PRESIDENT BIDEN TOUTS HIS ECONOMIC PLAN AND THE ABORTION DEBATE MOVES TO STATE SUPREME COURTS.

♪♪ >> Announcer: JOINING US ON COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD THIS WEEK ANN FISHER, HOST OF "ALL SIDES WITH ANN FISHER" ON 89-7 NPR NEWS; DESIREE TIMS, PRESIDENT OF INNOVATION OHIO; AND MARK WEAVER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

WITH INFLATION, INTEREST RATES AND GAS PRICES HITTING DECADES OLD HIGHS, AND HIS APPROVAL RATING DROPPING BELOW 40, JOE BIDEN IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF HIS FIRST TERM.

THIS WEEK HE BROUGHT HIS MESSAGE TO UNION MEMBERS IN CLEVELAND.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION LOST MORE JOBS ON ITS WATCH THAN ANY ADMINISTRATION SINCE HERBERT HOOVER.

THAT'S A FACT.

ALL BASED ON FAILED TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS THAT BENEFITTED THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS AND HIT THE MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING PEOPLE THE HARDEST.

BUT WE CAME IN WITH A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT ECONOMIC VISION: AN ECONOMY THAT GROWS FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND THE MIDDLE OUT.

IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE WHEN THE MIDDLE CLASS DOES WELL, THE POOR HAVE A LADDER UP AND THE WEALTHY STILL DO VERY WELL.

THE PRESIDENT'S CASE WAS BOLSTERED BY THE JUNE JOBS REPORT.

THE ECONOMY ADDED 372,000 JOBS AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STANDS AT 3.6 PERCENT.

IT'S A GLASS HALF FULL, GLASS HALF EMPTY.

THE ECONOMY HAS CREATED RECORD NUMBERS OF JOBS.

BUT WE ARE SEEING RECORD INFLATION.

WHICH DO VOTERS CARE ABOUT AS THEY HEAD TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

OBVIOUSLY THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR POCKETBOOKS AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO SHELL OUT RIGHT NOW.

BUT THE FACT THAT THE JOB NUMBERS ARE SO GOOD MEANS THEY PROBABLY COULD AFFORD TO SHELL IT OUT VERSUS A BAD JOBS REPORT, RIGHT?

MORE OF THEM CAN AFFORD IT.

I THINK ALL IN ALL RIGHT NOW THERE HAS BEEN LOTS OF RECESSION SCARE TALK AND THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT AS IT STANDS NOW, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY, YOU KNOW, INEVITABLE.

SO I THINK ALSO THE ELECTION IS HOW MANY MONTHS AWAY, RIGHT?

THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, TOO.

>> DESIREE TIMS, WAGES HAVE INCREASED 5%, BUT INFLATION IS AT 8%.

WE'RE LOSING GROUND.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHEN I TALK TO MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF GROCERIES AND RENT AND GAS.

WE KNOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS, WOING HARD TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT WILL HELP THESE FAMILIES EARN MORE MONEY AND KEEP MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET.

BUT ALSO, THERE HAVE BEEN BILLS INTRODUCED BY DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS THAT WOULD PUNISH CORPORATIONS FOR PRICE GOUGING THAT WE HAVE YET TO SEE PASSED THROUGH THE CHAMBER.

THAT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

AND, SO, WE NEED REPUBLICANS TO JUMP ONBOARD IN ORDER TO HELP AMERICANS AFFORD THEIR BILLS AND THE HIGH COSTS THAT WE ALL ARE EXPERIENCING.

NOT JUST HERE IN AMERICA BUT AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WE BRING BACK ALL THE JOBS WE LOST IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

IS IT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING MORE MONEY THROUGH THEIR PAYCHECKS?

WAGING ARE INCLUDING AND THE STIMULUS BREAKS TO THE MIDDLE CLASS.

THAT'S WHY WE HAD INFLATION?

>> WELL, INFLATION IS TOO MUCH MONEY CHASING TOO FEW GOODS.

SO IT'S CLASSIC INFLATION.

WE MIGHT BE IN ONE NOW.

WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL THE NEXT REPORT.

THE JOBS NUMBERS WERE UNOFFICIALLY LOW BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO THE JOB INCREASES IS REALLY GETTING US BACK TO NORMAL.

NEARLY EVERYONE I TALK TO IS WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

DEMOCRATS CONTROL CONGRESS.

THEY CONTROL THE WHITE HOUSE.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY UPSET.

THEY THINK WE'RE ON THE WRONG TRACK.

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S APPROVAL NUMBERS MUCH LOWER THAN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AT THIS TIME SUGGEST IT WILL BE A STRONG REPUBLICAN YEAR IN NOVEMBER.

>> I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT APPROVAL RATINGS FOR FIRST-TERM PRESIDENTS.

JIMMY CARTER WAS AT 28%.

REAGAN 35%.

W. BUSH IS 50%.

HE HIT THE HIGH MARK.

OBAMA 38%.

TRUMP 34%.

THIS IS PRETTY TYPICAL FIRST TWO YEARS OF A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT'S 30% NOW.

DEPENDING ON WHICH POLLS YOU LOOK AT -- DEPENDING ON WHICH ONE YOU LOOK AT, THAT'S THE AVERAGE.

IT IS TRENDING DOWNWARD AND HE'S NOT MADE A STRONG CASE.

AMERICANS DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HIM AND DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE LITTLE TO STEM THE PROBLEMS AMERICANS ARE FACING.

>> EVEN DEMOCRATS ARE FRUSTRATED HE'S NOT MAKING A BETTER CASE.

I THINK THE EVIDENCE IS THERE FOR HIM TO MAKE A BETTER CASE, BUT EVEN DEMOCRATS ARE FRUSTRATED THAT HE'S NOT COMING ACROSS FORCEFULLY ENOUGH WITH THE NUMBERS AND PUNCHING THEM OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

>> DESIREE TIMS, YOU MET HIM IN CLEVELAND.

HE GOT TO INFLATION, NEVER MENTIONED IT ONCE.

WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR HIM TO, FEEL OUR PAIN AS BILL CLINTON USED TO SAY AND TALK MORE ABOUT IT IN HIS SPEECH?

>> I KNOW SOME OF THE PUSHBACK ON PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMMUNICATION.

WE HEAR THAT EVERY OTHER WEEK, ESPECIALLY ON CONSERVATIVE CHANNELS ABOUT THE NEED FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MESSAGE BETTER ON THE WINS.

THE TRUTH IS DEMOCRATS HAVE DELIVERED ON THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT, MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAD ACCESS TO THE VACCINES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS WORKING ON LOWERING GAS PRICES.

I SAW ON TWITTER PEOPLE WERE CHEERING FOR THE UNLEADED PREMIUM GAS.

IT IS HAPPENING.

IT IS HAPPENING VERY SLOWLY.

THAT'S BECAUSE DEMOCRATS ARE FACING A LOT OF RESISTANCE.

REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO HELP OUT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LEAN IN ON THOSE POLL NUMBERS AND WIN IN NOVEMBER.

WE WILL NOT SEE THE BIPARTISANSHIP WE NEED, WHICH WILL HELP MORE PEOPLE.

>> DO REPUBLICANS BEAR SOME OF THE BURDEN HERE.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE NOT STEERING THE SHIP.

DEMOCRATS ARE.

"REUTERS" THIS WEEK REPORTED THAT MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF OIL THAT CAME FROM THE STRATEGIC OIL RESERVE WAS SOLD TO CHINA INSTEAD OF USED HERE IN AMERICA.

IT WAS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO TAP DOWN THAT RESERVE AND ALLOW THIS TO BE GIVEN TO CHINA.

GAS PRICES ARE ONE TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF A BAD SITUATION THAT JOE BIDEN HAS TO OWN.

>> TIM RYAN, THE CANDIDATE WAS NOT THERE IN CLEVELAND WITH THE PRESIDENT.

NOT THERE WITH THE PRESIDENT.

GETTING A SHOUT-OUT.

VERY TYPICAL.

THE PRESIDENT IS UNPOPULAR.

HE DOESN'T SHOW UP.

>> IT'S VERY TYPICAL.

IT CUTS BOTH WAYS.

IT HAPPENED A LOT DURING THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL GO-AROUND.

NO PROBLEM THERE.

>> THERETO, THERE HAS BEEN SOME CRITICISM OF DEMOCRATS THAT THEY ARE FOCUSSING ON TOO MANY THINGS, GUNS, REDIRECTING, YOU NAME IT.

BIDEN'S SPEECH WAS FOCUSSED.

IT WAS VERY FOCUSSED ON THE ECONOMY.

WAS THAT A BETTER COMMUNICATION STRATEGY?

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAPPENED IN AKRON.

THE WORKER SHOOTING MADE NATIONAL NEWS.

MY HEART BREAKS FOR THE FAMILY.

60 ROUNDS FIRED INTO HIS BODY.

FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO BE LESS THAN 60 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE IT HAPPENED, HE DEFINITELY NEEDED TO ADDRESS IT.

THAT WAS A SMART AND SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> HE DIDN'T GET INTO ANYTHING ELSE.

HE STUCK TO THE ECONOMY.

>> HE STUCK TO THE ECONOMY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN TERMS OF POLLING.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

BUT WE SAW RIGHT AFTER THAT, JUST TODAY PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REVERSING AS MUCH AS HE POSSIBLY AND LEGALLY CAN SOME OF WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS DONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IN MANY STATES LIKE OHIO THE FIGHT OVER ABORTION WILL MOVE TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EVENTUALLY THE VOTERS.

BUT FOR NOW, THE BATTLES ARE IN THE STATE SUPREME COURTS.

THE OHIO SUPREME COURT IS CONSIDERING A LAWSUIT FILED BY THE ACLU AND ABORTION PROVIDERS.

IT SAYS OHIO'S CONSTITUTION PROTECTS A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

LAST WEEK THE SUPREME COURT REJECTED, THE OHIO SUPREME COURT, REJECTED A CALL TO IMMEDIATELY HALT THE STATE'S SO-CALLED HEARTBEAT LAW, WHICH BANS ABORTION AFTER CARDIAC ACTIVITY IS DETECTED.

MARK WEAVER, THE COURT HAS NOT DISMISSED THE CASE, SO DOES THE OHIO CONSTITUTION PROVIDE ANY KIND OF CLEAR GUIDANCE ON THIS ISSUE?

>> IT DOESN'T.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ARGUMENT, IT'S RATHER FARFETCHED.

IT HAD TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE INSURANCE.

HEALTH CARE INSURANCE IS HOW WE PAY FOR HEALTH CARE.

ABORTION IS SOMETHING MUCH DIFFERENT.

I THINK IT IS CLEAR THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES SAID IN DOBBS THIS IS AN ISSUE AMERICAN THEMSELVES CAN DECIDE BY ELECTING LEGISLATORS WHO SHARE THEIR VIEWS.

I WELCOME THAT DEBATE IN OHIO AND THE OTHER STATE CAPITOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> THEY SAY DUE PROCESS, RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

AND THEY MENTION THIS THING WHICH THE LANGUAGE OF IT SAYS HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE.

AGAIN, PERHAPS LESS THAN ARTFULLY WORDED AMENDMENT, WHICH CAN BE DIFFERENTS OF INTERPRETATION.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THEIR CASE?

>> I THINK THEY HAVE A STRONG CASE AND WE WILL SEE A LOT MORE TO COME FROM IT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A WOMAN IN THE DAYTON AREA DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND NEEDED CHEMOTHERAPY.

SHE HAD TO TRAVEL TO INDIANA FOR AN ABORTION.

THAT'S HEALTH CARE.

A WOMAN WHO WAS 12 YEARS OLD NEEDED AN ABORTION.

THERE ARE WOMEN AND PEOPLE WHO NEED ABORTIONS ALL THE TIME FOR HEALTH CARE REASONS OR FOR NOT.

IT HAS TO DEAL WITH SOMEONE'S BODY.

SO I THINK THERE WILL BE A STRONG ARGUMENT FOR THAT.

AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT IS CAUSING CONCERN FOR WOMEN IN TERMS OF PRIVACY WHERE THEY ARE BEING TOLD TO DELETE THEIR APPS THAT TRACK THEIR MENSTRUAL CYCLES BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TARGET IN FEAR OF, YOU KNOW, THEM ACCESSING ABORTION.

SO I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF LEGAL ARGUMENTS TO COME.

WE WILL SEE HOW ARTFUL THE LITIGATORS ARE, BUT WE WILL SEE MORE FROM ACLU AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND OTHER GROUPS.

>> I WAS CAUGHT BY SURPRISE THIS WAS MOVED TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THE LEGISLATURES WILL ACT IN PROTECTING ABORTION RIGHTS OR MAKING THEM ILLEGAL AND THEN THE VOTERS WILL EVENTUALLY DECIDE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A DETOUR.

I THINK THEY WILL TRY A LOT.

ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND BY THE WAY, THE OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS SO GERRYMANDERED AT THIS POINT THAT YOU CAN SAY THE VOTERS CAN PICK WHO THEY WANT, BUT THE FACT IS THE WAY IT STANDS NOW, LAWMAKERS AND CANDIDATES STILL PICK WHO GETS TO VOTE FOR THEM.

>> MARK, WHEN FEDERAL LAW, SHOULDN'T THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULE TRUMP A STATE COURT RULING?

>> NOT IN THIS CASE.

THEY SAID IT IS NOT A MATTER FOR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH TO DECIDE.

JUDICIAL BRANCHES ARE UNELECTED.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THEY ARE ELECTED.

THEY ARE NOT MEANT TO DO POLICY.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THAT'S WHERE WE DO POLICY.

I DISAGREE.

THEY COULD TURN ANY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, IF THEY'RE MAD ABOUT SOMETHING, AND EVERY TEN YEARS ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER ACCUSES THE OTHER OF GERRYMANDERING.

THIS IS OUR PROCESS.

IT IS A POLITICAL PROCESS.

IT HAS BEEN SINCE WE WERE FOUNDED.

>> IN 2011, THEY PASSED THE AMENDMENT THAT UNDERMINED OBAMACARE.

>> THIS IS A POLICY QUESTION.

IT IS A POLICY QUESTION JUST LIKE WHETHER WE HAVE THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE STATE OR WHETHER WE HAVE ANY VARIETY OF POLICY ISSUES.

STATE LEGISLATURES GET TO DECIDE.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

IS ABORTION HEALTH CARE?

IN OTHER CASES, THE MOTHER'S LIFE WAS IN DANGER.

>> SO WHEN WE SAW THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT GO BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TAKEAWAYS FROM THAT.

ONE BEING THAT THE AFFORDABLE ACT GUARANTEES A WOMEN'S PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

SO ABORTION CARE IS SOME SORT OF FORM OF PREVENTION.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL AND PREVENTION UNDER DOBBS IS A DECISION THAT CAME UNDER THAT.

BIRTH CONTROL IS AN ISSUE.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM BETWEEN THEIR DOCTOR, I THINK REPUBLICANS AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE ROOM WITH YOU.

THAT'S BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR.

THESE WERE ISSUED LITIGATED AND LITIGATED UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND WE WILL SEE THE SAME ARGUMENTS REAPPEAR NOW AFTER DOBBS AND THE STATE SUPREME COURTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IT ANTICIPATED THAT ARGUMENT AND COMPLETELY DISMISSED IT.

ONE COULD HAVE HIS OWN OPINION.

>> THEY'RE NOT THERE TO MAKE POLICY.

>> HAVE AN ABORTION.

IT'S NOT WHAT DOBB SAID.

DOBB SAID THE STATES DECIDE AND THE LEGISLATURES.

THE ABORTION ISSUE, ALONG WITH THE REDISTRICTING CONTROVERSY, HAS PUT A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THE UPCOMING RACES FOR OHIO SUPREME COURT.

THE COURT WILL HAVE A NEW CHIEF JUSTICE.

MAUREEN O'CONNOR CANNOT RUN AGAIN BECAUSE OF AGE LIMITS.

TWO SITTING JUSTICES ARE RUNNING TO REPLACE HER.

DEMOCRAT JENNIFER BRUNNER FACES REPUBLICAN SHARON KENNEDY.

IN ANOTHER RACE, INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN PAT FISCHER FACES DEMOCRAT AND APPEALS COURT JUDGE TERRI JAMISON AND REPUBLICAN JUSTICE PAT DEWINE, THE GOVERNOR'S SON, FACES DEMOCRAT AND APPEALS COURT JUDGE MARILYN ZAYAS.

IS THIS THE BIGGEST CASE?

>> I THINK IT IS THE BIGGEST.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY ONE RACE IS BIGGER THAN THE OTHER, BUT I DO THINK THAT THE SUPREME COURT RACE IS A VERY IMPORTANT RACE.

AND WE HAVE THREE WOMEN RUNNING ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN AND PEOPLE AROUND THIS STATE TO ALLOW THEIR VOICES TO BE HEARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUE LIKE ROE.

WE'RE SEEING SOME VERY EXTREME LEGISLATION COME FROM THE MAGA REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT DOES THREATEN ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION, THAT DOES THREATEN ACCESS TO BILL REFORM.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING ALL IN, AND ONCE THEY HAVE THE STATE SUPREME COURT, IF THEY ARE ABLE TO CONTROL THE COURTS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL LIKE THEY HAVE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL UNDER TRUMP, WE ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING.

>> AND WHATEVER ENDS UP THE SUPREME COURT AFTER THE ELECTION WILL BE THE ONE TO DECIDE THE NEXT ROUND OF THE REDIRECTING ISSUES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

AND THAT'S CRITICAL.

>> DEMOCRATS RUN THE TABLE, AT LEAST WITH TWO OF THESE SEATS, AT LEAST TWO OF THE THREE THAT WERE UP.

IF JENNIFER LOSES, SHE WILL RETAIN HER SEAT.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME OHIOANS WILL KNOW WHO IS A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT.

THAT WILL BE THEM ACKNOWLEDGING THIS IS A BETTER WAY TO GO, TO HAVE CANDIDATES SUPPORTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHO THESE CANDIDATES ARE.

ONE SHORT LITTLE WAY OF KNOWING IS WHAT PARTY THEY'RE AFFILIATED WITH.

OF COURSE EVERYONE SHOULD DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

BUT FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THESE TURN OUT NOW THAT WE HAVE PARTY LABELS ATTACHED.

>> OFTEN HAPPENS FIRST ELECTION AFTER A PRESIDENT IS ELECTED FROM A DIFFERENT PARTY.

DOES THAT HURT DEMOCRATS' CHANCES TO HAVE THOSE Rs AND Ds ON THE BALLOTS?

>> IT DEFINITELY DOES.

IT WAS VERY INTENTIONAL AND A GOOD TACTIC AMONG REPUBLICANS TO ATTACH PARTY LABELS BECAUSE THEY WERE TIRED OF THE DEMOCRATS WINNING ALL THE DEMOCRATIC RACES.

>> THAT'S AN IRISH NAME.

>> THEY ADDED PARTY LABELS NEXT TO THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN OTHER STATES, WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE IT, IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

I'M A DEMOCRAT, SO I CAN SAY THAT.

>> AND PAT DeWINE IS ON THE BALLOT.

MIKE DeWINE HAS FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY OUT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK ANOTHER INTERESTING CHANGE THAT WILL BE THE LOCATION ON THE BALLOT IN THE SUPREME COURT RACES APPEAR AT THE TOP OR CLOSE TO THE TOP, MUCH HIGHER UP THAN THEY USUALLY ARE.

MAYBE THE CLOSER THEY ARE TO THE GOVERNOR RACE IT MAY AFFECT -- IT MAY HAVE MORE OF AN IMPACT, BUT I'M NOT SURE.

>> WHAT ARE REPUBLICAN JUSTICES GOING TO RUN ON?

I KNOW THEY CAN'T TALK ABOUT HOW THEY WILL RULE ON A CASE.

IF THE ECONOMY IS NUMBER ONE, THEY WILL BE PRO BUSINESS OR WE WANT THE ECONOMY IN OHIO TO KEEP IMPROVING OR WHATEVER?

ARE THEY GOING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON ABORTION OR ISSUES?

>> CANDIDATES IN THE COURT INCLUDING PAT DeWINE OVER THE YEARS, SO NO SECRETS TO REVEAL, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WILL SEE THEM RUNNING THE WAY A LEGISLATIVE PANEL RUNS.

I THINK THE BOND ISSUE THAT'S ON THE BALLOT FOR THE STATE CONSTITUTION IS FAIR GAME.

THEY'RE ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

THEY'RE ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SORT OF COURT TO HAVE AS FAR AS THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURT.

THEY WILL STICK TO THEIR LANE.

>> AND THEY WILL LET SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS SUPPORTING THE REPUBLICANS OR THE DEMOCRATS, MOST RECENTLY A GROUP OF PRO-BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS SAID THAT THEY SUPPORTED THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

THEY WILL LET THEM DO THE TALKING FOR THEM.

>> DOES PAT DeWINE'S LAST NAME HELP HIM?

HURT HIM?

>> PROBABLY A WASH.

HE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED CANDIDATE IN HIS OWN RIGHT.

MIKE DeWINE IS GOING TO WIN GOVERNOR PROBABLY BY DOUBLE HITS, SO I DON'T THINK IT HURTS PAT DeWINE.

>> OKAY.

OUR LAST ISSUE.

BAIL REFORM WILL BE AN ISSUE IN THE OHIO SUPREME COURT RACES.

AND OHIOANS WILL VOTE ON A PROPOSED BAIL REFORM AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.

THE AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW JUDGES TO CONSIDER PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE ACCUSED'S CRIMINAL RECORD WHEN SETTING BAIL.

THE AMENDMENT CAME ABOUT AFTER THE OHIO SUPREME COURT RULED JUDGES CANNOT CONSIDER THE DANGEROUSNESS OF THE DEFENDANT WHEN SETTING BAIL.

THERE ARE BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD REQUIRE JUDGES TO SET NO CASH BAIL IF THE ACCUSED IS NOT A FLIGHT RISK OR NOT A SAFETY RISK.

THIS GOES TO THE BASIC PURPOSE OF BAIL.

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY JUDGES PUT A MONETARY AMOUNT BEFORE THEY BIND YOU OVER FOR TRIAL?

>> THAT'S SO YOU WILL COME BACK FOR TRIAL.

THAT'S TO GET YOU TO COME BACK.

IF YOU DON'T, THEN THE BONDMEN OR WHOEVER PUT YOU UP TO MONEY IS, YOU KNOW, OUT.

THAT IS THE REASON WHY BAIL IS SET.

IT HAS BEEN USED FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES NOW.

AND MOSTLY HARMING LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE PROCESS.

BUT ABSOLUTELY THE CORE ISSUE OF WHAT IT WAS FOR WAS TO GET THE ACCUSED BACK TO COURT.

>> MARK, THERE IS A CASE IN COLUMBUS OR PRETTY RECENTLY.

IT WAS A MURDER UP IN THE DUBLIN AREA.

A MAN SHOT IN THE CASE OF SHOOTING ANOTHER MAN.

HE APPARENTLY CALLED THE POLICE THEMSELVES AND TURNED HIMSELF IN.

HE WAS GRANTED $50,000 BY THE JUDGE.

HE PUT UP $5,000 AND HE WAS RELEASED.

HE HAD TO PUT UP 10% FOR THE BAIL BONDSMAN.

HE WAS ACCUSED OF THREATENING WITNESSES.

BAIL WAS REVOKED.

HE WAS IN CUSTODY.

DID THE SYSTEM WORK THERE?

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE TO GIVE JUDGES THE INDIVIDUAL DISCRETION.

ANOTHER RECENT CASE, WE HAD A GUY SHOOTING ON STATE 71, RANDOMLY SHOOTING AT CARS ON A BUSY AFTERNOON.

UNDER THE CURRENT RULING BY THE SUPREME COURT, THE VERY NEXT DAY, IF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY PUT UP ENOUGH MONEY, HE WOULD BE BACK ON THE STREET.

BUT THE JUDGE IN THAT CASE SAID, IF YOU ARE SHOOTING UP I-71 TODAY, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A GOOD TO LET YOU GO TOMORROW.

YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD BE A FACTOR.

>> DO YOU SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION OR THIS AMENDMENT?

>> I THINK IT VIOLATES DUE PROCESS.

WHEN WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEHIND BARS IN OHIO.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME, BUT THEY'RE STILL SITTING IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BAIL THEMSELVES OUT.

THEIR FAMILIES DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

SO THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR JOBS.

THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOSE RIGHTS TO THEIR CHILDREN.

SO MUCH IS LOST.

AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE OFTEN BLACK, BROWN AND POOR.

SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHO CAN AFFORD TO BAIL THEMSELVES OUT, THEY'RE OFTEN WEALTHIER FAMILIES AND WHITE MEN.

SO I DO THINK -- WELL, I AGREE TO SOME EXTENT WITH JUDICIAL DISCRETION.

THERE ALSO HAS TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL FOLLOWINGS OF THE DUE PROCESS.

>> AND AS FAR AS THE JUDICIAL DISCRETION GOES, ONCE THEY CALL FOR THIS IN THE CONSTITUTION, THE JUDGES HAVE TO CONSIDER PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN SETTING BAIL, IS IT A GUT FEELING?

IS IT JUST SOMEBODY SAYING HE WAS OUT THERE SHOOTING PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY I THINK.

I DON'T THINK EVERYTHING IS AS CLEAR-CUT AS THAT PARTICULAR CASE IS.

I THINK REFERENCES WOULD BE REQUIRED GOING TO YOUR DUE PROCESS POINT.

>> HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE CURRENT PROCEDURE WHICH ALLOWS FOR A HEARING ON DANGEROUSNESS.

>> THEY CAN PUT ON THE RECORD FACTORS THE JUDGE CAN CONSIDER AND A GOOD JUDGE WILL PUT ON THE RECORD WHY HE OR SHE IS RULING THAT WAY.

WE HAVE TO TRUST JUDGES BECAUSE EVERY CASE IS INDIVIDUAL AND WE WANT THE JUDGES TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.

>> BUT THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS' ASSOCIATION IN OHIO SAY ONE OF THE REASONS THEY LIKE THE WAY IT IS NOW THEY CAN JUST BY PASS THAT.

THAT'S A LOT OF -- A WHOLE OTHER LAYER OF DECISION-MAKING AT THAT LEVEL.

>> WOULD YOU SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT IF IT WOULD COMBINE THE BILLS THAT ARE PENDING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD SAY NO CASH BILL REQUIRE FIRST-DEGREE THE PERSON DOES NOT AFFECT PUBLIC SAFETY OR A FLIGHT RISK.

OKAY, WE CAN CONSIDER PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE NO CASH BILL AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT A FACTOR.

>> I THINK I WOULD BE OPEN IT.

I THINK WE NEED TO ABOLISH CASH BAIL.

IT DOES ONLY APPLY TO THE POOR.

IF YOU ARE POOR, THEN YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT.

IF YOU ARE WEALTHY, THEN YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

THAT'S NOT HOW THE CONSTITUTION WOULD DESIGNED.

>> WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE ONE WE HAVE.

I WILL SAY THIS.

IF WE HAVE NO CASH BAIL, WE HAVE THIS FELLA THAT JUST SHOT UP HIGHLAND PARK SHOULD BE ALLOWED OUT THE NEXT DAY OR IS HE A PUBLIC THREAT.

HE'S A PUBLIC THREAT.

THE JUDGE HAS TO BE ABLE TO FACTOR THAT IN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

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

MARK WEAVER, YOU ARE FIRST.

>> I VOLUNTEER TO FREE OF CHARGE PROSECUTE WHOEVER IMPREGNATED THE TEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO ALLEGEDLY NEEDED TO GET AN ABORTION.

THE PROBLEM IS THERE HAS BEEN VERY THIN REPORTING OUT OF.

THERE IS ONE ALLEGATION FROM A DOCTOR WHO IS AN ACTIVIST.

I WANT TO KNOW HAS THERE BEEN A REPORT TO THE THRIS AND A FOLLOW-UP.

IF THAT'S A REAL STORY, WE NEED TO SEE A PROSECUTION TO WHOEVER WAS INVOLVED?

>> BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS FAILED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE FAIR PROCESS FOR REDIRECTING, WE HAVE A SECOND PRIMARY ELECTION, WHICH IS AUGUST 2nd.

EARLY VOTING ALREADY STARTED.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WATCHING TO GO AHEAD AND REGISTER TO VOTE AND VOTE.

>> THERE IS A BILL THAT WOULD SOON ALLOW WOMEN OR PEOPLE WHO ARE PREGNANT TO SUE DEADBEAT DADS IN OHIO.

THE OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE IS AGAINST IT.

ANOTHER CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION IS FOR IT, CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE IS FOR IT.

THE POINT BEING THAT A LOT OF TIMES WOMEN HAVE TO TAKE ABORTIONS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO MANAGE THE COST OF A CHILD.

THIS WOULD PUT THE FATHER ON THE SPOT.

>> OKAY.

AND THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, WE LAUNCH A SERIES WE'RE CALLING DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS.

IT WILL TACKLE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST ISSUES FACING OUR COUNTRY.

WE'LL KICK IT OFF WITH A DISCUSSION WITH MICHAEL TOMASKY, EDITOR OF THE NEW REPUBLIC AND THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, "IF WE CAN KEEP IT: HOW THE REPUBLIC COLLAPSED AND HOW IT MIGHT BE SAVED".

I'LL MODERATE THE EVENT.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER TO ATTEND THE JULY 13TH PROGRAM AT WOSU.ORG/EVENTS.

THAT'S "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" FOR THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK.

WATCH US ON DEMAND.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.