>>> POLITICS AND THE CASE OF A 10-YEAR-OLD RAPE VICTIM.

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

IN THIS DAY AND AGE EVERYTHING THIS PARTISAN, EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL, EVEN THE RAPE OF A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL TRAVELED TO INDIANA TO GET AN ABORTION BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER A NEW 6-WEEK ABORTION BAN THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN EXCEPTION FOR RAPE OR INSIST.

>> JUST LAST WEEK IT WAS REPORTED THAT A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS A RAPE VICTIM.

10 YEARS OLD.

SHE WAS FORCED TO HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT OF THE STATE TO INDIANA TO SEEK TO TERMINATE THE PREGNANCY AND MAYBE SAFE HER LIFE.

>> THEN REPUBLICANS TOOK IT A STEP FURTHER BY CASTING DOUBT ON WHETHER THE STORY WAS EVEN TRUE.

AFTER ALL, NO ONE HAD YET BEEN CHARGED.

CONGRESSMAN JIM JORDAN TWEETED IT WAS A LIE.

OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVE YOST EXPRESSED SKEPTICISM ON FOX NEWS.

>> DAVE, HAVE YOU HAD ANYBODY COME TO YOU IN YOUR STATE TO SAY WE'RE LOOKING INTO THIS, A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED?

>> NOT A WHISPER.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DECENTRALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IN OHIO.

BUT WE HAVE REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE PROSECUTORS AND LOCAL POLICE AND SHERIFFS.

NOT A WHISPER ANYWHERE.

SOMETHING EVEN MORE TELLING IS MY OFFICE RUNS THE STATE CRIME LAB.

ANY CASE LIKE THIS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A RAPE KIT.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.

YOU WOULD BE LOOKING FOR DNA ANALYSIS, WHICH WE DO MOST OF THE DNA ANALYSIS IN OHIO.

THERE IS NO CASE REQUEST FOR ANALYSIS THAT LOOKS ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> IT TURNS OUT YOST'S OFFICE LIKELY DID NOT GET A REQUEST BECAUSE COLUMBUS POLICE HAS ITS OWN CRIME LAB AND DOES ITS OWN RAPE KIT TESTING.

THIS WEEK COLUMBUS POLICE CHARGE ADD 27-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH RAPING A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL, WHO THEN WENT TO INDIANA TO OBTAIN AN ABORTION.

WHAT IS DAVE YOST SAYING NOW?

>> SO YOST IS A FORMER NEWSPAPER REPORTER AND I THINK HE KIND OF ENJOYS PLAYING OMBUDSMAN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

OF COURSE HE'S ALSO A PARTISAN.

HE SAID HE WAS TRYING TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WHAT HE BASICALLY SAYS NOW IS HE'S REACTING TO INFORMATION THAT WAS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME AND THAT ANOTHER INTERESTING ELEMENT THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED IS NOW THAT SOME REPUBLICANS INCLUDING YOST ARE ARGUING THAT THE HEARTBEAT BILL LAW DOES NOT PROHIBIT AN ABORTION IN THIS CASE.

THERE'S SOME LANGUAGE I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXACT VERBIAGE BUT INVOLVING PROTECTING THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER AND SAYING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED BECAUSE OF THE GIRL'S AGE.

CLEARLY THAT WAS NOT UNDERSTOOD BY HER PARENTS.

A LOT OF PHYSICIANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AMBIGUITIES LIKE THAT.

I'M NOT SURE IT'S ALL CLEAR.

>> MY WIFE GIVES ME A LOT OF ADVICE.

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE SHE GIVES ME IS WHEN YOU'RE DIGGING A HOLE, PUT THE SHOVEL DOWN.

SHOULD DAVE YOST HAVE PUT THE SHOVEL DOWN INSTEAD OF SAYING I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WRONG, I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING INACCURATE?

CLEARLY HE WAS SUGGESTING THE STORY WAS FALSE.

>> RIGHT.

ONE OF THE CONFUSIONS ON THESE KINDS OF CASES THERE'S A TIME LAG FROM WHEN IT'S REPORTED OFFICIALLY UNTIL THERE'S AN ARRAIGNMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DID SAY WE DIDN'T ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS A SMALL TECHNICAL REASON FOR THE DELAY.

THERE WAS OTHER PEOPLE INCLUDING THE "WASHINGTON POST" THAT DID A BIG STORY ON THIS, RAISING THESE QUESTIONS.

BUT OBVIOUSLY AS WE MOVE INTO THE POST PERIOD OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF AMBIGUITIES, QUESTIONS, CONFUSIONS.

ALSO YOU'VE GOT BOTH SIDES TRYING TO POLITICIZE AND RAISE MONEY OFF OF IT.

WELCOME TO EVERY OTHER WEEK WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> THE PRESIDENT TURNED OUT TO BE CORRECT THAT THIS CASE DID HAPPEN AND HE EXPRESSED HIS OUTRAGE ABOUT IT.

HE STILL BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS IT REALLY PUMPS UP THE VOLUME, THE DEMOCRATS ALSO ACCUSED OF MAYBE PLAYING POLITICS A LITTLE BIT.

>> FIRST OFF IT'S A VERY SAD SITUATION FOR THE YOUNG LADY AND HER FAMILY.

POLITICS IS PREVALENT IN EVERYTHING.

FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SAY THAT HE HASN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT WHEN HE'S THE TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN THE STATE, YOU KNOW, THAT CAN BE QUESTIONED A LITTLE BIT.

I MEAN, HE IS THE TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN THE STATE IN A CASE LIKE THIS WHERE YOU HAD A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL INVOLVED, THAT ALMOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TO HIS OFFICE SOMEHOW.

>> POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING.

SOMETIMES THEY KEEP THINGS CLOSE TO THE VEST SO THEY DON'T LOSE A SUSPECT OR IMPINGE ON INFORMATION.

COULD HE HAVE JUST JUMPED THE GUN OR GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE TALKING POINT FEST THERE?

>> IT SEEMED LIKE WHAT YOU MENTIONED, PRESIDENT BIDEN PUTTING IT IN THE FOREFRONT BROUGHT OUT OTHER REPUBLICANS TO PUSH BACK.

THAT'S WHEN YOU SEE THE RAMP-UP OF REPUBLICANS CASTING DOUBT LIKE DAVE YOST.

ANOTHER THING THAT'S BEEN POINTED OUT IS THE IDEA THAT EVEN IF THE CASE WEREN'T TRUE OR EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO VERIFY THE CASE THROUGH POLICE REPORTS AND COURT DOCUMENTS, THERE ARE PLENTY OF ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WHO SAY THESE ARE CASES THAT DO HAPPEN WHETHER OR NOT THAT SPECIFIC INDIANAPOLIS STAR REPORT DID OR DID NOT HAPPEN.

WE KNOW IT DID HAPPEN NOW, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE SAYING PEOPLE WHO ARE ANTI-ABORTION NEED TO FACE THE FACTS THAT THESE TYPE OF SITUATIONS HAPPEN WHERE MINORS ARE RAPED AND BECOME IMPREGNATED.

THE LAW IS LEAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS ON WHAT TO DO.

>> THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY ON THE GIRL.

PRESIDENT BIDEN EVEN SUGGESTED HER LIFE WAS IN DANGER.

OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE IN THEIR STATEMENT DIDN'T SAY THAT.

THEY JUST SAID SHE WAS TRAUMATIZED TWICE BY THE RAPE AND THEN THE ABORTION.

IF YOU'RE AN ABORTION PROVIDER ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THAT RISK?

>> THIS IS PART OF THE MYSTERY MEAT THAT'S GOING ON.

I HAD A KEY RIGHT TO LIFE PERSON TELL ME, OH YES, THAT WOULD QUALIFY TO SAVE THE LIFE BECAUSE SHE WAS SO YOUNG.

IN FACT, I THINK HE WAS RAPED SUPPOSEDLY AT AGE 9 AND JUST TURNED 10.

THEN ANOTHER KEY LEGISLATURE WHO'S A LAWYER TOLD ME, NO HIS READING OF THE LAW WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT OR CONSIDER THAT.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE FINE TUNED ON THE LAW AND COURTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEPARATE IT OUT BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, DOCTORS DON'T WANT TO RISK THEIR LICENSE WHEN THE LAW IS UNCLEAR IN SOME UNIQUE CASES.

>> DOES THIS CONTROVERSY LAST?

THE DEMOCRATS ARE ALREADY SEIZING ON THIS AS A GALVANIZING ISSUE.

ROE IS NOW GONE AND STATES ARE PASSING MORE LAWS TO COME, LOOKING AT SUBURBAN VOTERS, THEY SEE THIS CASE.

DO REPUBLICANS FACE ANY BACKLASH FROM THAT?

>> I THINK IN THE TERMS OF CAMPAIGNS, THIS IS A CASE THAT COULD BE EXHIBIT A OF THE SORT OF WORST CASE SCENARIO OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THESE KINDS OF LAWS EXIST.

I COULD DEFINITELY SEE DEMOCRATS AND ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES POINTING TO THIS CASE DURING CAMPAIGN SYSTEM.

THAT BEING SAID, ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE CASES LIKE THIS UNFORTUNATELY.

JUST A MATTER OF WHETHER OR NOT IT MAY OR MAY NOT GET OVERSHADOWED.

>> YOU'RE STILL USING AS AN EXAMPLE A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL, PERHAPS EVEN 9 WHO WAS RAPED.

YOU CAN'T BE SEEN AS CAPITALIZING ON THAT AWFUL STORY.

>> NO, IT'S AN AWFUL STORY.

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE ISSUES LIKE THIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT LAWS IN DIFFERENT STATES WITH ROE BEING GONE.

SO AS THESE UNFORTUNATE SITUATIONS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE UNFORTUNATE RESULTS AS WE'RE SEEING HERE.

>> THERE'S MORE ABORTION POLITICAL NEWS THIS WEEK.

THERE IS A NEW EFFORT TO REVIVE AN OLD IDEA AMONG ANTI-ABORTION ACTIVISTS, FETAL PERSONHOOD.

A NEW BILL IN THE OHIO HOUSE IS THREE SENTENCES LONG SAYING WHAT'S CALLED THE PERSONHOOD ACT WOULD PROTECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF UNBORN HUMAN INDIVIDUALS FROM THE POINT OF CONCEPTION.

THEY WERE SPONSORED BY STATE REP GARY CLICK OF NORTHERN OHIO, A BAPTIST PASTOR.

HE SAYS FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION A PERSON IS UNIQUE WITH THEIR OWN DNA AND DESERVING OF ALL THE RIGHTS OF PERSONHOOD.

UP UNTIL THIS SUMMER BILLS LIKE THIS DIDN'T GET MUCH ATTENTION.

SOME STATES PASSED THEM BUT BECAUSE OF ROE MANY STATES DIDN'T ACT ON THEM.

NOW ROE IS GONE.

DO WE SEE THIS BECOMING LAW?

>> MY PREDICTION IS ABSOLUTELY, NO, IT WILL NOT BECOME LAW BECAUSE WHAT'S DRAFTED IS SO VAGUE AND UNCLEAR AND ADD THE PATINA OF BEING CRAZY THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO GO THERE.

IF YOU PASS THIS LAW, DOES THAT MEAN EVERYBODY WHO'S PREGNANT CAN HAVE AN ADDED TAX DEDUCTION?

THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF LEGAL ISSUES BUT THE LAW AS WRITTEN IS SOMEBODY'S IDEA FOR ATTENTION BUT IT'S GOING NOWHERE AND WON'T BE PASSED.

>> I REMEMBER A DAY THAT THE OHIO HEARTBEAT LAW WAS CONSIDERED CRAZY.

>> EVEN UP TO FIVE YEARS AGO THERE WAS A WHOLE HOST OF BILLS REGULARLY INTRODUCED AND USUALLY CAST ASIDE AS REPRESENTING THE MORE EXTREME VIEW.

MORE AND MORE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN MOVEMENT ON THOSE BILLS MOVING FURTHER TO THE RIGHT.

A BILL LIKE THIS WHERE YOU WOULDN'T EXPECTING TO SEE ANY MOMENTUM GIVEN TO IT IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION ANYMORE.

>> COULD THEY WRITE THE BILL TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THINGS LIKE TAXES, CENSUS COUNTS, RIING HOV LANES LIKE THIS WOMAN IN DALLAS WHO WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT IN THE CAR.

>> I READ THIS BILL BEFORE IT WAS BEING FORMALLY INTRODUCED.

GARY CLICK SAID HOW SHORT IT WAS.

IT'S LIKE TEN WORDS.

I MEAN, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THE VERBIAGE, BUT LIKE ALL PERSONHOOD INCLUDING PREBORN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S VERY SIMPLE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT WOULD GET VETTED OUT IF THAT'S THE PERSON INTRODUCING IT.

I DO THINK WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT IT IS THAT IN THIS KIND OF POST ROE ERA, IT'S HARD TO SAY WHAT THE MAINSTREAM IS ON THIS BECAUSE FOR SO LONG THE ISSUE HAS BEEN BOTTLED UP.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION, I GUESS.

>> THERE IS THIS LAW RIGHT NOW IF YOU ARE IN OHIO, IF YOU MURDER A PREGNANT WOMAN, YOU CAN BE CHARGED WITH KILLING THE FETUS, THE UNBORN CHILD.

IT'S KIND OF VAGUE AS TO WHERE LIFE BEGINS.

OTHER STATES SAY IT BEGINS AT CONCEPTION.

YOU CAN BE CHARGED WITH MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER OR ANY OF THOSE VARIATIONS.

IF YOU KILL A WOMAN WHO'S 8 MONTHS PREGNANT, YOU'RE CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF MURDER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TO THE SCENARIO THAT YOU JUST GAVE, IF YOU KILL A WOMAN WHO'S 8 MONTHS PREGNANT, SHE'S ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH TO THE CHILD.

THE QUESTION IS WHEN IS CONCEPTION.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ALL THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BILLS COMING FORWARD FROM, BASICALLY FROM THE GOP.

I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROTECT THE KIDS THAT ARE BORN IN THIS STATE?

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE REAL QUESTION THAT WE NEED TO BE ASKING, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY KIDS THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY EDUCATED.

WE HAVE AN INCARCERATION PROBLEM IN THIS STATE, IN THIS COUNTRY.

I FEEL LIKE THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD REALLY BE CONCENTRATING ON WHAT ARE WE DOING AFTER THE KIDS ARE BORN VERSUS WHEN THEY'RE NOT.

>> I'M GOING TO SECOND THAT.

ONE VERY CONSERVATIVE STATE REP I TALKED TO TODAY MADE THE POINT THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND DO MORE TO HELP OUT FAMILIES, CHILDREN, ADOPTION.

THERE'S A LOT OF LEGAL AREAS WHERE THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO FOCUS AND DO MORE.

I THINK THE STATE OF OHIO HAS INVESTED QUITE A BIT OF MINUTE IN HELPING FAMILIES RELATED TO THESE THINGS, BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY GOT TO LOOK AT DO THEY NEED TO DO MORE, ARE THEY PROVIDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT AND HELP.

>> IT TAKES A LOT OF MONEY.

WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE TAXES TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES FOR LATER IN LIFE, ABORTION SERVICES, PERHAPS DAYCARE SERVICES, CHILD CARE SERVICES.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WE'RE IN AN INTERESTING SITUATION NOW TOO, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE IS ON SUMMER BREAK.

LIKE ANDREW SAID, THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE SHIFT IN THE LANDSCAPE HERE IN OHIO WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY.

THERE IS NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN A BAN ON ABORTIONS AS EARLY AS 6 WEEKS INTO A PREGNANCY.

YOU WOULD THINK MAYBE LAWMAKERS WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT COMING BACK INTO SESSION TO BE CLEAR UP THIS VAGUENESS AND MOVE ON SOME BILLS THAT ADDRESS THE SITUATION FURTHER.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

NOW WE'RE IN A HOLDING PATTERN.

>> EVEN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ARE NOT REALLY RUSHING TO CODIFY WHAT WAS IN ROE IN THEIR STATES.

REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ARE UP FOR REELECTION AND ARE NOT RUSHING TO MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL.

WHY DO YOU THINK THERE'S A HESITANCY WHEN WE'RE ONLY FIVE OR SIX MONTHS?

>> LEGISLATING IF YOU DO IT RIGHT IS COMPLICATED AND HARD WORK BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT WHAT'S IN THE EXISTING LAW, FIGURE OUT WHAT TO FIX AND HOW TO CHANGE IT AND DEAL WITH ALL KIND OF WHAT IF QUESTIONS THAT WHEN AN IDEALOGUE COME UP WITH DON'T THINK ABOUT.

NOW THEY'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT THOSE CONDITIONS.

>> IT'S NOT LIKE DEWINE RUNNING HAVING JUST SIGNED AN ANTI-ABORTION LAW.

>> OR LIKE THE LEGISLATURES WHO WANT TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON INFLATION.

YES, IT'S POLITICS.

>>> ROB PORTMAN IS NOT RUNNING AND JD VANCE IS A UNIQUE AND NATIONALLY KNOWN CANDIDATE.

THREE, HIS DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT IS RUNNING A UNIQUE CAMPAIGN.

TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS AD.

REMEMBER, FIRST, TIM RYAN IS A DEMOCRAT.

>> YOU'VE BEEN A JOBS CREATOR.

YOU'VE BEEN TOUGH ON CHINA.

>> YOU TALK BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES.

>> SAM RYAN IS PITCHING SOME OF THE MORE MODERATE IDEAS.

>> WATCH, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN TRIED TO REMIND HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS THAT MOST AMERICANS DON'T SUPPORT OPEN BORDERS.

>> YOU'RE VERY MODERATE.

YOU'RE HANGING OUT IN THE MIDDLE LIKE MOST OF US ARE.

>> I'M TIM RYAN AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.

>> UNIQUE.

YOU HAVE RUN AND WORKED ON MANY CAMPAIGNS AS A DEMOCRAT.

WOULD YOU EVER THINK OF USING JUST FOX NEWS IN ONE OF YOUR ADS?

>> I THINK TIM RYAN IS RUNNING A VERY SMART CAMPAIGN.

I'VE SAID HE'S THE ORIGINAL AMERICA FIRST CANDIDATE.

HE LIVES IN A DISTRICT THAT IS BLUE COLLAR, HARD WORKING PEOPLE AND HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THIS RACE.

HE'S BEEN IN CONGRESS FOR OVER A DECADE, A COUPLE DECADES.

HE'S ONE THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT YOU GOT TO GET OUT AND TALK WITH PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE TO TALK WITH NOT ONLY YOUR BASE BUT YOU HAVE TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL ON THE FENCE ABOUT YOU.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING.

>> HE RAISED $9 MILLION IN THE LAST QUARTER, DOUBLE WHAT HE DID IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

IS IT WORKING?

>> HARD TO SAY.

POLLS TO THE EXTENT THEY CAN BE TRUSTED SAY THE RACE IS TIED OR CLOSE.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THAT'S MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ONE CANDIDATE IS SPENDING $6 MILLION IN ADS, THE OTHER CANDIDATE IS KIND OF QUIETLY FUND-RAISING OR WHATEVER JD VANCE HAS BEEN UP TO.

THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE WHEN PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY VOTING, SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO DRAW TOO MUCH FROM IT.

HOWEVER, I THINK SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO WATCH IN THIS IS THAT NATIONAL MONEY HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS RACE AT ALL.

THEY'RE PRIORITIZING OTHER STATES THAT ARE KIND OF MORE COMPETITIVE OR AT LEAST ASSESSED TO BE SO.

THAT SHOWING UP IS A SIGN THAT PEOPLE IN THE KNOW WITH CHECKBOOKS ARE CHANGING HOW THEY VIEW THE RACE.

>> HE'S SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.

HE SPENT LIKE $10 MILLION ALREADY BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY ON CAMPAIGNS.

>> YEAH.

I THINK TIM RYAN AND HIS CAMPAIGN STAFF SEE THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO WIN OHIO, YOU HAVE TO RUN A DIFFERENT RACE THAN MAYBE OTHER DEMOCRATS HAVE IN THE PAST SINCE DONALD TRUMP STARTED RUNNING.

THAT'S SORT OF A NEW PLAYBOOK THAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK IT'S, ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER TEST BALLOON OF WHERE DO THE POLITICS LAND HERE IN OHIO.

IF TIM RYAN'S MESSAGE REALLY DOES REACH VOTERS ESPECIALLY IN THE MAMAHONING VALLEY AREA AND FLIP THAT TO BLUE, MAYBE THAT PROVES IT COULD WORK FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> JD VANCE IS A NEWCOMER TO POLITICS.

ARE REPUBLICANS WORRIED ABOUT RYAN'S TACTICS AND JD VANCE'S FAILURE TO RESPOND?

>> IT'S A BIG GAMBLE.

AS ONE EXPERIENCED DEMOCRAT PUT IT TO ME, ULTIMATELY DO YOU THINK TRUMP VOTERS ARE GOING TO THINK HE'S TRUMP ESQUE AND HE DIDN'T BUY THAT MUCH ON THERE.

HE JUST DID IT TO GET A MEDIA SPIN AND GET YOU TO PLAY THE COMMERCIAL.

REALLY HE'S GAMBLING BUT THIS RACE COMES DOWN TO ONE MAN ONE VOTE.

UNLESS CHUCK SCHUMER IS WILLING TO WRITE A CHECK TO FUND HIS CAMPAIGN, HE'S NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE ULTIMATELY VANCE WILL RAISE THE MONEY.

>> FOR CONGRESSMAN RYAN TO BE TWO POINTS AHEAD AT THIS STAGE IN THE GAME RIGHT NOW, HE IS OUTPACING JD VANCE.

JD VANCE IS NOT RAISING MONEY.

OF COURSE HE'S GOING TO COME IN AT THE LAST MINUTE AND THEY'RE BOTH GOING TO BE A BARRAGE OF COMMERCIALS.

TIM RYAN IS OWNING THIS RACE RIGHT NOW AND HE'S GOING TO WIN IT.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

>> WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM JD VANCE.

THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE NUMBERS COME OUT FRIDAY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT SO WE'LL GET AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH MONEY HE'S RAISED.

HE'S NOT BEEN ON THE TRAIL TOO VISIBLY IN OHIO.

SOME REPUBLICANS ARE GETTING WORRIED.

>> IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, IT'S SUMMER TIME.

MOST PEOPLE AFTER THE UGLY MAY PRIOR ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A REST AND TUNE IT OUT.

WHEN PEOPLE START PAYING ATTENTION IN SEPTEMBER, THAT'S WHEN THE REAL CAMPAIGN BEGINS.

TIM RYAN ENDORSED JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2019 RIGHT AFTER HE DROPPED OUT WHEN HE FAILED TO GET ANY VOTES NATIONALLY AND HE'S BEEN 100% RUBBER STAMP VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN'S PROGRAMS.

SO THE BIDEN THING IS GOING TO SINK HIM.

>> BUT JD VANCE HAS BASICALLY DENOUNCED YOUR SAVIOR DONALD TRUMP AND NOW HAS GOTTEN BACK ON THE TEAM WITH HIM.

HE'S GOING TO BE LOOKED UPON AS A FLIP-FLOPPER.

>> I'LL BE HAPPY TO DO A LITTLE WAGER WITH YOU AND HAPPY TO COLLECT THE MONEY AFTER ELECTION DAY.

>> MY PREDICTION IS NEXT FOX NEWS AD FROM TIM RYAN WON'T BE GRAINY BLACK AND WHITE VIDEO PERHAPS.

>>> AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER WENT BEFORE THE STATE UTILITY REGULATORS THIS WEEK TO EXPLAIN WHY IT INTENTIONALLY TURNED OFF ELECTRICITY TO A QUARTER MILLION COLUMBUS AREA RESIDENTS LAST MONTH, SAYING IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THE LAWS OF PHYSICS, THE NEED TO PROTECT THE CENTRAL OHIO GRID.

IT ONLY HAD FIVE MINUTES TO MAKE A DECISION.

AND IT'S A VERY RARE OCCURRENCE.

THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS NINE YEARS AGO.

THE PUCO SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY THE SITUATION.

IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH?

>> IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR CONSUMER ADVOCATES.

THE OFFICE OF THE OHIO CONSUMERS COUNCIL IS ASKING FOR AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DECISIONS MADE.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE HIRING AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR, HAVING PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WANTS TO GIVE AMPLE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT.

WHEN THESE FORCED OUTAGES HAPPEN TO OFFSET ANY LOAD THAT WAS GOING ON AT A SUBSTATION.

A LOT OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS WERE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS, HIGH RISK NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY LOST A LOT OF FOOD BECAUSE IT SPOILED BECAUSE THEIR REFRIGERAORS COULDN'T RUN.

THERE WAS A BIG IMPACT HERE.

THE CONSUMERS COUNCIL WANTS A BIG INVESTIGATION.

>> THEY SAY IT WASN'T THE AFFLUENCE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT WAS JUST WHAT THEY WERE TOLD TO SHUT OFF.

IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS WHICH TEND TO BE LOW INCOME.

YOU LOST POWER FOR A LONG TIME.

IS THIS EXPLANATION GOOD ENOUGH?

>> NO.

THERE'S A 13-STATE GRID THAT SUPPOSEDLY TOLD AEP, A BIG NATIONAL CORPORATION, WHAT TO DO.

LATER I TALKED TO ONE OF THE AEP OFFICIALS AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME WE SWITCHED ON OHIO HEALTH AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AFTER WE REALIZED WE DIDN'T WANT THEM SHUT OFF.

IF YOU COULD SWITCH THEM BACK ON, WHY NOT SWITCH ON SOME OTHER PEOPLE?

LEGALLY AEP IS SUPPOSED TO BUILD INTO THE WORST CASE AN EXTRA 25% RESERVE.

WHERE WAS THAT RESERVE?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT COMES DOWN TO THE HEALTH OF THE GRID AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

>> THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED AND THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION TO LOOK INTO WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY.

BUT THE BIGGER ISSUE IS OUR GRID IS VERY VULNERABLE.

IT'S BEEN VULNERABLE FOR A LONG TIME AND AEP AND OTHER ELECTRIC COMPANIES AROUND THE STATE NEED TO REALLY DO A DEEP DIVE ASSESSMENT AS TO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE OUR GRID IS RELIABLE EVEN IN TIMES OF BAD WEATHER OR EMERGENCY.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS, THE ONE COST THAT CONTINUES TO GO UP IS THE TRANSMISSION FEE.

THAT'S FOR RELIABILITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UPSET WE'RE PAYING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN TRANSMISSION FEES AND WHY IS THERE STILL RELIABILITY ISSUES?

>> LEADING UP TO THIS AEP WAS BRAGGING HOW THEY SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND HOW THEY HAD SUCH A SMART GRID.

SOUND LIKE THE GRID DIDN'T GET OUT OF KINDERGARTEN BECAUSE IT FAILED.

>> DO LAWMAKERS TAKE UP THIS CAUSE AND HAVE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OF THEIR OWN, DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S MORE OF A REGULATORY ISSUE.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME WHERE COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN SEEN AS NOT BEING FRIENDLY TO CONSUMERS AND BEING TOO FRIENDLY TO THE INDUSTRY.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF AN ISSUE IN THAT ARENA AND HIGHLIGHTS THAT ONGOING CRITICISM THAT YOU'VE BEEN HEARING IN OHIO FOR A LONG TIME.

>> ANDY, WHERE DOES IT GO?

WAIT ANOTHER NINE YEARS UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN?

>> I THINK THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THERE COULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

WHY DID YOU KEEP OHIO HEALTH AND OTHER PLACES ON AND TAKE OTHER PEOPLE OFF?

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF REVIEW THERE WILL BE INTO THOSE PROTOCOLS.

>> TIME NOW FOR OUR FINAL OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOTS.

YOU'RE UP FIRST.

>> WE HAD AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT WITH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION AND THE COLUMBUS CREW TO BUILD A SPORTS PARK AT KILLBORN RUN PARK.

IT'S GOING TO BE A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY AND ONE TO BE PROUD OF.

>> IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE CREW STADIUM BUT THEY MOVED IT.

>> IT STILL MIGHT BE AT THE CREW STADIUM.

DEPEND IF THE CITY SIGNS A LEASE.

>> MAYOR GENTZLER WANTS TO DO AWAY -- PART OF IT SAYS APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ACCORDING CITIES SHALL BE MADE ACCORDING TO MERIT AND FITNESS BY COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE AT CITY HALL OUGHT TO LOOK CAREFULLY WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> ANDREW?

>> I WENT TO JAIL THIS WEEK.

THE FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEDICATED A NEW JAIL FACILITY, WHICH IS VERY NICE WHICH IS A WEIRD THING TO SAY ABOUT A JAIL.

I WAS THERE BECAUSE IN CLEVELAND WHERE MY COLLEAGUES WORK AND ALL THAT, THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT THEIR OWN JAIL SITUATION.

SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT FRANKLIN COUNTY'S FACILITY.

I RECOMMEND PEOPLE LOOK ME UP ON TWITTER AND CHECK OUT MY STORY AND READ THE CAPTIONS FOR THE PHOTOS.

>> YOU DIDN'T STAY VERY LONG.

ANDY.

>> I GOT TO TALK TO TIM RYAN AND JD VANCE ABOUT THE ISSUE OF INFLATION.

JD VANCE WANTS TO REDUCE ENERGY REGULATION SAYING THAT WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM.

TIM RYAN WANTS TAX CUTS.

>> I PREDICT WE'LL SEE JD VANCE ON TV SOMETIME IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO BLUNT SOME OF THIS.

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

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK.

WATCH US ON DEMAND AT WOSU.ORG OR THROUGH THE PBS VIDEO APP.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.