>>> HIS WHITE HOUSE QUEST OVER, WHAT IS NEXT FOR OHIO'S VIVEK RAMASWAMY.

♪♪ WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

AT LONG LAST OR PERHAPS YOU'RE SAYING AGAIN, ALREADY, VOTING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS UNDER WAY.

IOWA REPUBLICANS CAUCUSED THIS WEEK AND GAVE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP A CONVINCING VICTORY.

TRUMP RECEIVED MORE THAN RON DeSANTIS AND NIKKI HALEY DID COMBINED.

CENTRAL OHIO'S VIVEK RAMASWAMY GOT 8% OF THE VOTE AND IMMEDIATELY DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE, LEADING TO SPECULATION AS TO WHAT RAMASWAMY'S NEXT POLITICAL MOVE MIGHT BE AND WHETHER IT MIGHT BE HERE IN OHIO.

MIKE GONIDAKIS WILL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.

FIRST TO THE IOWA RESULTS.

AS NOT QUITE PRESIDENTS HUCKABEE, SANTORUM, AND CRUZ WILL SAY, IOWA IS NOT A GUARANTEE FOR AVENTUAL VICTORY.

DOES DONALD TRUMP -- IS THERE ANY CHANCE HE FACES THAT FATE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

NO DISRESPECT TO THE INDIVIDUAL YOU NAMED.

IT WAS A CONVINCING VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND HE WASN'T THERE HALF THE TIME.

HE WAS DEALING WITH LEGAL BATTLES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE REALLY ISN'T A CONVINCING ARGUMENT FOR THE OTHER CANDIDATES, HALEY AND DeSANTIS, ABOUT GOING FORWARD.

AT SOME POINT THEIR MONEY IS GOING TO DRY UP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO NEW HAMPSHIRE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT DOES NEW HAMPSHIRE GET YOU?

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS A CLEAR PATH TO THE NOMINATION.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND HE'LL BE OUR NOMINEE.

>> SMALL SAMPLE SIZE, MORGAN, BUT THE PRESIDENT WON IN EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC CATEGORY IN IOWA.

>> YEAH.

SEEING THAT HE WAS ABLE TO GET WELL OVER 50% DESPITE A LOT OF THE HEADWINDS THAT HE'S FACING LEGALLY, I AGREE WITH MIKE, HE WASN'T THERE THE ENTIRE TIME, AND HE'S STILL GETTING OVER 50%.

IT'S HARD TO SEE THAT HE'S GOING THE PUBLIC AND A FREE CITIZEN.

>> HAD THEIR IS LIKE 2016 -- THIS IS LIKE 2016 AGAIN.

JOHN KASICH PUT ALL HIS MEN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND CAME IN DISTANT SECOND AND CLAIMED VICTORY.

DOES NIKKI HALEY HAVE TO WIN TO REMAIN VIABLE?

IS A CLOSE SECOND GOING TO DO IT?

>> THERE'S -- IF SOMEBODY HAS THE SECRET TO WINNING THIS RACE BESIDES DONALD TRUMP, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE.

YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY LOSING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WOULD NOT HELP HER CASE AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.

TRUMP GETTING OVER 50%, THAT'S -- THIS IS BASICALLY AN INCUMBENT RACE, AND YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE WENT WITH HIM.

>> MIKE, HE HAS SO MUCH BAGGAGE, THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

BUT THE CANDIDATES ARE SO LOATHE TO DIRECTLY CRITICIZE HIM OR EVEN BE TOUGH ON HIM LIKE THEY WOULD BE ON ANYONE ELSE.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

I MEAN, ARE THEY LOOKING FOR 2028, ARE THEY HOPING -- PERHAPS WONDERING MAYBE THESE LEGAL CHALLENGES WILL KICK HIM OFF THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER?

YOU'RE GOING TO NEED THOSE TRUMP SUPPORTERS?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS LOVED THE WAY BARACK OBAMA IS LOVED BY THE DEMOCRATS WITH OBVIOUSLY REPUBLICANS, BUT INDEPENDENT, BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS, AND THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF CRITICISM THAT CAN BE GIVEN TO HIM TO OUR BASE THAT ARE GOING TO CHANGE THEIR MIND AND TURNS THE BASE OFF WHEN YOU HEAR THE NIKKI HALEYs AND DeSANTIS DOESN'T DO AS MUCH, BUT NIKKI HALEY HAS RAMPED UP HER CRITICISM AND IT'S HURT HER IN THE POLLS.

FOCUSING ON YOURSELF IS PROBABLY THE BEST CASE.

THERE IS NO PATH FORWARD FOR DeSANTIS, NO DISRESPECT, OR NIKKI HALEY.

>> THAT BRINGS US TO VIVEK RAMASWAMY.

ANDREW, YOU'VE WRITTEN A PIECE LOOKING AT HIS NEXT MOVE.

IT MIGHT COME IN OHIO.

>> THERE'S ONE WAY TO LOOK AT THIS RACE.

YOU KNOW, VIVEK RAMASWAMY -- IF HE'S A HOUSEHOLD NAME, BUT CERTAINLY MORE PEOPLE KNOW WHO HE WAS THAN THEY DID A YEAR AGO INCLUDING MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW OHIO POLITICS.

SO THE FACT THAT HE GOT 8% IN A CAUCUS, I MEAN, IT'S ONLY LIKE 8,000 PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HOW FEW PEOPLE VOTE IN IOWA.

IT'S STILL -- TO GO FROM ZERO TO THAT IS SOMETHING.

SO YOU KNOW, THE WAY THAT PEOPLE HERE IN OHIO WERE FOLLOWING HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, IT WASN'T THEY THOUGHT HE WOULD WIN, BUT THEY ALMOST WONDERED WHAT'S NEXT, WHAT'S HE BUILDING TOWARD.

SO THE QUESTION THAT PEOPLE HAVE IS WHETHER HE MIGHT RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN 2026, THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR A HIGH -- NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR A HIGH-PROFILE RACE.

PEOPLE THINK HE'S MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN NATIONAL POLITICS BUT HAS A LOT OF OPTIONS.

INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HE DOES NEXT.

>> HE'S VERY TIGHT WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOHN HUSTED.

DO YOU SEE THEM RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR?

>> I DON'T.

JOHN HUSTED HAS GONE A GREAT JOB.

BUT VIVEK HAS A NATIONAL IF NOT INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM, HE COULD LOOK AT A MEDIA COMPANY LIKE TUCKER CARLSON IS DOING ON X, FORMERLY TWITTER.

BUT IF PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T OFFER HIM THE VP NOMINATION OR IF HE -- IF TRUMP WINS SOMETHING IN THE SENIOR CABINET LEVEL, I THINK VIVEK IS GOING TO TAKE HIS PLATFORM NATIONALLY THROUGH MEDIA.

>> BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN OHIO IS ALWAYS SORT OF NEXT PERSON UP, IT'S HARD TO BREAK IN, MORGAN.

I MEAN, IS THERE ANY WAY -- J.D.

VANCE DID IT TO SOME DEGREE, ALTHOUGH I THINK HE WAS BETTER KNOWN IN OHIO BEFORE HE RAN.

AND VIVEK IS A TOTAL OUTSIDER.

IS THERE ANY WAY THAT HE COULD BREAK IN AND SORT OF BREAK UP THAT LOGJAM OR PATH ISLAM.

>> I THINK IT -- JAM?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHAT RACE HE'S -- IT WOULD BE TRICKIER FOR HIM TO GET SOMETHING LIKE GOVERNOR.

HE DOESN'T SEEM TO PUT A LOT OF ENERGY INTO BUILDING HIS ROOTS HERE AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ON THE GROUND, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK PEOPLE EXPECT FROM A GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.

LIKE WE SAW WITH J.D.

VANCE, IF YOU'RE GOING FOR SOMETHING LIKE SENATE, IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RUN A NATIONAL RACE, THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF AN EASIER PLAY.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE HAS A LOT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

SO HE HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE CHOICES THAT A LOT OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES WOULD BE ENVIOUS OF BECAUSE HE HAD THAT INDEPENDENCE.

>> ANDREW, DOES HE HAVE ANY REGRETS THAT HE -- THE NEXT SENATE RACE IS PROBABLY AT LEAST FOUR, MAYBE SIX YEARS AWAY, MAYBE LONGER IF A REPUBLICAN WINS THE SHERROD BROWN SEAT FOR HIM.

DOES HE HAVE ANY REGRETS FOR NOT JUMPING IN THIS YEAR'S SENATE RACE?

>> I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW.

I DIDN'T TALK TO HIM FOR THE STORY, ALTHOUGH HE IS PRETTY ACCESSIBLE TO REPORTERS.

HE CONSIDERED RUNNING IN 2022 AND DIDN'T.

I ACTUALLY THINK THAT -- THERE'S A FUN CONSPIRACY THEORY TOWARD THE END OF THE FILING DEADLINE LAST DECEMBER THAT HE MIGHT RUN, AT THE TIME THE RACE OF UNSETTLED.

TRUMP HADN'T WEIGHED IN YET.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY.

I LOOKED UP HIS ESTIMATED NET WORTH, $940 MILLION.

HE'S ROUNDING DOWN FROM A BILLIONAIRE.

SO HE'S GOT THE RESOURCES, AND THAT'S ALMOST LIKE UNFORTUNATELY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN POLITICS TODAY, AT LEAST THE MAIN QUESTION YOU HAVE TO ANSWER IF YOU'RE GOING TO RUN A CAMPAIGN.

>> DO YOU THINK THE BEST SHOT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO RUN THIS TIME, MIKE?

>> I DO.

WE COULD MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK THIS ALL DAY LONG.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE TIME FOR HIM TO DO IT.

BUT THEN AGAIN HE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THAT NATIONAL PLATFORM THAT HE HAD GOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BEING ON FOX NEWS AND TUCKER'S SHOW.

SO IT KIND OF GOES BOTH WAYS.

I DON'T SEE SOMEWHAT OF A BILLIONAIRE GOING TO MEIGS COUNTY, SHELLING FOR GOVERNOR OF STATE OF OHIO.

>> THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT DO.

>>> THE RACE FOR U.S. SENATE HAS BEGUN TO HEAT UP.

CANDIDATES IN SUPER PACS ARE INCREASING THEIR ADVERTISING, AND AS CANDIDATES INTENSIFY THEIR CAMPAIGNS, THEY ARE FACING INCREASING SCRUTINY.

A COUPLE OF NEWS REPORTS THIS WEEK RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT BERNIE MORENO'S BUSINESS PRACTICES.

THE "ASSOCIATED PRESS" FOUND HIS CAR DEALERSHIP CASE FACED DISCRIMINATION LAWSUITS.

LY AND HIS COMPANY WERE ACCUSED OF AGE DISCRIMINATION AND SUITS.

A SUBSIDIARY WAS ACCUSED OF RACE DISCRIMINATION.

THE SUITS WERE SETTLED, AND MORENO SAYS TWO OF THE PLAINTIFFS ENDORSE HIM.

"THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH" REPORTS THE CAR DEALERSHIP IN MASSACHUSETTS FACED MULTIPLE LAWSUITS FOR NOT PAYING EMPLOYEES OVERTIME.

MORENO DISPETED THE CLAIMS -- DWIS DISPUTED THE CLAIMS.

WE DON'T HAVE CLEAR POLLING AS TO WHERE THIS RACE STANDS, BUT THE SPOTLIGHT IS DRIFTING TOWARD BERNIE MORENO.

IT WOULD SEEM LIKE HE MIGHT BE THE CANDIDATE TO BEAT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KIND OF USED TO EVALUATE IN LIEU OF POLLING WHERE THE RACE MIGHT STAND IS LIKE WHERE DO THE OPPONENTS START LOOKING AT.

I NOTICED THE OHIO DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS INCREASINGLY BEEN ATTACKING BERNIE IN THE RACE EVER SINCE HE GOT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT IN DECEMBER.

SO THESE KINDS OF STORIES ARE THE SORT OF VETTING THAT HAPPENED TO CANDIDATES WHEN YOU BECOME A FRONTRUNNER.

IT'S LIKE THE BURDEN OF BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

SO YOU KNOW, BERNIE IS SOMEBODY THAT I KNOW AND PEOPLE IN -- WHO READ "THE PLAIN DEALER "AND CLEVELAND.COM, MIGHT KNOW FROM HIS DEALINGS.

HE'S AN UNKNOWN IN A PROFOUND WAY.

I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE STORIES LIKE THIS.

>> WHAT WILL VOTERS MAKE OF THESE LAWSUITS, MIKE?

>> ZERO, NOTHING IN MY HUMBLE OPINION.

VOTERS ARE LOOKING AT GAS BACK OVER $3 A GALLON, GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE IS A MISERABLE TIME NOW.

THIS IS A REFERENDUM ON PRESIDENT BIDEN OVER THE LAST YOUR YEARS OF -- FEWER YEARS OF HIS PRESIDENCY.

THIS IS ABOUT JOE BIDEN AND THE DEMOCRATS ON THE TICKET.

THAT PLAYS WELL FOR REPUBLICANS AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THE LAWSUITS IN -- THAT MASSACHUSETTS WAS ABOUT A FURNITURE STORE.

SO ANY RETAILER IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS THAT SOLD A WILSON BRIDGET, WHETHER -- A WIDGET, WHETHER CONTINUE A CAR, A SHOE, FURNITURE, THEY HAD TO -- IT WASN'T A LAWSUIT AGAINST BERNIE.

HE WAS A RETAILER IN MASSACHUSETTS.

>> HIS MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP OUTSIDE OF BOSTON WAS THE OVERTIME -- >> CORRECT.

BUT THE CASE CAME FROM A FURNITURE STORE IN OVERTIME AND SWOOPED IN EVERY OTHER BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

>> SHERROD BROWN WHO RUNS AS A LABOR CANDIDATE, I'M SURE HE'S LOOKING AT THE LAWSUITS AMIDST NEGATIVE AD MATERIALS, SHOULD BERNIE MORENO MAKE IT THROUGH THE GENERAL.

RIGHT, MORGAN?

>> YEAH, BUT I, AGAIN, FIND MYSELF IN THE ODD POSITION OF AGREEING WITH MIKE WHERE I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THESE ARE THE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT ANIMATE A LOT OF REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS IN PARTICULAR.

AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT.

AS WE KNOW, A LOT OF THIS COMES DOWN TO NAME I.D., MOMENTUM, AND IN OHIO AS A REPUBLICAN, DONALD TRUMP.

AND BERNIE MORENO SEEMS TO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED THOSE POLITICAL WATERS.

AND YOU KNOW, I DO THINK IT WILL BE LIKELY, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THAT EFFECT OF THE PRESIDENT AND, YOU KNOW, THE REPUTATION FOR DEMOCRATS AND SUCCESS ELECTORALLY IN OHIO LATELY AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL IT WILL BE A TIGHT RACE.

AND BERNIE MORENO IS TRYING TO DISTINGUISH HIMSELF.

>> CAN I SAY HOW THE STORY MIGHT MATTER?

THE WAY THAT CAMPAIGNS THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.

IT'S NOT WHAT'S IN THE STORY, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A HEADLINER, SOMETHING THEY CAN SPLASH ON A NEGATIVE AD.

PEOPLE LIKE I SAID EARLIER DON'T KNOW WHO BERNIE MORENO IS.

AND I'M SURE THE FIRST CHANCE THAT IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT HE'S THE PERSON THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON, YOU'LL SEE DEMOCRATS AND SHERROD BROWN TRY TO FIND HIM.

THEY'LL SAY HE GOT ACCUSED OF NOT PAYING HIS WORKERS AND SHERROD BROWN'S FOR THE WORKERS, THAT KIND OF THING.

THEY'LL TRY TO BUILD A NARRATIVE OFF OF IT.

>> IS THAT A CONCERN, ANDREW, THAT -- FRANK LAROSE AND INNER LOOP AN OPEN BOOK MORE OR LESS, VOTERS KNOW THEM, THERE'S SCRUTINY ON THE RECORD.

BUT BERNIE MORENO NOT SO MUCH.

THERE'S NO VOTING RECORD THERE IN PUBLIC OFFICE, HE'S A NEW CANDIDATE MORE OR LESS.

HE'S RUN BEFORE, BUT HE'S A -- YOU KNOW, RED SHIRT ROOKIE AS THEY WOULD SAY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

>> YEAH.

SO VOTERS HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY LIKE POLITICAL OUTSIDERS, AND THEY DON'T HOLD NECESSARILY AGAINST SOMEBODY FOR NOT HAVING POLITICAL EXPERIENCE.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, PEOPLE TONIGHT KNOW WHO BERNIE IS.

I'M NOT SURE THEY STILL TO DOO TODAY.

IT DEPENDS -- IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS THIS WILL TELL YOU WHO HE IS.

>> I WOULD JUST ADD A LOT OF PEOPLE -- EVEN WITH J.D.

VANCE'S NAME I.D., PEOPLE KNEW WHO HE WAS BECAUSE HE HAD A BOOK AND NATIONAL PROFILE AND IT WASN'T GETTING HIM TRACTION.

WHEN THE MOMENT CAME FOR DONALD TRUMP TO STEP IN AND FOR PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND BUILD MOMENTUM WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY, THEY CAME, AND IT WORKED.

SO I THINK BERNIE MORENO HAS THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES OF BEING LESS KNOWN.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> FRANK LAROSE HAS WON TWICE STATEWIDE.

AND HIS AD FROM HIS -- NOT FROM HIM, HIS PAC THAT'S OUT.

THERE HE'S TOUTING HIS MILITARY CAREER AND TOUTING HOW HE SERVED ON THE BORDER AND THE BORDER WAS A MESS 20 YEARS AGO.

HE DIDN'T POINT OUT THAT IT WAS GEORGE W. BUSH WHO WAS PRESIDENT 20 YEARS AGO AND ALSO A TEXAN.

BUT THE BORDER IS LIKE THE ISSUE THAT ALL CANDIDATES ARE HANGING THEIR HAT ON RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, I LIKE THE AD.

IT SHOWED HIM WITH HIS MILITARY PRESENCE.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO TELL THE VOTERS WHAT YOU STAND FOR, WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IF ELECTED.

AND YOU KNOW, WHAT YOUR POSITIONS ARE.

SO I THINK THAT NEEDS TO COME NEXT.

YOU'RE RIGHT THE BORDER ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH REPUBLICANS.

>> INCREASINGLY -- THIS IS INTERESTING TO SEE AS SOME OF THE BIGGER CITIES LIKE CHICAGO STARTING TO MANAGE A LOT OF THE MIGRANT SITUATION, I DO THINK IT'S INCREASINGLY BECOME SOMETHING THAT MORE DEMOCRATS CARE ABOUT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THAT SHERROD BROWN HAS A TRACK RECORD OF STANDING UP FOR A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES AND WILL BE MAKING THAT CASE TO VOTERS AND HOPEFULLY I THINK IT WILL WORK OUT IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AS SUPPORTERS OF A REDISTRICTING REFORM AMENDMENT COLLECTS SIGNATURES THIS WINTER, ANOTHER VOTER-RELATED BALLOT ISSUE IS TAKING SHAPE.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD EXPAND VOTING ACCESS IN OHIO.

IT WOULD PROVIDE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION FOR ALL ELIGIBLE ADULTS.

IT WOULD ALLOW VOTERS TO REGISTER AND VOTE ON THE SAME DAY.

IT WOULD EXPAND HOURS AND LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING, AND IT WOULD REPEAL THE NEWLY ENACTED PHOTO I.D.

REQUIREMENT TO CAST A BALLOT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVE YOST REJECTED THE GROUP'S FIRST PETITION, BUT THE GROUP HAS RESUBMITTED NEW PETITION LANGUAGE.

AND IF APPROVED THAT GROUP WOULD START COLLECTING SIGNATURES.

MORGAN HARPER, THE GROUP, WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

DO THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET THIS ON THE BALLOT?

>> NOT TOTALLY CLEAR TO ME IF BUT THESE ARE POLICIES THAT ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR WITH VOTERS IN OHIO.

AND I FOR ONE AM HAPPY TO SEE THE EFFORT.

IT'S HARD TO ARGUE AGAINST THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE WE'RE INCREASING ACCESS TO VOTING IF YOU CARE ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN THE STATE OF OHIO.

AND WE HAVE SEEN SOME MOMENTUM AROUND THE BALLOT INITIATIVES IN THE PAST YEAR.

I WISH THEM THE BEST AND HOPE THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL FOR SURE.

>> THE MESSAGE WE WANT TO MAKE VOTING EASIER, BUT YOUR MESSAGE IS GOING TO OPEN US TO VOTER FRAUD, RIGHT?

>> TWO YEARS AGO, MIKE, OVER 0% OF THE VOTERS -- 70% OF THE VOTERS, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, LIBERALS, CONSERVATIVES, SAID YES, YOU HAVE TO BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, A RESIDENT TO VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

THAT'S A UNIVERSAL THING.

IF YOU PUT ON THE BALLOT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOW AN I.D., YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP AND VOTE WHICH IS GOING TO BE THE LEAD ISSUE ON THE SIDE, THE OPPOSING SIDE WHICH I'LL BE PART OF, OF COURSE, IT WILL FAIL MISERABLY.

LOOK, THE VOTERS SPOKE TWO YEARS AGO WHERE THEY ARE WITH ELECTIONS.

WE'VE GOT SAFE, SECURE ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A DROP BOX NOW.

WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

OUR VOTING LAWS ARE MORE LIBERAL THAN NEW YORK, THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IT'S HARDER TO VOTE NEW YORK THAN IT IS IN OHIO.

VOTERS ARE HAPPY WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, BASICALLY WHENEVER YOU INTERACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT, WHEN YOU GET YOUR CAR REGISTERED, YOU WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

IT'S LIKE -- I WOULDN'T SAY FORCING A RIGHT ON YOU, BUT IS THAT -- THAT'S WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, RIGHT, ANDREW?

>> YEAH.

THERE WOULD BE AN OPT-OUT OPTION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STATES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, MICHIGAN APPROVED A SIMILAR BALLOT ISSUE IN 2018 THAT HAD A LOT OF THE SAME REFORMS INCLUDING AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION ON IT.

I AGREE WITH MIKE THAT THE VOTER I.D.

THING IS GOING TO PROBABLY BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PART OF THIS IF IT MAKES IT THROUGH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER DETAILS, TOO, THAT FRANKLY I HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO LOOK THROUGH.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

STILL EARLY IN THE PROCESS.

>> WHAT'S WRONG WITH AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION?

IF YOU CAN OPT OUT, YOU'RE NOT MANDATING PEOPLE VOTE.

BUT IT CLEARS ONE HURDLE OUT OF THE WAY.

>> IT'S YOUR CIVIC DUTY.

YOU KNOW, STAND UP -- YOU HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT NOT TO VOTE.

TON AUTOMATICALLY BE -- NOT TO AUTOMATICALLY BE PUT IN.

WHEN MY SON TURNS 18, HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO REGISTER FOR SERVICE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, LIKE YOUR CHILDREN HAD TO, AS WELL.

BUT IT'S THE ACT OF DOING IT.

AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S -- WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT THAT WAY.

THE SYSTEM'S NOT BROKEN.

>> SEEMS BIG BROTHERISH, DOESN'T IT A LITTLE BIT?

>> THE AUTOMATIC VOTER -- I DON'T KNOW IF I AGREE ON THIS.

LIKE YOU SAID IT'S NOT FORCING ANYONE TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT BUT ENSURING THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME THAT AT SOME POINT WE DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO CHANGE.

ONE THAT COMES TO MIND, SLAVERY, FOR EXAMPLE.

AND SO JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING HAS BEEN A PRACTICE DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT CAN'T BE ALTERED BASED ON THE CURRENT STATE OF MIND OF THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY.

>> HOW ABOUT SAME DAY -- WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY NOW, YOU CAN HAVE SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE PERSON IS WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE.

I MEAN, WITH TECHNOLOGY AND DATABASES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY EASY THING TO DO THAT WOULD PROTECT THE VOTER ROLLS AND ALSO ALLOW EASIER ACCESS TO VOTING.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU, AND HAAS SOMETHING THE EDGE -- THAT'S SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD PASS WITH THE LAW.

LET THE LEGISLATURE SIT TOWN, ALLISON RUSSO, THE DEMOCRAT LEADER, CAN SIT WITH THE SPEAKER, COME UP WITH THE BEST PLAN, PUT IT IN REVISED CODE.

IF TECHNOLOGY CHANGES IN THREE YEARS, WE CAN AMEND IT.

LET'S DO IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPEN WILLINING -- HAPPENING, ANDREW?

>> THE LEGISLATURE PASSED VOTER RESTRICTIONS AND MIKE DeWINE HAD TO ASK THEM TO STOP THAT.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKELY AT THIS POINT.

>> GIVEN THE SUCCESS OF THE ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT AND THE LEGAL MARIJUANA PROPOSAL, IS THERE ANY CHANCE OF A COMPROMISE WITH THIS GROUP IF THEY START TO GAIN MOMENTUM, AS LAWMAKERS SAY, LOOK, WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE AGAIN, MAYBE WE CAN COME UP TO A COMPROMISE?

>> IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

I PERSONALLY AM HAPPY THAT THE VOTERS OF OHIO ARE RECOGNIZING THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB.

THEY DO NOT GOVERN.

THEY DON'T REACH EFFECTIVE COMPROMISES, AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IN THE STATE.

SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS AND START TO DEVELOP THE POLICY THAT WE THINK REFLECTS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

>> ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE -- THIS IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

YOU NEED HALF A MILLION SIGNATURES, GIVE OR TAKE, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO COLLECT AT LEAST 750 TO A MILLION SIGNATURES OVER THAT.

A LOT OF MONEY, ANDREW.

THESE LAST TWO WERE SUCCESSFUL, FAIRLY EASILY SUCCESSFUL.

MIGHT ENCOURAGE OTHERS, RIGHT?

>> I DO THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THESE.

ULTIMATELY NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE GROUPS WALKED AWAY THERE OHIO AFTER THE 2016 ELECTION, AND I THINK THE RESULTS OF THE MARIJUANA AND ABORTION ISSUES AND THE 60% CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN AUGUST SHOWED THE LEFT THAT THERE IS STUFF THEY CAN DO HERE THAT THEY CAN WIN IF IT'S THE RIGHT POLICY, IF IT'S THE RIGHT PROPOSAL.

WE'LL SEE MORE FUNDING RESULTING IN MORE BALLOT ISSUES.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IF BOTH QUESTIONS ARE ON THE BALLOT, THE REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT AND THIS VOTER ACCESS?

DO THEY HELP EACH OTHER?

DOES ONE HURT THE OTHER?

>> I THINK THEY'RE COMPLEMENTARY.

THEY'RE BOTH GETTING AT ELECTORAL EQUITY AND ACCESS AND ISSUES OF DEMOCRACY.

AND WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH POLLING THAT THOSE ARE POPULAR ISSUES WITH ESPECIALLY A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC VOTERS.

IT REACHES INTO INDEPENDENTS, AS WELL.

AND IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR, I THINK IT HAS THE ABILITY TO INCREASE TURNOUT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK, MIKE, WOULD IT BE A CAMPAIGN VOTE AGAINST ONE AND TWO OR THREE AND FOUR, WHATEVER THE NUMBERS MIGHT BE?

>> AND MAUREEN O'CONNOR AND I AREN'T FRIENDS BURKS SHE DOESN'T WANT IT ON THE BALLOT DURING REDISTRICTING.

THE POWER OF THE PHOTO I.D.

CUTS ACROSS PARTY LINES.

I THINK THE AVERAGE PERSON SAYS YOU SHOULD SHOW AN I.D.

WHEN YOU VOTE.

>> OUR LAST TOPIC, WHILE A LOT OF ATTENTION FOCUSES ON BOOK BANS AND CULTURE WARS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEALS, A SERIOUS PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED THAT HAS WIDER CONSEQUENCES.

A LOT OF KIDS ARE MISSING A LOT OF SCHOOL.

MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR OHIO STUDENTS WAS CHRONICALLY ABSENT LAST YEAR, MISSING ABOUT THREE WEEKS WORTH OF SCHOOLING.

COLUMBUS HAS A CHRONIC ABSENCE KEEP RATE OF 65%.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM RATES HAVE INCREASED SHARPLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC SCHOOL CLOSURES, DISTRICTS HAVE INCREASED EFFORTS TO GET KIDS INTO CLASS.

AND NOW AT THE STATE HOUSE, A BIPARTISAN PAIR OF LAWMAKERS HAVE INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WOULD PAY STUDENTS IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS UP TO $500 TO ATTEND CLASS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

MORGAN HARPER, LOOKING AT THE PANDEMIC AND THE SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY, THAT REALLY HAS INCREASED THE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.

IN HINDSIGHT, DID WE GIVE PARENTS AND STUDENTS AN EXCUSE NOT TO GO TO SCHOOL?

DID WE, YOU KNOW, SAY IT'S NOT AS IMPORTANT AS WE THOUGHT IT WAS?

>> I MEAN, I DO THINK IT'S HARD TO DENY THE PANDEMIC HAD AN IMPACT AND GETTING OUT OF THE HABIT OF GOING TO SCHOOL FOR SOME STUDENTS OR HAVING THAT IN-PERSON EXPERIENCE HAD AN IMPACT.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES AS THEY ARE NOW.

I THINK THERE ARE A RANGE OF IMPACTS THAT ARE INCREASING OR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ABSENTEEISM PROBLEM.

CONSIDERING INCENTIVES THAT ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IS IMPORTANT.

IT'S NOT JUST A KID ISSUE, NOT JUST AN EDUCATION ISSUE.

THIS ULTIMATELY IS ALSO AN ECONOMIC ISSUE FOR THE STATE.

THIS IS SOMETHING -- WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE AND WHICH ISSUES GET ATTENTION.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING FOR DEMOCRATS TO START TALKING MORE ABOUT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PARENTS WILL CARE ABOUT.

AND IF YOU'RE COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS THAT ARE DEALING WITH IMPROVING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE, TO ME THAT'S A POLITICAL WIN.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS, MIKE, THAT LOW-INCOME PARENTS WORKING TWO JOBS, MAYBE AN EARLY JOB AT A RESTAURANT OR OVERNIGHT SHIFT AND THE KIDS ARE ON THEIR OWN TO GET TO SCHOOL.

LOT OF THOSE ISSUES ARE OUT THERE.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY PEOPLE AREN'T GOING.

>> I DON'T KNOW, MIKE.

I GREW UP IN A POOR HOUSEHOLD.

MY MOM WAS A WAITETS ARE, MY DAD -- WAITRESS, MY DAD WAS A CARPENTER.

IF I MISSED SCHOOL, MY DAD WOULD KICK MY BUTT.

WE NEED PARENTS TO BE MORE DISCIPLINARIAN, KNOW WHAT KIDS ARE DOING, RAISE THEM LEAD BALLOON THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE TAX DOLLARS TO GO TO SCHOOL.

HE'S A MENTOR OF MINE, BUT HE'S WRONG ON THIS.

WE NEED PARENTS TO BE BETTER PARENTS.

>> THIS SHOWS THAT -- IT SHOWS -- IT'S CREATIVE ON ONE SIDE, ONE MIGHT SAY DESPERATE ON ANOTHER.

ANDREW?

IT SHOWS -- IS IT ON THE RADAR OF LAWMAKERS AT THIS POINT?

>> I DO LIKE THAT THERE'S SOME KIND OF LIKE POLICY PROPOSALS THESE DAYS KIND OF GRAVITATE MORE TOWARD -- GIVE PEOPLE MONEY DIRECTLY, CUTS OUT THE MIDDLE MAN.

THAT'S HOW IT STOOD OUT TO ME.

THEY'RE CLEARLY LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

IT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT WE HAVE LESS IN THE PEN -- LESSENED THE PENALTIES ON TRUANCY.

PERHAPS THEY WENT TOO FAR.

BUT THERE'S NO STICK.

SO SHOULD THERE BE MORE OF A PENALTY FOR TWO PARENTS OR STUDENTS WHO MISS SCHOOL?

>> I THINK THAT IS ONE TACTIC THAT WE HAVE TRIED PREVIOUSLY.

DO THINK SOME OF THE ECONOMIC ISSUES THAT YOU REFERENCED THAT IMPACT THIS PROBLEM, IT'S NOT JUST THAT PARENTS DON'T WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE IN SCHOOL.

IT'S A LOT OF PARENTS WORKING ALSO HAVING UNPREDICTABLE SCHEDULES DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF JOB THAT THEY HAVE.

IT'S HARD TO ENFORCE STRUCTURE IN THE HOME IN THE WAY WHEN A LOT OF US WERE GROWING UP, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR PARENTS' JOBS WERE.

THE ECONOMY HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT.

WE'RE PUTTING PRESSURE ON WORKING PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THEIR LIVES.

THIS IS ONE OF THE DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS OF THAT.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, BUT WE KNOW PREVIOUSLY WHAT MAYBE HAS NOT WORKED IN THE BEST WAY FOR KIDS.

>> MIKE, YOU MENTIONED YOU DIDN'T WANT TO SEE TAXPAYER DOLLARS USED TO PAY STUDENTS TO GO TO SCHOOL.

WHAT ABOUT PAYING FOR MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO VISIT HOMES AND FIND OUT WHY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL AND GETTING THEM INTO CLASS?

>> AWESOME IDEA, MIKE.

THAT'S A GREAT SOLUTION AS OPPOSEDED TO PAYING KIDS TO GO TO FIFTH GRADE.

>> THIS WEEK IN THE COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAS THE HOLIDAY MONDAY.

THEY HAD A TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY TUESDAY, FLOW CLASS.

TEACHER RECORDS DAY ON WEDNESDAY, SO NO CLASS.

THEY WENT TO CLASS ON THURSDAY, AND IT SHOW -- IT SNOWED ON FRIDAY.

THE SCHEDULE ITSELF SHOWS THE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION MAY NOT BE THAT IMPORTANT, RIGHT?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S FAIR TO TAKE ONE WEEK AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE ACADEMIC YEAR.

BUT THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT IT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER LARGE DISTRICTS IN PARTICULAR ACROSS THE STATE, THAT ARE STRUGGLING, THAT ARE NOT BEING TRAINED FOR -- TO SUCCEED IN ADULT LIFE.

AND WE NEED TO CONSIDER THIS A REAL EMERGENCY.

AND THAT IS ANOTHER REASON WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT THAT WANT TO GOVERN, THAT WANT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

IT'S A FRUSTRATION OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING OUT OF THE STATE HOUSE AND THE DISINVESTMENT IN EDUCATION.

>> BUT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENTS, WHATEVER IT'S CALLED NOW, THEY ARE MONITORING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.

WE GET A REPORT EVERY YEAR ON THAT.

>> LIKE WE SAID BEFORE, PEOPLE ARE SO BEREFT FOR SOLUTIONS THEY'RE CONSIDERING GIVING MONEY.

I'M SURE SOMETHING THEY'RE CONSIDERING.

IT'S AN ELUSIVE PROBLEM.

>>> TO OUR FINAL "OFF THE RECORD" PARTING SHOTS.

MORGAN HARPER, YOU'RE UP FIRST.

>> THIS IS A BIG WEEK IN THE AIRLINE SPACE.

THE JETBLUE-SPIRIT MERGER WAS BLOCKED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANTITRUST SITE SOOUT AND A JUDGE IN -- SUIT AND A JUDGE DECIDED THEY COULD NOT MERGE.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CHEAP FLIGHTS ON SPIRIT AIRWAYS, THIS IS A VICTORY.

THEY SHOULD HAVE FOLDED UP SHOP IF THIS WASN'T BLOCKED.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW CLOSE THE RACE IS FOR REPUBLICANS.

I THINK THE DEBATE MONDAY, WHICH WILL BE TELEVISED STATEWIDE, I HOPE PEOPLE TUNE IN OR WATCH ON TWITTER, I THINK IT'S SO HIGH STIEX IT'S GOING TO -- STAKES IT'S GOING TO DECIDE WHO'S ON TOP.

>> ANDREW?

>> JUST A POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT THAT'S AMUSED ME IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IS HOW AFTER THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN NOVEMBER, THAT MIKE DeWINE HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR LEGALIZATION TO BE BASICALLY IMMEDIATELY INSTITUTED.

IT'S JUST NOT A POSITION I IMAGINED HE WOULD FIND HIMSELF IN.

HE SAID THAT AGAIN THIS WEEK WHEN HE'S PUSHING FOR GREATER REGULATION OF DELTA EIGHT, DIET WEED, A FUN TERM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVERREACH, OF COURSE, AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TELLING STATES IT CAN NO LONGER PUT THOSE FUNNY ROAD SIGNS, YOU KNOW, LIKE FRAGILE, YOUR CAR CONTENTS ARE FRAGILE, SLOW DOWN.

TOO BAD.

GOOD LUCK TO THE OSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM THIS WEEKEND FACING THE ALL-WORLD CAITLYN CLARK IN IOWA WOMEN'S TEAM.

GOOD LUCK TO THEM.

>>> THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

WATCH ANY TIME AT WOSU.ORG/COTR, ALSO ON YOUTUBE AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

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

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.