AND BEQUEST.

>> JO?

>> I LIKE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE FLAGS ARE HALF STAFF.

I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHY.

HELEN RANKEN WHO WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO SERVE IN THE OHIO HOUSE.

SHE HAS PASSED AWAY.

THE FLAGS ARE AT HALF STAFF TO HONOR HER AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SAY THAT IS A BIG ACHIEVEMENT TO HAVE HER THERE AND CONDOLENCES TO HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THE MAYOR SAYS HE WANTS COLUMBUS TO BE THE WOMEN'S SPORTS CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY.

I THINK IT WILL BE HARD TO DO WITHOUT A WNBA TEAM.

RIGHT NOW, CLEVELAND HAS THE INSIDE TRACK ON THAT.

SO, MAYBE COLUMBUS CAN STEAL THAT TEAM FROM CLEVELAND.

THAT IS COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD THIS WEEK.

CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE, THE WOSU YOUTUBE PAGE.

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FOR OUR CREW AND OUR PANEL, I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.