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

WITH THREE WEEKS TO GO IN OHIO'S ELECTION MONTH, SOME NOTABLE TRENDS ARE STARTING TO DEVELOP FIRST, IN THE TIGHT U.S. SENATE RACE VITRINE TIM RYAN AND J.D.

VANCE.

TWO POLLS RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOW LITTLE DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THE CANDIDATE DID USA TODAY NETWORK UNIVERSITY POLL SHOWS VANCE WITH A TWO POINT LEAD.

A FEW DAYS LATER, ANOTHER POLE SHOWED A BIT OF A GAP OPENING UP BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES.

A POLL DONE BY THE FIRM SHOWS MAN'S WITH A FOUR POINT LEAD -- THAT IS JUST OUTSIDE THE MARGIN OF ERROR.

WITH THE RACE SO TIGHT, MANY TUNED INTO THE SECOND AND FINAL DEBATE BETWEEN THE TWO MEN.

IT WAS MORE SPIRITED AND MORE VANCE TIED TIM VANCE TO NANCY PELOSI.

RYAN TIED VANCE TO EXTREMIST WHO BELIEVE DEMOCRATS ENCOURAGE IMMIGRATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR TO REPLACE WHITE PEOPLE.

>> THIS GREAT REPLACEMENT THEORY WAS THE MOTIVATOR FOR THE SHOOTING IN BUFFALO, WHERE THAT SHOOTER HAD ALL THESE GREAT REPLACEMENT THEORY WRITINGS THAT J.D.

VANCE AGREES WITH, SOME SICKO GOT THIS INFORMATION THAT HE IS PEDDLING --AGAIN, THOSE EXTREMIST THAT HE RUNS AROUND WITH, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, TED CRUZ --ALL THESE GUYS THEY WANT TO SOAK THIS RACIAL VIOLENCE.

WE ARE TIRED OF IT, JD.

>> THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE MEDIA PEOPLE LIKE TIM RYAN OF ACCUSE ME OF THE GREAT REPLACEMENT THEORY.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS, AND TIM.

MY OWN CHILDREN, MY BIRACIAL CHILDREN GET ATTACKED, SCUMBAGS ONLINE AND IN PERSON BECAUSE YOU ARE SO DESPERATE FOR ACCUSE ME, THE FATHER OF THREE BEAUTIFUL BIRACIAL BABIES OF ENGAGING IN RACISM, WE ARE SICK OF IT.

>> ENTERED TOBIAS, PRETTY HEATED MOMENT IN THAT DEBATE, CAN YOU TELL FROM THE POLLS IF THESE DEBATES ARE HAVING ANY IMPACT ON THIS RACE?

>> I DON'T THINK OF DEBATES THAT WAY UNLESS A CANDIDATE MAKES A COLOSSAL ERROR THAT BREAKS THROUGH AND MAKES THEM LOOK BAD WITH ALL VOTERS.

IT IS MORE ABOUT CLIPS THAT CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO CREATE.

THE ONE WE WATCH RIGHT THERE IS PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT J.D.

VANCE -- ACTUALLY, NO, IT IS PUSHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

TIM RYAN HAD HIS OWN ZINGER AND EXCHANGES THAT HE HAD.

IT IS MUCH MORE LIKE ITEMIZE, I GUESS.

I THINK IT DOES POTENTIALLY GIVE HIM UP TO RAISE MONEY.

PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THAT.

THEY HAVE NOT HAD AN OPINION ABOUT IT.

IT TENDS TO BE SORT OF LIMITED.

>> I LOOK AT REPUBLICANS AFTER THAT PRIMARY AND THEY WERE SKEPTICAL OF J.D.

VANCE --GIFTABLE IF HE WAS A SUPPORTER OF DONALD TRUMP.

I THINK THE DEBATES HELPED HIM SORT OF PUT THOSE FEARS ASIDE.

>> WE ALWAYS SEE THERE WHEN A CONTENTIOUS PRIMARY.

TIM RYAN HAD A PRIMARY THAT WAS CONTENTIOUS.

OF COURSE YOU KNOW J.D.

VANCE HAD THAT.

WE HAD TO READ BUILD HIS IMAGE OVER THE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL.

I THINK HE HAS DONE THAT.

THIS RACE SHOULD REVERT BACK TO OHIO'S DEFAULT.

IT IS SIX, EIGHT, 10 POINTS OF THE RIGHT.

>> JUST A MOMENT, THIS WAS IN THE VALLEY, THIS IS OUR TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THIS --I DON'T KNOW THE RATINGS ARE LIKE, DOES HAVE ANY IMPACT OF THEIR?

>> THIS WAS AN AREA THAT WOULD BE GOOD J.D.

VANCE TO POLITICIZE.

IT IS AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN TRAINING REPUBLICANS IN THAT AREA IT IS AN AREA THAT TIM RYAN HAS REPRESENTED AT VARIOUS POINTS OVER THE YEAR.

THIS SHOULD BE A NICE HOME BASE FOR HIM.

PART OF THE REASON WHY HE IS LOOKING AT U.S. SENATE IS THE TREND IS OWN REPRESENTATIVE AREA ARE BECOMING LESS AND LESS FAVORABLE FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> THEY FOCUS MORE ON ECONOMIC ISSUES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CULTURAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL ISSUES.

THE ECONOMY CAME UP, OF COURSE GRID MAHONEY VALLEY, THAT IS THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF THIS CAMPAIGN IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IT REPRESENTS OHIO 'S DECLINING MANUFACTURING ECONOMY.

>> REALLY, TWO COMPONENTS OF THE ECONOMY.

REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT INFLATION.

THE DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE TALKING A LOT MORE ABOUT JOBS.

HERE IN OHIO, THE TRADITIONAL FORM OF THE ECONOMY WAS ALWAYS JOBS.

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.

ALL WAY BACK TO JIM RHODES.

I WAS SURPRISED THAT NEITHER CANDIDATE WAS DOING ENOUGH -- I UNDERSTAND WHY RYAN WOULD NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY, BUT IN FACT, PART OF THE ECONOMY THAT DEALS WITH EMPLOYMENT --THOSE NUMBERS ARE SPECTACULAR.

ALWAYS FIGHTING TO KEEP JOBS THAT IS FINE.

IT REALLY REFLECTS THE YOUNGSTOWN AREA AND ALL THAT.

REPUBLICANS WERE SAYING, JUST TALK ABOUT INFLATION.

DO NOT TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

DON'T TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.

IT WAS A LITTLE SURPRISING.

I THINK THESE CANDIDATES DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER.

I THINK PROBABLY RYAN UNDERSTANDS THAT THE ONLY CHANCE HE HAS TO WIN IS IF IN FACT HE CAN CONCEPTUALLY PORTRAY J.D.

VANCE IN AUTHENTIC AND EXTREMIST.

>> HE MUST LIKE HIM AS BUDDY, PAL.

I WAS WAITING FOR PARTNER.

>> TIM RYAN HAS BEEN GOING FOR THE WHITE WORKING CLASS MALE FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.

HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO RECAPTURE THOSE FOLKS HAVE GONE TO TRUMP.

THE CYGNAL POLL SHOWS THAT HE LEADS AMONG MEN WITHOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE AND A 24 POINT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THAT IS WORKING, AT LEAST NOT WELL ENOUGH.

>> THAT IS SOMEWHAT BETTER THAN TRUMP DID.

THAT IS NOT A TERRIBLE NUMBER IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT.

WITH THE THINGS THAT YOU SAW TIM RYAN SPEAK ABOUT ANY DEBATE, WHICH ARE JANUARY 6th, GREAT REPLACEMENT THEORY, AS WELL AS ABORTION, KIND OF SPEAKS TO THE ELEMENTS THAT MAYBE THE MORE GETTABLE COALITION THAT HE IS TRYING TO GET.

IT INCLUDES THE MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO MIGHT NOT BE IN INCLINED TO VOTE FOR POLICY.

THE FOCUS ON THAT SPEAKS TO WHO HE IS REALLY TRYING TO GET TO VOTE FOR HIM.

>> FUNDRAISING IS A PROBLEM.

BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY, TIM RYAN HAS NOT GOT MUCH NATIONAL MONEY COMPARED TO J.D.

VANCE, WHO IS GOT A LOT.

HE DOES NOT HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF IT IS A TALE OF TWO CAMPAIGNS THERE.

>> THAT IS BEEN A FOCUS OF A LOT OF DISCUSSION OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO.

WHETHER THEY WILL INVEST IN THIS RACE.

I'M SURE THEY ARE PUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO IT, BUT NOT NEARLY AS MUCH AS J.D.

VANCE IS GETTING HELP FROM THE SENATE REPUBLICANS, BUT ALSO PETER TEAL.

IT HAS BEEN A FACTOR FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE RACE.

>> YOU SAW TED CRUZ ON FRIDAY CAMPAIGNING FOR J.D.

VANCE.

DOES THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE RACE?

>> I WAS STRUCK BY THE BEAUTY AS HIM THAT THE CROWD THAT SAW CRUZ.

I AM NOT AS SURE ABOUT THINGS LIKE TIM SCOTT AND TOM COTTON IN COLUMBUS ON THURSDAY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT REALLY GETS PEOPLE TO VOTE EXACTLY.

I THINK IT GENERATE SOCIAL MEDIA ATTENTION.

I IMAGINE THERE IS FUNDRAISING HAPPENING ON THE SITE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

MORE THAN ANYTHING, I'VE USED AS THESE CANDIDATES TRYING TO BUILD A NATIONAL PROFILE.

>> JOE MANCHIN IS COMING IN.

LINDSEY GRAHAM.

>> THIS A LOT ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS AND ALLIANCES WITH OTHER NATIONAL POLITICIANS.

ALSO, THE CAMPAIGN GATHER DATA FROM PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE TO GET IN THE RALLY.

THAT HELPS TO TURN UP THE VOTE EFFORT.

>> ONE OF RYAN'S HOPES IS THAT HE CAN WIN A HIGHER SHARE OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTE THAT A DEMOCRAT CAN TYPICALLY WIN.

THE ONLY WAY THAT HE CAN DO THAT IS TO HAVE J.D.

VANCE SEEN AS TOO MUCH OF A TRUMP SUPPORTER OR TOO EXTREME.

IN SOME WAYS, THESE CANDIDATES COMING IN, REALLY HELP BRING THE BASE TOGETHER.

I THINK A LOT OF REPUBLICANS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY WHO ARE SAYING, HE HASN'T SOURCED BY TED CRUZ AND TOM COTTON, YOU KNOW, THAT DOES NOT SELL WITH THEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN IS WHAT PERCENT OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTE IS RYAN GETTING AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE DEMOCRATIC VOTE IS VANCE GETTING.

>> C TO OUR NEXT COMP IT.

THAT STRATEGY SEEMS TO BE WORKING, THE TWO PULLED OUT THIS WEEK SHOWED THE WINE WITH A 20 POINT LEAD.

THE COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN CLUB SPONSORED A DISCUSSION WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES.

DeWINE DID NOT SHOW.

>> I HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT THE FIRST THING WE WOULD DO ONCE WE ARE ELECTED IS TO WORK TO PUT ROE IN THE OHIO CONSTITUTION SO BE CODIFIED AND NO EXTREMIST CAN TAKE AWAY A RIGHT THAT WE HAD THAT MY MOTHER FOUGHT FOR, THAT MY NIECE DOES NOT HAVE.

THIS IS THE POSITION OF THE MAJORITY OF OHIOANS.

OVER 60% OF OHIOANS WANT ROE V. WADE.

LET ME BE CLEAR WHO FOLKS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ABORTION DISCUSSION.

ROE HAS LIMIT.

THOSE WERE THE LIMITS AROUND VIABILITY THAT WERE THE LAW OF THE LAND, MY ENTIRE LIFE UNTIL THE SUMMER.

THAT IS WHAT OHIO WOMEN DESERVE.

THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD FIGHT FOR.

THAT IS WHAT THE MAJORITY OF OHIOANS BELIEVE.

>> OF COURSE MIKE DeWINE.

OPPOSES ABORTION RIGHTS.

HERB ASHER, ONE THING I NOTICED --TWO THINGS I'VE NOTICED.

THEY HAVE REALLY SHARPENED HER MESSAGE AND THEY'RE ONLY 60 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

MANY MORE PEOPLE WATCHING ONLINE, BUT ONLY 60 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM >> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REALIZED THAT NAN WHALEY IS NOT GOING TO WIN.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORLD THAT CAN CHANGE THE DYNAMICS RIGHT NOW.

WHEN NAN WHALEY RAN INITIALLY, SHE WAS HOPING FOR CORRUPTION AND HOPING FOR MORE INDICTMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID THIS RACE IS OVER.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, I HEARD HER EARLIER IN THE CAMPAIGN AND SHE HAS BECOME A MUCH BETTER CANDIDATE.

>> SHE IS LEANING INTO THE WAS ONE OF MANY.

NOW IT SEEMS TO BE THAT IS WHERE SHE IS FOCUSING.

THAT IS WHERE HER ADS ARE LATELY.

SHE WAS CHAMPING HER RIGHTS ON THAT WITH HER VIEWS ON THAT.

>> NEARLY ALL OF HER ADS ARE FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE.

SHE IS LEANING INTO A PARTICULAR CASE THAT HAPPENED OUT OF COLUMBUS WHERE A 10-YEAR- OLD OBTAINED AN ABORTION IN INDIANA, A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

THE ACCUSER --THE DEFENDANT IN THAT CASE WAS LATER CHARGED.

THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT ALL DEMOCRATS ARE LEANING INTO, BUT CERTAINLY TRAGEDY FOR IS IN HER ADS AS WELL.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL HAVE BROAD SUPPORT FROM VOTERS TO UNSEAT AN INCUMBENT WITH A FUNDRAISING AND NAME RECOGNITION ADVANTAGE.

THAT IS NOT JUST LIKELY AT THIS POINT.

>> IF SOMEONE IS DROWNING, WE THROW THEM A LIFE RING.

SHE IS METAPHORICALLY POLITICALLY DROWNING.

THIS IS A LETTER LIFE RING.

SHE HAS LOST THE THREAT.

IT AFFECTS PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

SHE IS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

>> HALF THE POPULATION IS LEMON.

IT IS REALLY GAINED AN IMPORTANCE, I THINK IT IS UP TO CLOSE TO 19% SAY IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN THE ELECTION.

IT IS DEFINITELY DIFFERENT THAN AND HAVE BEEN IN CYCLES PAST.

>> EVERYTHING WHO WAS ANGRY ABOUT THAT, THEY KNEW WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PARTY SPECTRUM BEFORE DOBBS WAS HANDED DOWN.

THE ONLY ARGUMENT THEY CAN MAKE IS THAT WE WILL TURN OUT MORE OF THEM, BUT TO TURN OUT SOMEONE ON ANGER THEY'VE GOT TO BE ANGRY EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WHAT MAKES YOU EVERY EVERY SINGLE DAY?

GROCERY, GAS, NOT BEING ABLE TO GET PARTS FOR YOUR CAR --THAT IS WHAT WILL DRIVE TURNOUT.

>> ANDREW, GOVERNOR DeWINE IS FOCUSED ON JOBS.

THAT IS THE FOCUS OF HIS ADS WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOUSTON IT.

INFLATION IS HIGH AND HE IS GOVERNOR.

TIM RYAN GETS BLAMED FOR INFLATION, BUT 19 DOES NOT READ MIKE DeWINE CAN SAY LOOK AT THE DOBBS.

TIM RYAN DOES NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE JOBS.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT POLLING.

OHIO IS PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

THESE NATIONAL ISSUES DO AFFECT THIS YEAR.

IT REMINDS ME A LITTLE BIT IN 2012 WHEN MITT ROMNEY WAS TRYING TO SEE HOW BAD THINGS WERE IN OHIO.

AT THE SAME TIME JOHN CASES WAS TOUTING HOW GREAT THEY WERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY VOTERS ATTEND TO SIGN BLAME TO ONE PERSON.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MORE INFLUENCE ON POLICY ECONOMICALLY.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

THAT WAS THE CASE WITH OBAMA RECOVERY.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> TIM RYAN HAS TO COMMIT VOTERS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS THAT HE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB.

WE ARE IN A LONG TREK ENVIRONMENT.

THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER MARKS GROUCHO, USED TO SAY, WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BELIEVE?

>> MIKE DeWINE HAS BEEN HERE >> HE IS A MUCH MORE DURABLE BRAND THAN TIM RYAN.

HE HAS VERY LITTLE STATEWIDE NOTE.

DeWINE IS THE MOST DURABLE BRAND SINCE TIM RHODES.

>> IT APPEARS OHIO VOTERS ARE ENTHUSED BY THIS ELECTION.

EARLY VOTING BEGAN ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO.

MORE PEOPLE ARE VOTING EARLY THEN VOTED EARLY FOUR YEARS AGO --WHEN RACES ARE MORE COMPETITIVE.

EARLY IN AS A TEAM VOTING IS ABOUT 3%.

THE PACE OF EARLY IN PERSON VOTING IS UP 74%.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS REQUESTS ARE FLAT, MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE DOWN.

MARK WEAVER, CAN REREAD INTO THIS?

10 DAYS IN AND ENTHUSIASM SEEMS TO BE THERE.

>> THERE IS A STORY COMING OUT ON THIS.

EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT.

IT SUGGESTS REPUBLICANS ARE MORE ENERGIZED.

WE SEE THAT IN A LOT OF PLACES.

LET US REMEMBER WE'D ONLY BE ABSENTEE VOTING IN OHIO FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A DECADE.

EVERY CYCLE IT GETS MORE POPULAR AND PEOPLE FIGURE OUT THERE IS A SUBSET OF REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS SOMETHING KINKY ABOUT EARLY VOTING.

WHETHER THAT IS TRUE OR NOT, IS NOT IMPORTANT.

IF THEY THINK IT, THEY WON'T DO IT.

THAT MAY BE A DRAG ON SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN ERRANDS, NOT EARLY VOTING.

I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO READ TOO MUCH INTO SOMETHING THAT JUST MAY NOT BE THERE.

I THINK THE EARLY IN PERSON, TYPICALLY, IS HELPFUL TO DEMOCRATS.

THAT NUMBER IS HIGH.

THOSE MAY BE VOTE THAT THEY WOULD'VE GOTTEN NOW OR LATER, IT BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARY AN EXPANSION OF THE POOL OF VOTES IN THE END.

>> WHEN YOU COMPARE 2018 -- THE LAST TIME WE HAD A GOVERNOR RACE ON THE BALLOT AND THIS ONE -- ENTHUSIASM IS BETTER NOW.

>> WHAT I AM SEEING, IF YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTIES, THE EARLY VOTE REQUESTS ARE DOWN AROUND NINE OR 10% IN BOTH FREQUENT COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES.

IF YOU ARE DEMOCRAT, YOU NEED TO DO WELL IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING.

I GET THE PROBLEM, IF YOU LOOK AT 2018, EARLY VOTING WAS UP 50% TO COVER TWO 2014.

THAT TRUCK WITH HIGHER TURNOUT IN THE COUNTY.

THERE PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER YOU ARE CATALYZING YOUR ELECTION DAY VOTE.

IT IS HARD TO TELL WHO IS REQUESTING THE BALLOT DEMOCRATS --THERE IS A PORTION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO LIKE TO SKIP THE POLLS WHERE THEY GET CHURCHES, ORGANIZE AND GO VOTE.

THERE'S THINGS LIKE THAT THAT MAKE IT A COMPLICATED STORY.

I THINK I WOULD RATHER HAVE THAT REQUEST DOWN 10% --I BE HAPPY WITH THAT.

>> I LIKE WORKING FROM HOME.

WE'VE ALL GOTTEN USED TO A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE.

IN 2020 MANY OF US VOTED EARLY BECAUSE OF COVID.

MAYBE PEOPLE HAVE FALLEN INTO A NEW HABIT.

GETTING BACK TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE DRIVING PEOPLE TO THE POLLS.

THE ECONOMY IS NUMBER ONE.

THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES HERE.

THREATS TO DEMOCRACY IS NOT LISTED AS A MOTIVATOR BACK BEFORE 2021.

ABORTION IS ON THE BALLOT, DIFFERENT ISSUE NOW BECAUSE THE DOBBS DECISION.

>> THREATS TO DEMOCRACY ARE SUCH AN ENIGMA TO ME.

IT MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT PENDING ON YOUR POLITICAL PERSUASION.

IT IS THE JANUARY 6th CAPITAL RIOTS.

MAYBE IT IS REDISTRICTING GOING ON THE WAY THAT YOU THOUGHT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RUN.

MAYBE IT IS VOTING OR CONCERNS ABOUT VOTING.

IT IS A FASCINATING TOPIC THAT IT HAS RAISED SO MUCH ON THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS VERY HARD TO NAIL DOWN WITH ACTUALLY MEANS.

>> THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE POLLSTERS WOULD FOLLOW UP AND ASKED REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE SENT THREATS TO DEMOCRACY IS AN ISSUE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

THEY MEAN THAT ELECTIONS ARE STOLEN -- MANY WOULD SAY THAT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PARTISAN ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH THE PRESIDENT'S ENEMY >> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO NOTE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THERE OR ARE THEY SAYING, NO, WE THINK THINGS ARE GOING A LITTLE TOO FAR.

THE BIG LIE IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

THERE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE NOT ON THE FAR RIGHT.

FOR THE REPUBLICANS WHO WIND UP SAYING, THAT THREATS TO DEMOCRACY WE EACH HAVE DIFFERENT KIND OF MEETING THE PEOPLE ARE SIGNING.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY THREATS TO DEMOCRACY?

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE BIG LIES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT -- >> IT IS WHEN TRUMP STOLE THE ELECTION WITH THE HELP OF THE RUSSIANS.

THAT WAS RIDICULOUS.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF IT.

LIKE JESSE SAID, IT IS AN INC.

BLOCKED.

>> HILLARY CLINTON DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE ELECTION.

>> SHE SURE DIDN'T.

ANYBODY WHO SAYS THE ELECTION -- >> SHE SAID I CONGRATULATE DONALD TRUMP.

THEN SHE RAN AROUND IMPLIED THAT THE RUSSIANS DID THIS.

SO WHEN DONALD TRUMP SAYS THAT HE WON, THEN WE CAN COMPARE.

>> WHAT I'M SAYING IS, SAYING THAT THE RUSSIANS HAD ANYTHING TO DO THE ALCHEMIST 2016 IS A LIE AS THE ELECTION OF 2020.

THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF BIAS IN THE MEDIA IN 2020.

WE CAN HAVE A PRETTY GOOD EXPOSE OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES EFFORT TO DEFEAT DONALD TRUMP.

THERE HAS BEEN PLENTY OF DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE CLAIMED THAT SOMEHOW DONALD TRUMP WAS ILLEGITIMATE.

>> COVID IS STILL HERE, THE SPREAD IS LOW.

THE LATEST BOOSTER SHOTS SEEM TO BE WORKING WELL.

THE VIRUS IS STILL HERE AND DOCTORS MORE NEW VARIANTS COULD ARRIVE IN OHIO SOON.

YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE IS STILL HERE?

COVID MONEY --LOTS OF IT.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH REPORTS TWO YEARS AFTER THE START OF PANDEMIC AND THE FLOOD OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, ALL STYLE OHIO STILL HAS $10 MILLION LEFT THAT IS A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF AND $26 BILLION THE STATE RECEIVED.

WHILE SPENT A LOT OF IT ON COVID HEALTH PROGRAMS, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION.

SOME MONEY REPAID ON EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THE LOMA STATE HAD.

SOMEBODY WENT TO POLICE AND SOME HELP PAY FOR WATER PLANT FOR THE INTEL PROJECT.

JESSIE BALMERT, MOST OF THE STATE 'S COVID RELATED EXPENSES ARE GONE NOW.

IF YOU WATCH MIKE DeWINE, THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL.

IS THERE ANY TALK OF GIVING THAT $10 MILLION BACK?

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO FIND A WAY TO SPEND IT.

THIS IS THE EAR OF JOHN KASICH RETURNING THE MONEY FOR THE RAIL.

THIS IS MONEY THAT REPUBLICANS MIGHT NOT HAVE VOTED FOR.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DOING WITH OUR ECONOMY, BUT THEY ARE FINDING WAYS TO SPEND IN MIKE DEWINE'S CASEY IS GOING AROUND THE STATE AND HEADING OUT CHECKS TO VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH THIS MONEY.

IT IS INTERESTING HOW MUCH WE HAVE LEFT THAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING WE HAVE SEEN AT THIS SO FAR.

IT IS BASICALLY PAYING THE FEDS BACK FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION, THE LOAN THAT WE ASKED FOR THEIR MONEY.

AND WE GIVE THEIR MONEY BACK TO THEM.

THAT WAS INNOVATIVE.

THERE IS TALK ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC, ANDREW.

HOW TO DO THIS DIFFERENTLY.

HAVE BETTER TIES TO THE MONEY.

YOU CANNOT SPEND ON WATER PLANTS.

YOU GOT TO DO IT ON THINGS THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY THAT WAS INTENDED FOR.

>> THAT ASSUMES PEOPLE ARE PLANNING AHEAD AS OPPOSED TO REACTING TO THINGS.

I CANNOT IMAGINE.

PEOPLE DISCUSS THIS ON THE FRONT END AND THEY REALIZE THAT STATES WOULD DO ALL KIND OF THINGS WITH IT.

THEY SPECIFICALLY SAID THEY COULD NOT CUT TAXES.

THAT WAS STRUCK DOWN IN COURT, THERE WERE SOME RESTRICTIONS INCLUDING PENSION FUNDS TOO AND I THINK THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT STATES WOULD HAVE BROUGHT FLEXIBLE IT IS TO SPEND IT ON WHAT THEY WANTED.

THERE IS A EFFICIENCY ARGUMENT.

WE SEE THAT WE HAVE ALL THIS MONEY LEFT OVER.

THE BILLIONS ARE EASY TO LOSE THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT OHIO RECEIVED WAS EQUIVALENT TO ALMOST $11,000 PER OHIO AND.

IT IS SO MUCH MONEY.

THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING $11,000 CHECK.

WHAT WOULD THAT DO FOR SOMEONE WITH THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD.

IT IS STRIKING TO ME THAT THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THAT.

>> THE FEDS TOWARD A TON OF MONEY TO ALL THE STATES.

PART OF THIS WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY JUST DID NOT COLLAPSE.

THEN THERE ARE OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT SENDS A LOT OF MONEY IN.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE SUCH INFLATION RIGHT NOW, NOT THE ONLY REASON, BUT THE FEDS ACTUALLY PRESERVE THE ECONOMY AND PRESERVE JOBS.

THERE IS AN INTERESTING THING HERE.

MONEY THAT REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST --WHERE THERE WAS LEGISLATION.

THIS IS AWFUL.

WE VOTE AGAINST THIS AND THEN YOU HAVE MONEY FROM THOSE SAME DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING SPEND TO GROUNDBREAKING'S -- IS EVEN HAVE THE TAX POLICY.

THERE IS MONEY WELL SPENT.

>> PEOPLE WARNED THAT THERE ARE NO RULES FOR THIS AT THE TIME.

>> THROWING MONEY AT THE PROBLEM ALMOST NEVER SOLVES THE PROBLEM.

NOW WE ARE SEEING A RETRACTION AND WORSENING INFLATION AND PEOPLE PAY MORE IN THEIR HOME MORTGAGES.

THIS WILL HAVE DECADES OF REPERCUSSIONS.

>> THEY WERE RETURN THE MONEY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION.

AND FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY THERE IS IN THE 50 STATES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SENT.

SAY, IT IS COVID MONEY AND THE COVID ISSUE IS TAKING CARE OF.

LET US GIVE THE MONEY BACK.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE THE MONEY BACK.

WHY WON'T THEY?

THEY KNOW THAT SPENDING MONEY AND HAVING A GROUNDBREAKING AND HANDING OUT CHECKS AND ALL THAT IN AN ELECTION YEAR IS A GOOD THING.

>> IT WAS STOLEN.

FRAUD WAS OFF THE CHARTS.

HOW DO WE GET THAT MONEY BACK THERE IS SO MUCH OF IT.

>> THAT IS A BIGGER PROBLEM.

THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER TO THAT.

WE SAW THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM WAS ANTIQUATED.

MY WIFE HAD HER UNAPPOINTED CLAIM FILED IN HER NAME.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE SOLUTION IS BECAUSE I'M NOT IN CHARGE OF THAT, BUT IT IS A PROBLEM.

>> SOME PARTING SHOTS.

MARK WEAVER, EUROPE FIRST.

>> I HAD A PIECE IN THE WASHINGTON POST TWO WEEKS AGO.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE, TRUMP VOTERS, WHO WILL NOT TALK TO POLLSTERS.

ALL THESE POLLS YOU ARE READING ARE UNDER REPRESENTING THE TRUMP BASE BY FORCE FIVE POINTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, HERB ASHER.

>> I THINK THE BIG LIE ABOUT ELECTION FRAUD AND HOW BAD OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS IS BEGINNING TO BOTHER MORE AND MORE PEOPLE IN TERMS OF LONG- RANGE CONSEQUENCES.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE VARIOUS GROUPS SAYING, LESS ABOUT THE POLICY WITH OUR COMPANY, OUR LABOR UNION, OR PRIVATE GROUP OR WHATEVER --DO NOT ENDORSE CANDIDATES WHO ENDORSE THE BIG LIE.

>> WE WILL SEE.

ANDREW, YOU CAN GO.

>> I GUESS I WILL GO THE KLEVEN GUARDIANS HAD A NICE SEASON.

THEY ACHIEVED EXPECTATIONS AND I AM HAPPY WITH THAT.

NOW I'M EXCITED THAT CLEVELAND CAVALIERS HAS STARTED THEIR SEASON >> THE BROWNS?

>> I DID NOT MENTION THEM.

>> JESSIE.

>> THEY SUSPENDED ADJUST FOR RUNNING HER COURTROOM LIKE A GAME SHOW.

>> SHE HAD ALL KIND OF KNICKKNACKS.

>> SHE HAD A BASKETBALL UNIFORM ON THE BENCH.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SELECTION AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING THE ISSUES ON THE BOW, CHECK OUT THE VOTER GUIDE IT IS ON HER WEBSITE, WOSU.ORG/COTR.

IT IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK, WE WILL PUT MARK'S ARTICLE ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN WATCH US ON DEMAND ANY TIME AT OUR WEBSITE, WOSU.ORG/COTR.

AND ON THE PBS APP.

I AM MIKE THOMPSON, HAVE A GOOD WEEK.