>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

THESE ARE THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.

MANY ARE ON VACATION.

MANY ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

IT'S HARDLY A FERTILE TIME TO LOOK FOR VOTES FOR AN ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

SO CANDIDATES TEND TO LAY LOW.

J.D.

VANCE IS LAYING VERY LOW.

WE HAVE NOT REALLY SEEN HIM.

NO MAJOR CAMPAIGN EVENTS, NO TV ADS, AND IT TURNS OUT HE'S NOT RAISING THAT MUCH MONEY.

VANCE RAISED $2.3 MILLION IN THE LAST QUARTER.

THAT IS LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE MONEY HIS DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT TIM RYAN RAISED DURING THAT TIME.

RYAN HAS BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY, $10 MILLION, MAINLY ON TV AND DIGITAL ADS AND MAILERS.

LAURA BISCHOFF, YOU WANT TO SORT OF LOOK AT THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS.

WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU WHEN YOU SEE THAT DIFFERENCE, NINE AND 2 1/2 FOR VANCE?

>> TIM RYAN IS GOOD AT RAISING THE SMALL DOLLAR AMOUNT.

I THINK THAT IS SHOWING UP.

BUT LET'S KEEP IN MIND THAT VANCE IS FRIENDS WITH PETER TEAL AND EVEN IF THERE IS AN IMBALANCE, BY THE WAY, SUPER EARLY IN THE CAMPAIGN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO GO, A LOT OF RUNWAY TO GO, I THINK THAT THE PAC MONEY WILL PROBABLY FAVOR VANCE.

IT'S GOING TO SHAKE OUT TO BE A REALLY EXPENSIVE RACE.

THIS IS AN OPEN SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN -- HOW LONG?

>> 2010.

>> BOB, IS THIS A CONCERNING FIGURE FOR REPUBLICANS?

>> WELL, I MEAN IT'S CONTINUATION OF WHAT HAPPENED LAST CYCLE.

DEMOCRATS HAD THREE CANDIDATES THAT RAISED EITHER OVER $100 MILLION OR CLOSE TO IT.

AND KENTUCKY, AMY McGRATH AGAINST MITCH McCONNELL AND THEN LINDSEY GRAHAM IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND AGAINST SUZANNE COLLINS IN MAINE.

AND IN MAINE, SUSAN COLLINS WAS OUTSPEND 2-1 AND WON BY EIGHT POINTS.

>> ALL INCUMBENTS.

>> ALL INCUMBENTS.

BUT, I MEAN, MONEY MEANS A LOT BUT IN THE END IT DOESN'T DETERMINE WHO WINS.

AND WHILE THEY WERE ALL INCUMBENTS, YOU LOOK AT THIS YEAR, YOU LOOK AT OHIO, YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP CARRIED IT NOT ONCE BUT TWICE BY 8%, IT'S A RED STATE.

AND A RED, GOOD RED ENVIRONMENT.

SO I THINK MONEY IS NOT GOING TO PLAY THAT BIG OF A ROLE.

I DON'T THINK MONEY CAN PUSH TIM RYAN OVER THE FINISH LINE.

>> J.D.

VANCE DIDN'T RAISE A LOT OF MONEY HIMSELF FOR THE PRIMARY.

AS LAURA SAID, MOST OF THE MONEY CAME FROM PETER TEAL, $10 MILLION.

AND FROM PACS.

HE DOESN'T NEED MONEY ON HIS OWN TO WIN THE PRIMARY.

>> RIGHT.

BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS THE SITUATION WHERE RYAN IS WELL KNOWN.

HE IS A CONGRESSMAN.

HE'S NOT NECESSARILY WELL KNOWN TO EVERY ASPECT -- EVERY PLACE IN OHIO.

SO HE'S GETTING OUT THERE EARLY WITH HIS MONEY.

HE'S DOING THESE ADS.

HE'S WORKING AND TALKING ABOUT HIS WORKING CLASS VALUES.

HE'S TRYING TO RELATE TO THOSE TRUMP VOTERS SO HE CAME OVER TO TRUMP IN THE VERY END BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE HE WAS THE WORKING MAN'S CANDIDATE.

AND HE'S GETTING OUT THERE EARLY AND DEFINING HIMSELF WHICH MAY NOT BE A BAD IDEA ON HIS PART.

BUT HE'S GOING NEED MORE MONEY BECAUSE OF THE FIGHT.

>> THAT'S THE DANGER.

YOU RAISE ALL YOUR MONEY AND SPEND IT ALL EARLY WHEN REALLY A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF A STRETCH RUN LABOR DAY THROUGH ELECTION DAY?

>> WELL, YOU'RE CORRECT ON THAT.

BUT HE ALSO HAS ANOTHER PROBLEM.

AND THE PROBLEM IS IN HIS RHETORIC AND HIS PRESENTATION AND MESSAGES.

WE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SAID HEY, WHAT ABOUT US?

HE HASN'T SAID ANYTHING THAT MAKES US FEEL GOOD ABOUT HIM AS A CANDIDATE.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS A NEW GUY COMING ALONG AND WE'RE NOT REALLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THAT.

AND I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO YOU.

I THINK THAT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON HIM.

HIS CLOSENESS, IF THE RACE IS CLOSE AND HE DEPENDS ON THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO TAKE HIM OVER THE TOP, I'M NOT SURE OF THAT.

>> WELL, LIKE MANY DEMOCRATS, HE TAKES THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY FOR GRANTED.

MY THING IS, YOU KNOW, IS HE THE REPUBLICAN IN THIS RACE?

IF I'M LOOKING AT HIS ADS, I THINK, WAIT A SECOND, TRUMP ENDORSED HIM.

IN I WAS J.D.

VANCE, I'D HAVE AN OPEN INVITATION TO TIM RYAN THAT IF THE PRESIDENT EVER COMES IN TO CAMPAIGN FOR J.D.

VANCE, HE SHOULD HAVE TIM RIGHT THERE TOO.

>> YOU HAVE EVER SEEN A CAMPAIGN LIKE THIS, LAURA WHERE THEY GO CRAZY AND SPEND $10 MILLION?

>> I THINK HE IS TRYING TO DEFUND HIMSELF, GET HIMSELF OUT THERE AND MOVE ON IN THE VALLEY WHERE HE IS KNOWN.

HE'S NO THE THAT WELL KNOWN OUTSIDE OF THERE.

AND IT IS INTERESTING HOW HE IS CRAFTING HIMSELF AS THAT WORKING CLASS CANDIDATE.

ONE OF HIS ADS HE'S IN A BAR.

HE'S THROWING DARTS.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT YOUR PAYCHECK.

IF YOU WANT A CULTURE WAR FIGHTER, I'M NOT YOUR GUY.

IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR PAYCHECK, I'M YOUR GUY.

>> PETER TEAL HAS TOLD CNN OR SOMEBODY IN HIS CAMP TOLD CNN BACK IN MAY THAT HE WAS DONE AFTER THE PRIMARY.

HE WASN'T GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO CANDIDATES.

DO YOU BELIEVE HIM?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, MAYBE HE IS.

I THINK THE VANCE CAMPAIGN SHOULD PROCEED UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT HE IS DONE.

AND THEY GOT TO BE DOING WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO TO RAISE THE MONEY THAT -- TO GET HIM ON AND KEEP HIM UP FROM LABOR DAY ALL THE WAY ON.

IN THE END, THAT'S THE IMPORTANT TIME FRAME WE HAVE HERE.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT TIM RYAN'S DEFINING HIMSELF RIGHT NOW BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE VOTERS COME, THEY'LL SHOW HE VOTED WITH JOE BIDEN 99.9% OF THE TIME.

HE SAYS ABORTION IS FINE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WILL DEFINE HIM IN THE FALL.

THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION AND HE SAID NO.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH ABORTION ON THE DEMOCRATS' SIDE.

NOW IF YOU COME UP WITH LIKE A 14 WEEK OR EVEN, YOU KNOW, LATER, THERE IS A SEGMENT OF THE PARTY THAT SAYS GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE PUTTING ANY RESTRAINTS ON WOMEN.

THEY SHOULD HAVE TOTAL, YOU KNOW, ABILITY TO MAKE THAT DECISION UP TO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE A PROBLEM TOO.

>> YEAH.

>> THE REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO ALLOW ANY EXCEPTIONS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE EXCEPTION FOR THE LIFE OF A MOTHER.

BUT AS WE'RE SEEING FROM A LOT OF DOCTORS, A LOT OF DOCTORS ARE SAYING OH, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EXERCISE THAT.

>> SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY?

THE POLITICS OF ABORTION FORCE BOTH PARTIES TO GO TO THE VERY EXTREME.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THAT MEANS IT'S A WASH. >> RIGHT.

>> BECAUSE YOU GOT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ISSUE.

AND YOU CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT ISSUE IF YOU'RE BOTH AT THE EXTREME.

AND THAT'S WHERE TIM RYAN SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.

AND THEN SHE IN A 24-WEEK VIABILITY LIMIT.

HE JUST HAD A PROGRESSIVE RUN AGAINST HIM, MORGAN HARPER.

I THINK HE WAS WORRIED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO COME AFTER HIM.

HE IS ALSO FORMER PRO-LIFE.

WHEN HE FIRST STARTED HIS CAREER, HE WAS PRO-LIFE.

SO HE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PRO ABORTION PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY SUSPICIOUS OF HIM IN SOME RESPECTS.

SO I SEE WHY HE DID IT.

I THINK IN THE END IT'S GOING TO HURT HIM.

>> ALL RIGHT, VOTERS ARE CASTING BALLOTS FOR THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

AND THEY ARE DOING SO FOR UNCONSTITUTIONAL STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

VOTERS WILL CAST BALLOTS IN THOSE UNCONSTITUTIONAL STATE HOUSE DISTRICTS IN THE FALL.

AND NOW WE KNOW VOTERS WILL PICK CANDIDATES FOR UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN THE FALL AS WELL.

ACCORDING TO THE OHIO SUPREME COURT, EVERY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT IN OHIO, STATE AND FEDERAL, IS ILLEGAL.

THE COURT THIS WEEK RULED THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL MAP SUBMITTED BY OHIO LAWMAKERS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND GAVE LAWMAKERS TWO MONTHS TO DRAW ANOTHER ONE.

IT WON'T MAT THEY ARE YEAR BECAUSE THE REJECTED MAPS DISTRICTS ARE SET.

AS ARE STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD CHANGE IS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION.

SAM GRESHAM, CHAIR OF COMMON CAUSE, YOU WORKED ON THIS.

THIS RULING HAS TO BE BITTERSWEET.

>> WE WANT A CLEAR, OBJECTIVE RULING.

IT SHOWS THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE OF THE OPPONENTS WITH REGARDS TO THE SUBJECT.

THEY ARE GIVING US SO MUCH MATERIAL TO SAY WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONER ON THIS TYPE OF THING TO DO THIS WORK.

I FEEL SORRY FOR THEM.

I REALLY DO.

AND MAYBE SOME PEOPLE LISTEN TO ME SAY WHY DO YOU FEEL SORRY FOR THEM?

BECAUSE HE SHOWS A LEVEL OF INCOMPETENCE.

AND INABILITY TO BE STRATEGIC WHEN IT COMES TO THESE ELEMENTS.

NOW THE SUPREME COURT MAY NOT BE GETTING ANY BETTER FOR THEM.

SOME OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE HAVE CHANCES OF WINNING ON DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

SO IF YOU EXPECT ANY RELIEF FROM THE SUPREME COURT, DON'T LOOK FOR IT.

>> ONE REASON WHY THIS MAP WILL BE USED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE IS VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS TOOK A PASS ON THIS CYCLE.

IS THAT WISE?

SHOULD HE HAVE KEPT FIGHTING?

>> NO.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US IN THE END IS GETTING A MAP THAT WORKS AND THAT IS FAIR AND INDEPENDENT.

WE SEE THIS PROCESS WON'T ALLOW YOU TO DO THAT.

SO WHAT WE'RE PUTTING ALL OUR MARBLES INTO IS THE NEXT CAMPAIGN ON A CITIZEN INITIATIVE TO GET AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION WITH ALL THE SAME RULES.

>> LAURA, DO YOU EXPECT THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP IF IT COMES OUT AFTER THE LAWMAKERS GET IT FIRST OR THE COMMISSION GETS IT AGAIN, TWO MONTHS LATER WILL WE SEE A MAP DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW?

>> WE HAVE SIX MAPS THAT WERE REJECTED.

SO MAYBE WE'LL HAVE SEVEN.

IT IS INTERESTING.

I THINK THAT THE MAKEUP OF THE OHIO SUPREME COURT IS LIKELY TO CHANGE BECAUSE O'CONNOR IS THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

SHE WILL BE LEAVING DECEMBER 31st DUE TO AGE LIMIT.

SHE CAN'T RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

AND SAM IS RIGHT, THE BALANCE OF THE COURT IS UP IN THE AIR.

AND SO IT COULD BE -- I COULD SEE THE REPUBLICANS WAITING IT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THE BALANCE OF THE COURT HINGES ON WHETHER THE TWO DEMOCRATS JAMIESON AND ZIOS IF THEY CAN KNOCK OFF EITHER OF THE TWO PATS FROM CINCINNATI.

>> YEAH.

BOB, WHY SHOULD ANYONE ADHERE TO AN OHIO SUPREME COURT DECISION?

I MEAN, THEY RULED THESE MAPS OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNCONSTITUTIONAL T WE'RE ALL VOTING ON THEM.

>> I KNOW.

WELL, THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAD FEDERAL JUDGES THAT, YOU KNOW, PUT IT INTO EFFECT.

I THINK WHAT I THINK WE SHOULD DO IS JUST LET THIS ELECTION OCCUR.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I COULD SEE THAT DEMOCRATS PICK UP FIVE SEATS.

AND THEN IF IT'S A GOOD -- IT'S NOT A GOOD DEMOCRAT YEAR.

BUT IN A GOOD DEMOCRAT YEAR, I CAN SEE THAT NUMBER GOING UP TO SEVEN.

BECAUSE I THINK TURNER AND DAVE JOYCE, MIKE TURNER AND DAVE JOYCE IN SUBURBAN CLEVELAND, I THINK BOTH OF THOSE DISTRICTS COULD VERY WELL BE IN PLAY IN A DEMOCRATIC YEAR.

SO, I MEAN, THEY'RE LOOKING -- THE COURT IS LOOKING AT THE MAP AND PREDETERMINING HOW THEY'RE GOING TO TURN OUT.

YOU NO HE WHAT?

LET THE VOTERS, YOU KNOW, HAVE THEIR VOICE FIRST BEFORE WE SAY FOR SURE.

IF IT GOES THIS WAY, THAT DISTRICT IS GOING TO GO THE OTHER WAY.

A LOT OF TIMES IN REDISTRICTING PARTIES TRY TO GERRYMANDER AND IT DOESN'T WORK OUT FOR THEM.

>> WITH MOST ABORTIONS IN OHIO NOW ILLEGAL, COMPANIES AND EVEN SOME GOVERNMENTS ARE OFFERING TO PAY EXPENSES FOR WOMEN WHO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE FOR ABORTIONS.

CLEVELAND MAYOR JUSTIN BIBB SAYS HE WANTS CITY COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A $100,000 FUND TO PAY FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES.

CINCINNATI PLANS TO REIMBURSE CITY WORKERS FOR TRAVEL COSTS.

SEVERAL COMPANIES INCLUDING KROGER, CARDINAL HEALTH, PROCTOR & GAMBLE AND ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH WILL PAY FOR TRAVEL COSTS.

THE MOVES EARN PRAISE FROM ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTERS AND THREATS OF BOYCOTTS FROM ABORTION RIGHTS OPPONENTS.

JO INGLES THIS IS THE NEW BATTLE.

HOW MUCH HELP SHOULD COMPANIES GIVE TO PEOPLE WHERE ABORTION IS RESTRICTED?

>> MOST OF THE BUSINESSES, THIS IS THE THING THAT THEY DON'T LIKE.

BECAUSE THIS IS THE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE.

YOU KNOW?

IT'S NOT -- BUSINESSES ARE NOT JUST COMPETING OTHER BUSINESSES IN OHIO.

THE THEY'RE COMPETING ALL THE STATES THAT OFFER LEGAL ABORTION.

AND IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET, FOR EXAMPLE, IF INTEL THAT IS COMING INTO CENTRAL OHIO IS TRYING TO GET THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM CALIFORNIA TO COME IN AND WORK IN OHIO, ABORTION MIGHT BE AN ISSUE FOR SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO MIGHT SAY, YOU KNOW, I REALLY HE DON'T LIKE THIS STANCE.

SO IT'S A WAY FOR BUSINESSES TO DEAL WITH THAT.

BUT ALSO, THERE IS THE REALIZATION THAT AS WE WERE TALKING BEFORE, THERE IS A MASSIVE MIDDLE IN THERE ON THIS ISSUE.

I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS BUSINESSES ARE DOING IS TRYING TO SPEAK TO THAT.

>> LAURA, WE ASSUME THAT LAW MAKERS ARE THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT BILL THEY WILL PASS PROBABLY IN THE LAME DUCK SESSION THAT WILL FURTHER RESTRICTS ABORTION IN OHIO, POSSIBLY BAN IT COMPLETELY.

LOOKING AT THESE CASES AND LOOKING AT DOCTORS AFRAID TO DO MISCARRIAGE PROCEDURES FOR FEAR THAT THEY WOULD BE CHARGED OR ACCUSED COMMITTING AN ABORTION.

A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL THAT IS RAPED CANNOT GET AN ABORTION IN OHIO.

LAWMAKERS LOOK AT THESE AND HOW TO WRITE THE LEGISLATION YOU THINK?

>> SO MY COLLEAGUE WENT AND DID A STORY THIS WEEK ABOUT THAT.

AND FOUND THAT BASICALLY, NO, THEY'RE NOT CONSIDERING THE CASES OF A 10-YEAR-OLD OR THE OTHER ISSUES.

THE OHIO LEGISLATURE IS VERY, VERY ANTI-ABORTION AND THEY ARE PLANNING ON ENACTING A FULL BAN THING AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION IS WHEN LIFE BEGINS.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ABORTION AFTER THAT.

>> I KNOW WHEN I SAY THIS, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ME LIKE I'M CRAZY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE AMERICAN AFRICAN COMMUNITY THAT DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD THIS LIMIT ON ABORTION.

AND THE 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL WON'T BE A MOM.

BECAUSE THERE WERE A THE LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THAT.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE THE HEARTBEAT BILL GOT SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IN JANUARY OF 2019, I THINK.

AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY PUT ON HOLD UNTIL THE DODD DECISION CAME OUT.

AND THEN THE COURT GOT IT LIFTED AND NOW IT'S LAW.

>> ANY CHANCE, BOB, THAT LEGISLATURE JUST STICKS WITH THE HEARTBEAT LAW, CARDIAC ACTIVITY LAW WHICH WILL ELIMINATE 90% OF THE ABORTIONS IN OHIO.

IT'S THERE NOW.

NO MORE FIGHTS.

>> WELL, THEY MIGHT.

BECAUSE THAT BILL PASSED.

AND ANYTHING ELSE THEY DO OUTSIDE OF THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY REAL CLEAR IDEA WHETHER IT'S GOING TO PASS OR NOT.

NOW ON THE PAYMENT BY BUSINESSES FOR ABORTIONS, I THINK THAT'S FINE.

IF BUSINESSES WANT TO DO THAT.

BUT I ALSO WANT BUSINESSES TO PAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES WHO DO GIVE BIRTH AND GO ON MATERNITY LEAVE AND LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT AVERAGE COST IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING OUT FOR ABORTION AND GIVE THAT EMPLOYEE THAT DID GIVE BIRTH THAT MONEY ALSO.

>> HOW ABOUT GOVERNMENT?

CITY GOVERNMENTS?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT BECAUSE OF FEDERAL MONEYS CAN NOT BE USED FOR ABORTION SERVICES.

BUT THERE IS NO PROHIBITION ON CITY FUNDS, CITY GOVERNMENT FUNDS.

>> THAT COULD BE -- ONCE YOU START GOING DOWN THAT ROAD, MY GUESS IS YOU'RE GOING TO THEN HAVE THAT ON THE BALLOT IN VARIOUS CITIES ON WHETHER THAT CITY CAN, YOU KNOW, FUND THAT.

>> ISN'T THIS GETTING ABSURD?

IT'S A WOMAN'S BODY.

MUCH IT'S A FAMILY'S DECISION.

I'M SAYING TO YOU -- >> YEAH.

AND I BELIEVE IT'S A LIFE.

WE CAN DISAGREE ON.

THAT BUT WE'RE EACH COMING AT IT FROM DIFFERENT SIDES.

>> I DISAGREE WITH YOU.

>> CAN YOU DISAGREE.

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OPINION.

>> YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OPINION.

>> THAT'S WHY WE ARE ON HERE, OKAY?

I'M GOING TO PREDICT THIS WHOLE THING IS GOING TO BACKFIRE ON THE RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

IF IT'S NOT THE POLITICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS THING TO DO, SO BE IT.

YOU HAVE TO BE TRUE TO WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE POLITICS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>>> SEVERAL OHIO REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN JOINED DEMOCRATS THIS WEEK AND VOTED FOR A FEDERAL LAW TO PROTECT SAME SEX MARRIAGE.

CONGRESSMEN MIKE CAREY, ANTHONY GONZALEZ, DAVE JOYCE, AND MIKE TURNER ALL VOTED TO CODIFY SAME SEX MARRIAGE.

AND REPUBLICAN ROB PORTMAN NOT ONLY SUPPORTS THE BILL IN THE SENATE, HE IS CO-SPONSORING IT.

SUPPORTERS NEED EIGHT MORE REPUBLICAN VOTES IN THE SENATE FOR IT TO PASS.

BOB CLEGG GAINED POSITION ON GAY MARRIAGE AFTER THAT CAME OUT.

WHY DO YOU THINK HE IS NOW -- NOT ONLY SUPPORTING IT BUT CO-SPONSORING THIS BILL?

>> BECAUSE I MEAN I THINK IT'S A VERY, VERY PERSONAL ISSUE WITH HIM.

REMEMBER, PORTMAN CAME OUT IN FAVOR OF GAY MARRIAGE BEFORE BARACK OBAMA OR HILLARY CLINTON DID.

I MEAN THAT TELLS YOU HOW FAR IN FRONT HE WAS ON THIS WHOLE ISSUE.

NOW, YOU KNOW, I SAID THIS MANY TIMES ON THIS SHOW.

I DON'T LIKE GOVERNMENT SANCTIONING MARRIAGE.

I DON'T THINK GOVERNMENT HAS ANY BUSINESS INVOLVED IN IN, YOU KNOW, WHO SHOULD GET MARRIED AND WHO SHOULDN'T GET MARRIED.

I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD.

BUT I MEAN I THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS.

I THINK YOU SAW IN THE HOUSE WHAT WAS IT, YOU KNOW, 45 REPUBLICANS VOTED TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

IT'S A PRETTY, YOU KNOW -- 20 YEARS AGO -- >> YOU'RE NOT BEING TOTALLY TRANSPARENT HERE.

HE'S RETIRING.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

>> LET THEM KNOW.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

HE CAME OUT IN FAVOR OF GAY MARRIAGE WELL BEFORE HE HAD TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> BUT HE'S NOT GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> NO.

NO.

WHEN HE CAME OUT IN FAVOR OF GAY MARRIAGE, IT WAS BEFORE BARACK OBAMA OR HILLARY CLINTON.

>> AND THEN HE DIED DOWN ON THE SUBJECT.

>> OKAY.

>> IF HE CARED ABOUT THE POLITICS OF IT, HE WOULDN'T HAVE COME OUT IN FAVOR OF IT.

>> LET'S GO TO WHERE THE STATE S I LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS TODAY.

IN 2004, LAURA, THE OHIO GAY MARRIAGE BAN PASSED 62% TO 38%.

WASN'T EVEN CLOSE.

THE LAST POLL FROM 2021 SHOWED 70% OF OHIOANS NOW SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE, 30% OPPOSE IT.

IN 18 YEARS, LESS THAN A GENERATION, WE TOTALLY FLIPPED.

THAT'S INCREDIBLE TO SEE THAT.

>> I THINK THE ACCELERATION REALLY HAPPENED AFTER IT WAS DECIDED BY THE SUPREME COURT.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE, IT BECAME LESS OF A PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT IS MORE AND MORE FAMILIES FOUND THEY HAD CLOSE FRIENDS THAT HAVE -- THAT WANT TO GET MARRIED.

AND HE SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT SANCTIONING MARRIAGE.

BUT GETTING MARRIED COMES WITH BENEFITS.

AND THE GOVERNMENT SAID LIKE YOU GET CERTAIN TAX BREAKS.

>> YEAH.

AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION.

IF YOU WANT TO SANCTION YOUR MARRIAGE THAT, IS A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION.

I DON'T THINK GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SAYING, YES, THESE PEOPLE CAN GET MARRIED.

NO, THESE PEOPLE CANNOT GET MARRIED.

>> EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE FROM CITY HALL?

>> YES.

I DON'T THINK GOVERNMENT HAS ANY RIGHT TO SAY WHO -- WHEN IT'S SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHO CAN DO IT AND WHO CAN'T.

>> JO, YOU THINK THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING WE DON'T NEED THIS BECAUSE IT'S SETTLED LAW?

WE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

>> YEAH.

THE I THINK WE HEARD THAT BEFORE, MIKE.

YEAH.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT IT IS NEEDED.

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COMMENTS THAT JUSTICE THOMAS MADE WHEN HE WAS WRITING AFTER, YOU KNOW, STRIKING DOWN ROE.

HE INDICATED THAT THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT.

AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT IT AND I THINK LAURA IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE BACK IN 2004 DIDN'T HAVE THE FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THAT WERE GAY THAT THEY HAVE NOW.

AND NOW -- >> THAT THEY KNEW OF.

>> THAT THEY KNEW OF.

AND NOW THAT MAYBE IS CHANGING THE LENS THROUGH WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS.

>> LET'S GET TO THE LAST TOPIC.

THE OHIO STATE FAIR HAS ALWAYS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO CARRY GUNS AT THE FAIR.

THEY HAVE TO ABIDE BY ALL STATE LAWS AND THEY CANNOT CARRY FIREARMS INTO BUILDINGS.

THE POLICY HAS GAINED NEW ATTENTION THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE RECENT RASH OF MASS SHOOTINGS AND A CHANGE IN IF STATE LAW WITH THE ELIMINATION OF THE CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS.

ALL GUN CARRYING FAIR GOERS CAN KEEP THEIR GUNS HIDDEN.

BY THE WAY, FAIR GOERS STILL HAVE TO PASS THROUGH METAL DETECTORS WHICH SEEMS A BIT ODD.

SAM GRESHAM, IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?

SHOULD THEY SAY NO GUNS IF HE FAIR?

>> THEY SHOULD SAY NO GUNS AT THE FAIR.

EVERYBODY IS GOING TO RESPOND TO THE RECENT INDICATES WHERE A SAMARITAN WAS THERE ON TIME, SAVED EVERYBODY.

IMAGINE A SITUATION WITH 40 TO 100 PEOPLE ARMED WITH WEAPONS.

THAT WOULD SCARE ME TO DEATH.

I THINK AGAIN THIS IS GOING TO COME BACK AND REALLY HIT THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HEAD ONE DAY.

BESIDES ABORTION.

I ALWAYS TELL MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR.

>> WHAT DOES THE STATE LAW?

YOU CAN CARRY -- YOU CAN BRING A GUN TO -- I COULDN'T FIND THIS OUT.

YOU CAN CARRY A GUN TON A STATE PARK BUT NOT INTO A BUILDING.

I WONDER IF IF THE FAIR IS PROHIBITED FROM PROHIBITING THEM.

>> CAN YOU COME IN AND MILL AROUND OUTSIDE.

YOU CAN'T GO INSIDE INTO A BUILDING.

>> YES.

>> YOU CAN'T USE THE BATHROOM.

>> >> NO.

>> YOU HAVE TO GO BACK OUT TO YOUR CAR, LOCK UP YOUR GUN AND USE THE POTTY.

>> IT MAKES IT INCONVENIENT EVEN TO JUST BRING THE GUN.

>> OR HYDRATING.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> WELL, HERE'S MY QUESTION.

RIDES ARE OUTSIDE.

CAN YOU CARRY A GUN ON TO THE TILT-A-WHIRL.

>> THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> AND IF YOU'RE IN AN ENCLOSED RIDE, YOU'D BE INDOORS.

>> BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE DROP THEIR CELL PHONES ON THE TILT-A-WHIRL AND DO YOU WANT A LOADED GUN BEING DROPPED.

>> CAN YOU BUY ALCOHOL OUT THERE, RIGHT?

YOU WANT PEOPLE WALKING AROUND WITH GUNS HAVING A GOOD TIME?

OH, MY GOD.

>> IT'S LIKE THAT EVERY NIGHT.

PEOPLE WALK AROUND WITH GUNS DRINKING ALCOHOL.

>> LIKE THAT'S A GOOD IDEA?

>> I KNOW.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> STATE TROOPERS PROVIDE SECURITY.

AND, YOU KNOW, SAM, YOU SAID YOU'D BE SCARED IF THERE WERE 40 OR 50 PEOPLE WALKING AROUND CARRYING WEAPONS.

I WOULD THINK THERE IS WAY MORE THAN THAT.

>> OH, MY GOD.

>> VERY POPULAR.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT LONG TIME FAIR GOERS SAY THAT THEY NEVER SEEN ANYBODY WITH A GUN AT THE FAIR.

OF COURSE NOW WE'RE GETTING ATTENTION, MAYBE SOME WILL.

>> I'LL TELL YOU, I'M IN SAM'S CLUB THE OTHER DAY.

AND THIS GUY WALKED AROUND WITH TWO OF THEM STRAPPED ON HIM.

AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE EVERYBODY IN THE STORE LOOKED.

THEY WERE LIKE OH, MY GOD.

WE HAVE GONE HERE NOW.

>> THAT'S THE POINT.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE FAIR.

EVERY LIFE WHERE WE GO PLACES, THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH GUNS.

YOU KNOW?

THIS IS THE WAY IT IS NOW.

>> JO, DOES IT DISCOURAGE FOLKS FROM GOING TO THE FAIR?

>> I THINK THE 100 DEGREE HEAT WILL DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM GOING TO THE FAIR.

BUT, NO.

THE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY, YOU NO HE WHAT?

THERE ARE GUNS EVERYWHERE.

I'M JUST GOING TO GO TO THE FAIR AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

AND THE ONE THING THAT WE DIDN'T SAY IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CARRYING THOSE GUNS, CONCEALED ALL ALONG AND YOU NEVER KNEW IT.

>> THEY HAVE THE METAL DETECTORS.

>> BUT THIS WEEKEND RAISED CONCERN IN MY HOUSEHOLD.

WE GO TO THE FESTIVAL.

AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE WERE SAYING WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THIS?

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?

IT WILL BE A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE OUT THERE.

ARE WE GOING TO GET AN IDIOT COMING ALONG?

>> ALL RIGHT.

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

SAM GRESHAM?

>> THE FIRST THINK I WANT TO THANK MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS FOR IS I WON'T BE AROUND HERE WHEN IT HAPPENS.

BUT 20 YEARS FROM NOW, YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR ABORTION AND THE GUNS.

>> BOB?

>> RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, I PUT FORTH THAT PROBABLY FOR SURE MAYBE THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN 2024 IS GOING TO BE IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

THAT MEANS THEY'RE TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY DID IN 2016 WITH CLEVELAND AND THEN OHIO VOTED FOR TRUMP.

SO I THINK THAT LET'S DO MILWAUKEE AND HOPE THAT WISCONSIN GOES FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

>> JO INGLES.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT COVID.

OUR COVID NUMBERS ARE UP.

ONE THING THAT WE REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SAY WELL, YOU KNOW, I CAN WEATHER THROUGH IT.

IT'S JUST LIKE THE FLU.

OKAY, MAYBE YOU CAN BUT MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE THAT YOU AFFECT CANNOT.

SO I WOULD JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE, IF YOU'RE AROUND PEOPLE WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS OR OLDER FOLKS, WEAR A MASK AROUND THEM IF YOU'VE BEEN AROUND OTHER PEOPLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND LAURA?

>> I WANT TO NOTE THAT THIS WEEK IS THE TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF LARRY HOUSEHOLD AND THE REST OF THE GANG GETTING ARRESTED AND THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF FIRSTENERGY SIGNING THAT DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT.

SO HAPPY CORRUPTION ANNIVERSARY.

>> AND STILL NO MOVEMENT TRIAL SET TO BEGIN -- SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

BUT AS LAURA KNOWS, FEDERAL COURTS MOVE VERY SLOWLY.

THAT IS IT FOR "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" FOR THIS WEEK.

CHECK US OUT ONLINE.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND YOU CAN WATCH EVERY EPISODE ON DEMAND AT OUR WEBSITE, WOSU.ORG.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.