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>>> OHIO DEMOCRATS COUNT ON
SOCIAL ISSUES TO WIN IN 2014.
>> FROM WOSU AND COSI, THIS IS
"COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."
JOINING MIKE THOMPSON, JIM
SEGAL, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR
"THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH."
JEWELRY CURTIS MIKE FOR THE
ASSOCIATED PRESS.
JEAN KREBS, TERM LEGISLATURE.
AND BRIAN ROBINBURG, DIRECTOR OF
"PROGRESS OHIO."
>> IN THE EARLY 2000s
REPUBLICANS USED ISSUES LIKE
ABORTION AND GAY MARRIAGE TO
MOBILIZE SUPPORT.
NOW OHIO DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING
THE SAME TACTIC.
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ED
FITZGERALD AND OTHER TOP
DEMOCRATS SAID THIS WEEK THEY
WILL CAMPAIGN HARD AGAINST
ABORTION RESTRICTIONS PUT IN
PLACE BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS
AND GOVERNOR JOHN KASICH.
DURING KASICH'S TERM, STATE
LAWMAKERS HAVE APPROVED MEASURES
THAT INCLUDE BAN ON ABORTIONS
AFTER A FETUS IS VIABLE UNLESS A
MOTHER'S LIFE IS IN DANGER.
SEEKING AN ABORTION REQUIRED TO
VIEW AN ULTRASOUND AND HEAR A
FETAL HEARTBEAT.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING
PUSHED TO THE BACK OF THE LINE.
THE STATE BANS PUBLIC HOSPITALS
FROM SIGNING PATIENT TRANSFER
AGREEMENTS WITH ABORTION
CLINICS.
THAT LAST RESTRICTION IS BEING
BLAMED FOR THE ORDERED CLOSURE
OF A CINCINNATI-AREA ABORTION
CLINIC THIS WEEK.
>> RIGHT.
IT'S BEEN DESCRIBED BY THOSE WHO
THINK THE LIMIT IS INTENDED TO
EFFECTIVELY KIND OF BAN THE
PRACTICE AS SORT OF A CATCH-22.
BECAUSE WHAT IT SAYS IS, OKAY,
YOU CAN OPERATE BECAUSE
ABORTIONS ARE STILL LEGAL.
HOWEVER, YOU NEED THE TRANSFER
AGREEMENT, WHICH ANY AMBULATORY
FACILITY IN THE STATE, DOESN'T
MATTER IF YOU'RE DOING ABORTIONS
OR NOT.
BUT IF YOU'RE A PUBLIC HOSPITAL
YOU CAN'T GIVE SUCH AN AGREEMENT
TO AN ABORTION CLINIC.
SO IT'S SORT OF A STRANGE --
>> MANY OF THE PRIVATE
HOSPITALS, CATHOLIC HOSPITALS OR
RELIGIOUS BASED, AND MAY OFTEN,
FOR MORAL REASONS, WON'T ENTER
INTO THESE AGREEMENTS.
>> RIGHT.
SO WE'VE SEEN FOUR ABORTION
CLINICS CLOSE IN THE LAST YEAR
IN OHIO.
TWO FOR UNRELATED REASONS, TWO
BECAUSE OF FEARS OR JUST SORT OF
UNDERSTANDINGS THAT THEY WOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO GET SUCH AN
AGREEMENT.
AND THERE MAY BE MORE TO COME.
>> SO THIS IS THE SO-CALLED WAR
ON WOMEN.
IS THAT A GOOD STRATEGY FOR
DEMOCRATS?
>> WELL, IT WON IN VIRGINIA,
UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAD A VERY
RADICAL FAR-RIGHT GOVERNMENT AND
THEY LOST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
RACE, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, THEY
LOST I BELIEVE IN THE STATE
SENATE.
SO I DO THINK THIS IS PLAYING
OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU, I MEAN,
IT'S -- IT'S CLEAR RIGHT NOW
THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE EVEN
FIGHTING AMONGST THEMSELVES
ABOUT WHO CAN GO FARTHER RIGHT
AND WOMEN ARE LEFT OUT OF THIS
DIALOGUE COMPLETELY.
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, KASICH IS NOT CUCCINELLI.
CUCCINELLI WAS RATHER -- I WON'T
GO INTO THE GRAPHIC DETAILS,
SOME OF THE BILLS, TOO GRAPHIC
FOR PBS.
SO IT HAS HAD THE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES, THOUGH, OF AT
LEAST FOR NOW BRINGING BACK
UNDER KASICH'S FOLD SOME OF THE
TEA PARTY AND SOCIAL
CONSERVATIVES WHO WERE
STANDOFFISH TOWARDS THEM.
BECAUSE NAMING A LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO'S ON THE
BOARD OF A PLANNED PARENTHOOD,
THEY JUST SIMPLY TOOK THAT AS A
RED FLAG IN FRONT OF THE BULL
AND THEY'RE NOW -- IT'S
GALVANIZING THEM.
I DON'T THINK IT COULD HAVE
HELPED FROM A POLITICAL
STANDPOINT.
I THINK FROM GETTING OUT THE
DEMOCRAT BASE, IT WAS PROBABLY A
NEUTRAL TO MAYBE 1% INCREASE.
BUT FOR KASICH, I THINK IT WAS
INADVERTENTLY HELP BY THE
DEMOCRATS.
>> JOHN KASICH HAS SIGNED AND
ENDORSED THESE RESTRICTIONS BY
SIGNING BILLS THEY WERE ATTACHED
TO.
HE REALLY HASN'T BEEN OUT
LEADING THE CHARGE.
CAN HE BE PORTRAYED AS RADICAL
REPUBLICAN?
>> WELL, HE CAN IF THAT'S HOW
YOU WANT TO TRY TO DO IT, YES.
HE SIGNED THEM.
NOW IF THE QUESTION IS, DID HE
WANT FIVE ANTI-ABORTION
PROVISIONS IN HIS BUDGET SO
THAT'S WHAT HE HAS TO TALK
ABOUT, RATHER THAN THE TAX CUTS
AND THE OTHER THINGS?
I'M GOING TO THINK THE ANSWER
THERE IS PRETTY MUCH NO.
BUT HE IS PRO -- HE'S PRO-LIFE
AND STANDS BEHIND THESE TYPES OF
THINGS, WHEN THEY COME TO HIS
DESK HE WILL SIGN THEM.
I THINK -- SEEMS LIKE THE
DEMOCRATS, WE'RE ALREADY HEARING
FROM THEM ON THIS, THEY WANT TO
TRY TO MAKE THIS A BROADER TOPIC
ABOUT WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES, NOT
JUST ABORTION.
NOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE AN
INTERESTING SPINNING OF WORDS.
BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE ISSUES
THEY ARE POINTING TO ARE
ABORTION-RELATED.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW THEY CAN PORTRAY THIS TO THE
PUBLIC.
>> IT IS AND IT ISN'T.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, IF YOU
LOOK AT THAT IN THIS FUNDAMENTAL
ISSUE OF THE ELECTION, WHICH
WILL BE THE ECONOMY, THEY HAVE
SOME STATISTICS IN THEIR FAVOR
IN TERMS OF WOMEN BREAD WINNERS
IN THE STATE, WOMEN WHO ARE
WORKING WHILE MEN ARE UNEMPLOYED
IN THE STATE, THEY PROBABLY FEEL
THEY HAVE A BROADER AUDIENCE
THERE THEY CAN REACH IN TERMS OF
THE START WHAT WAS WE SAW IN THE
RHETORIC THIS WEEK TO SAY, YOU
KNOW, WOMEN'S HEALTH IS AN
ECONOMIC ISSUE.
>> AND AVERAGE FOLKS, THESE
FOLKS THAT ARE SWING VOTERS,
THEY KNOW THIS IS THE LAW.
THEY SEE THESE GAMES AND THIS
FIGHTING GOING ON ALL THE TIME.
AND THE LOGIC OF WHAT WE'RE
DOING HERE DOESN'T MAKE A WHOLE
LOT OF SENSE, WHERE WE'RE
FIGHTING OVER THESE ISSUES OVER
ABORTION, WE WANT TO SOLVE THESE
PROBLEMS, WE WANT UNWANTED
PREGNANCIES, PEOPLE TO CARRY
THESE BABIES TO TERM, BUT WE'RE
GOING TO CUT THEM OFF OF FOOD
STAMPS AND CREATE HURDLES WITH
MEDICAID AND MEDICARE AND WE'RE
GOING TO MAKE IT HARD ARE FOR
THEM TO ACTUALLY RAISE --
>> THE GOVERNOR EXPANDED
MEDICAID.
>> HE DID AND HE DIDN'T.
ALSO 10,000 PEOPLE THIS WEEK
WOUND UP CUT OFF OF FOOD STAMPS.
>> I THINK YOU NEED TO DIVIDE
REPUBLICANS INTO TWO GROUPS
BROADLY SPEAKING.
THOSE REPUBLICANS WHO WATCH SEAN
HANNITY AND RUSH LIMBAUGH,
LISTEN TO ON THEM ON THE RADIO.
AND THE NPR GOP, REPUBLICANS WHO
GET THEIR NEWS OFF NPR.
IN TALKING TO THE NPR GOP, THEY
REALLY LIKE WHAT KASICH HAS DONE
WITH EXPANSION OF MEDICAID.
THEY VIEW THAT AS BEING A
POSITIVE GOOD.
THIS IS A SWING VOTE A LITTLE
BIT ON THIS ABORTION ISSUE.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT FOR THE
FIRST TIME EVER, THE GOVERNOR --
THE GOVERNMENT, STATE OF OHIO,
IS FUNDING *** CRISIS CENTERS.
SO AS FAR AS THE WAR ON WOMEN
GOES, THE DEMOCRATS CAN MAKE
THAT ARGUMENT.
BUT THE GOP HAS I THINK LOTS OF
AMMUNITION THEY CAN PUT BACK UP
THERE AGAINST IT FAIRLY QUICKLY.
I DON'T SEE IT GETTING -- IF IT
WAS SUCH A GREAT STRATEGY, IT
JUST CAME OUT WITH SHARON
NEWHART COMING ON BOARD -- THIS
WASN'T THERE WITH ERIC KERNEY.
>> AREN'T THE *** CRISIS
FUNDING, ISN'T THAT A LOOP -- A
CATCH THERE YOU CAN'T DISCUSS
ABORTION IN THE COUNSELLING?
>> CAN'T RECOMMEND AN ABORTION.
BUT THE THING IS TOO THAT THEY
HAVEN'T OVERTLY TAKEN CREDIT FOR
IT BUT THE MORE MODERATE
REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE
BLOCKING HEARTBEAT BILL, FOR
EXAMPLE, WHICH WOULD BE THE MOST
STRINGENT ABORTION RESTRICTION
IN THE COUNTRY.
SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A
SENSE THAT IN OHIO, THERE'S NOT
AN APPETITE FOR THAT, GOING
QUITE THAT FAR.
AND WHO KNOWS IF KASICH IS
BEHIND IT.
BUT CERTAINLY NOBODY WANTS TO
PUT IT ON HIS DESK.
>> DIVIDE THE ABORTION
OPPONENTS, RIGHT TO LIFE, HAS
BEEN SPENT CALL OF THAT AND
WHETHER THEY SHOULD GO FOR IT OR
NOT.
NEXT TOPIC, IN THE MID OF
DECISION 2014 THERE SEEMS TO BE
INDECISION.
LAST MONTH HAMILTON COUNTY
COMMISSIONER TODD PORTUNA
ANNOUNCED HE WAS EXPLOEFRING A
RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
HE WENT ON A TOUR OF THE STATE
GAUGING SUPPORT.
THE CROWDS HAVE BEEN SMALL.
"THE PLAIN DEALER" REPORTS NINE
PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT AN EVENT IN
LIMA.
SO THIS WEEK PORTUNA WAS SET TO
ANNOUNCE SOMETHING.
WHETHER HE'S IN, WHETHER HE'S
OUT.
STILL HE WAFFLED.
>> I HAVE NOW MADE THE FINAL
DECISION THAT I WILL FILE.
SO LONG AS WE CAN CLEAR THE LAST
TWO HURDLES.
AND THAT IS TO SECURE AN
APPROPRIATE CANDIDATE FOR THE
OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
AND THEN HAVING CONCLUDED THAT
PROCESS, CIRCULATE THE PETITIONS
NECESSARY.
>> SO THE TRANSLATION IS HE WILL
RUN IF HE DECIDES TO RUN.
MEANWHILE, ED FITZGERALD
CONTINUES CAMPAIGNING, SEEMINGLY
UNFAZED.
>> WHAT HE'S FINDING IS THAT TO
RUN A VIABLE CAMPAIGN, YOU NEED
A LONG HEAD START.
AND I THINK HE'S PROBABLY GOING
TO FIND THAT OUT.
BUT I'VE JUST REALLY BEEN
FOCUSING ON THE GOVERNOR.
I HAVEN'T HAD A SINGLE CRITICISM
OF MR. PORTUNE AND I DON'T
ANTICIPATE DOING THAT.
>> JIM SEGAL, WE ARE A WEEK AND
A HALF AWAY FROM THE FILING
DEADLINE.
>> RIGHT.
>> WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
>> WELL, I MEAN, LOOK.
TOM PORTUNE ALSO SAID, AT THIS
POINT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO
GET A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
CANDIDATE TO RUN WITH ME."
A LITTLE EARLIER DOING THIS TOUR
AROUND OHIO TO GET A SENSE OF
HIS SUPPORT, HE ADMITTED, "I'VE
BEEN UNINVITED TO THREE
DIFFERENT EVENTS AND HAD TWO
OTHERS CANCEL."
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A GUY WHO'S
SERIOUS ABOUT RUNNING FOR
GOVERNOR?
IT DOESN'T.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANY SERIOUS
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE WHO
WOULD BE SAYING, I CAN'T FIND
SOMEONE TO RUN WITH ME.
SO, I MEAN, HE'S HAD A HISTORY
OF DIPPING HIS TOE INTO WATERS
BEFORE.
I HEARD PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT
THAT FROM ALMOST THE MOMENT HE
SAID THAT HE MIGHT RUN.
SO I GUESS, YOU KNOW, THE
INDECISION, I GUESS WE'LL LET
ITLING OVER A LITTLE MORE BUT
I'M NOT SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE
ANY STORY HERE AT THE END.
>> HE SAYS IF THERE WAS A
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, IT WOULD
STRENGTHEN WHOEVER WINS --
>> NORMALLY I THINK THE
PRIMARIES CAN BE GOOD.
THERE WAS -- EVEN IF THEY DON'T
COME TO FRUITION, LIKE WITH
STRICKLAND AND COLEMAN.
BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU.
THERE'S 11 MILLION PEOPLE IN
OHIO.
YOU HAVEN'T FOUND YOUR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR YET?
THE SIGNATURES NEEDED TO GATHER
ARE IN THE THOUSANDS.
THEY'RE NOT IN THE TENS OF
THOUSANDS.
I MEAN, LOOK.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, TODD'S A
GREAT GUY, I'VE MET HIM, I'VE
WORKED WITH HIM A LITTLE BIT IN
PREVIOUS JOBS.
BUT HE JUST NEEDS TO COME CLEAN
AND BE HONEST WITH BOTH THE
PRESS CORPS AND OHIOANS.
IF THAT'S WHERE HE'S AT, THIS
ISN'T A CAMPAIGN.
>> BUT, I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT
IT, HE THREW A HUGE SIGNAL INTO
THE AIR, HAD ANYBODY WANTED TO
REPLACE ED FITZGERALD.
AND I THINK THAT ED HAS HAD A
LOT OF MISSTEPS.
INCLUDING KERNEY AS HIS RUNNING
MATE.
HIS TIMING WAS PRETTY GOOD FROM
THAT STANDPOINT.
HAD ANYBODY WANTED TO BAIL ON
THE PRIMARY ENDORSED OR
PRESUMABLY ENDORSED CANDIDATE OF
THE DEMOCRATS, THAT WOULD HAVE
BEEN THE MOMENT.
BUT CLEARLY BEHIND THE SCENES
HE'S BEING TOLD THERE'S NO MONEY
TO BE HAD, THE UNIONS DON'T WANT
TO BACK YOU, AND THEY'RE THE BIG
MONEY HERE.
>> SO HE'S TRYING TO KEEP THIS
TRIAL BALLOON IN THE AIR
BASICALLY UP TO THE LAST MINUTE?
>> YEAH.
THE THING IS FITZGERALD'S ALSO
HAD DIFFICULTY LOCATING PROPER
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE.
MY SOURCES INSIDE OF THE
DEMOCRAT STRUCTURE, WHICH ARE
VERY GOOD, SAY THAT NEWHART WAS
NOT HIS FIRST CHOICE, IT WAS
MORE LIKE HIS SEVENTH CHOICE.
AND SO IT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO
DEFINE BECAUSE A WHOLE LOT OF
PEOPLE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO RUN
WITHOUT COVER.
GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR
CURRENT ELECTED POSITIONS IN
ORDER TO RUN.
AND PEOPLE WERE RELUCTANT TO DO
THAT.
THIS WHOLE RACE REMINDS ME --
I'M ONE OF THOSE WHO BELIEVES IN
THESE MACRO CYCLES.
THIS IS THE LAST MIDTERM
ELECTION OF A LAME DUCK
PRESIDENT AND THAT IS ALWAYS BAD
NEWS FOR HIS PARTY.
AND SO THIS LATEST -- LIKE 2006,
WHEN THERE WAS -- PETRO VERSUS
BLACKWELL, WE KNEW THEY WERE
BOTH GOING TO LOSE TO TED.
EVERYBODY AGREED PIETRO WOULD
HAVE KEPT THE MARGIN TO 4 --
>> I LOVE YOU, MAN, BUT THIS IS
A TIGHT RACE.
EVERY POLL THAT HAS COME OUT
SHOWS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT
OVER 50%.
AND HOVERING.
AND THEY ALL SHOW THIS
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE AT 41 OR 42
EVEN AFTER THE KERNEY SITUATION.
THIS IS A FIVE-POINT SWING.
AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN SIT
HERE AND SAY THAT THIS ISN'T A
RACE.
>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF MIKE
COLEMAN THIS WEEK?
HE WAS IN D.C. REALLY PUSHING
HARD FOR THE GOP CONVENTION TO
BE IN COLUMBUS, HE PUSHED HARD
FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
CONVENTION TO BE HERE AS WELL.
HE COMPLIMENTED JOHN KASICH
SAYING, HE'S NOT A DARK HORSE
FOR PRESIDENT.
HE SAYS TO REPUBLICANS, IF YOU
WANT TO WIN OHIO YOU'VE GOT TO
COME HERE.
HE'S A DEMOCRAT, OF COURSE.
HE'S SELLING THE CITY --
>> TO SELL THE CITY YOU NEED TO
GET THE REPUBLICANS TO BUY WHAT
YOU'RE SELLING.
PART OF THAT IS SAYING, HEY,
LOOK.
I MAY BE THE DEMOCRATIC MAYOR OF
COLUMBUS, BUT I CAN SEE WHERE
YOU GUYS HAVE SOME POTENTIAL.
SO I THINK THAT'S ALL PART OF
THE SALES PITCH.
AND MIKE COLEMAN SOMETIMES HAS
NOT BEEN FRIENDLY WITH EVERYONE
IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
HE DOES HAVE SOME MODERATE
STREAK IN HIM TOO.
SO IT WASN'T -- I WASN'T REAL
SURPRISED.
>> A SWING CITY, WIND A SWING
STATE, YOU KNOW.
IT'S A CONSUMER TEST MARKET, A
POLITICAL PURPLE.
>> THAT'S WHAT HE TOLD THE
DEMOCRATS.
>> COME TO OHIO!
>> ALSO PUSHING THE REPUBLICANS
HARD, SO YOU DEMOCRATS BETTER
GET OFF THE DIME.
>> I THINK THE KEY THING IT GOES
TO, THE FACT THAT THIS GOVERNOR
JOHN KASICH HAS DONE I THINK A
SUPERB JOB OF ATTEMPTING TO
BUILD BRIDGES AND MEND FENCES
WITH THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY, BLACK ELECTED
LEADERSHIP.
I MEAN, JACKSON IN CLEVELAND AND
COLEMAN DON'T REALLY HAVE A
WHOLE LOT OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL
FEELING.
>> JACKSON HAS ENDORSED
FITZGERALD, ISSUES OF VOTING
RIGHTS, THIS GOVERNOR HAS NOT
TRIED TO PROTECT THAT COMMUNITY
ON VOTING RIGHTS ISSUES.
>> IF VOTERS IN OHIO MAKE A
DECISION AND LATER REGET IT,
THEY CAN'T UNDO IT UNTIL THE
NEXT ELECTION.
THE OHIO CONSTITUTION DOES NOT
ALLOW FOR RECALL ELECTIONS.
NOW A COUPLE OF LAWMAKERS WHO
DISAGREE ON JUST ABOUT
EVERYTHING WANT TO CHANGE THAT.
REPUBLICAN JOHN BECKER AND
DEMOCRAT BOB HAGAN WANT TO GIVE
VOTERS A CHANCE TO KICK OUT
SITTING POLITICIANS.
AS FIRST REPORTED?
"THE DISPATCH" THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW VOTERS TO
RECALL ANY ELECTED POLITICIAN IN
THE STATE.
THIS WAS A STORY BACK WHEN
SENATE BILL 5 WAS BEING
REPEALED.
IN OHIO OPPONENTS TO THE BILL
COULD NOT KICK OUT JOHN KASICH,
THEY HAD TO GO FOR THE
LEGISLATION.
IN WISCONSIN THEY TRIED TO KICK
OUT SCOTT WALK LETTER ARE WHICH
IS BETTER?
>> I THINK THIS IS NOT ABOUT
EITHER.
THE WAY I LOOK AT THIS, THIS IS
THE MAYOR OF TORONTO, ROB FORD,
ISSUE.
THEY COULD NOT GET RID OF ROB
FORD EVEN AFTER THAT DEBACLE IN
TORONTO.
I DO THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A
MECHANISM BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO
TURN ALL OL POLITICS INTO A
CIRCUS.
I THINK THE TRIGGER HAS TO BE A
HIGH ENOUGH THRESHOLD THAT THERE
HAS TO BE ENOUGH VOTER ANGER TO
JUSTIFY IT.
>> I WOULD SAY, CHOOSE ONE.
WISCONSIN DOES NOT HAVE BOTH.
THEY HAVE RECALLS.
YOU CANNOT GO IN AND HAVE A
REFERENDUM ON ANYTHING THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY UP THERE DOES.
DO WE WANT TO HAVE BOTH?
PROBABLY NOT.
IN IF WE WANT TO HAVE A RECALL,
WE NEED TO DO AWAY WITH THE
VOTER-DRIVEN INITIATIVE.
THEN IT WILL BECOME VERY MUCH
THE POLLS.
WE SET UP THIS SYSTEM AS A
REPRESENTATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
NOT A DIRECT DEMOCRACY.
FOR THOSE REASONS, TO GIVE
PEOPLE MORE TIME, GET THINGS
EDUCATED, KIND OF COOL THINS
DOWN, NOT LET MOB RULE.
>> THE FACT THAT THIS IS
BIPARTISAN, DOES THAT MAKE A
DIFFERENCE?
>> SOMETIMES IT DOES.
I'M NOT SURE IT DOES IN THIS
CASE.
BECAUSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ONE
OF THE TOP THREE MOST LIBERAL
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND ONE OF
THE TOP THREE MOST CONSERVATIVE
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE JOINING UP.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE
OF FOLKS WHO ARE IN LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS AND ARE -- AND BRING
WITH THEM A LARGE GROUP OF
FOLKS.
SO I'M NOT SURE.
BUT -- THOUGH I'M NOT SURPRISED
EITHER.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE TWO OF
THEM, THE WAY THEY VIEW THESE
THINGS, I KNOW BOBBY HAGAN WAS
TRYING TO GET THIS DONE BACK IN
2011.
BUT -- AND JOHN BECKER IS
ALWAYS -- IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT
WE CAN DO TO POKE THE
GOVERNMENT, JOHN BECKER'S
USUALLY HAPPY TO OBLIGE.
SO -- BUT I DON'T -- I DON'T
THINK THIS GOES ANYWHERE, THE
SPEAKER HAS ALREADY KIND OF
DISMISSED IT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THE FALLOUT FROM LAST WEEK'S
EXECUTION CONTINUES.
WITNESSES SAY DENNIS McGUIRE
STRUGGLED, GROANED, GASPED FOR
BREATH FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS HE
DIED FROM A NEW METHOD OF LETHAL
INJECTION.
McGUIRE WAS EXECUTED FOR RAPING
AND STRANGLING AND STABBING AND
CUTTING THE THROAT OF A YOUNG
PREGNANT WOMAN.
BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE
EXECUTION, DEMOCRATS HAVE CALLED
FOR AT LEAST A MORATORIUM ON THE
DEATH PENALTY IN OHIO.
OTHERS WANT A COMPLETE BAN.
THE NEXT EXECUTION IS SCHEDULED
FOR MARCH.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT GETS
PUT ON HOLD?
>> I THINK THEY'RE VERY HIGH.
I REALLY DO.
I THINK WHETHER IT'S A FULL
MORATORIUM OR WHETHER THE
PARTICULAR LEGAL ISSUES THAT
THIS NEXT INMATE BRINGS IN A
PERSONAL -- IN HIS PERSONAL SUIT
ARE PROBABLY GOING TO WEIGH
PRETTY HEAVILY ON A JUDGE'S
MIND.
>> THEY HAVE TAKEN A STEP BACK
AND HALTED THEM BEFORE WHEN
THERE'S BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE
EXECUTIONS.
>> RIGHT.
AND, I MEAN, THIS IS JUST
DRAWING ATTENTION ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.
WE'VE SEEN THE ACLU HOP IN TO
CALL FOR A MORATORIUM IN THE
LAST WEEK AS WELL AS GROUPS IN
OTHER STATES.
AND I JUST THINK THAT IT'S --
IT'S CONCERNING TO EVERYBODY
INVOLVED THAT THEY WANT THE
PROCESS NEXT TIME TO GO
SMOOTHLY.
>> RICHARD LOT, WHO I THINK IS
NEXT TO BE EXECUTED ON THE LIST,
HAS NOW ASKED A FEDERAL JUDGE TO
PUT IT ON HOLD.
I THINK HE'S ARGUING THAT THE
DRUG MIX COULD LEAVE A PERSON
CLINICALLY STILL ALIVE FOR
SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER HE IS
DECLARED DEAD.
I'M NOT ABOUT TO SPEAK TO THE
MEDICAL RATIONALE BEHIND THAT.
BUT THAT'S THE KIND OF THINGS
THAT ARE BEING DEBATED RIGHT
NOW.
WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO A NEW
MIX OF DRUGS, YOU'RE JUST NOT
QUITE SURE.
WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE RESULT?
THEY'D HOPED.
TO ME IT JUST GOES TO ONE OF THE
MORE FASCINATING ASPECTS OF THE
DEATH PENALTY.
THERE'S A THOUSAND WAYS TO KILL
A PERSON, BUT TRY TO THINK OF
ONE THAT DOES SO HUMANELY AND
CALMLY.
AND IT'S HARD TO DO.
>> WELL, AND THE PREVIOUS
METHOD -- OF COURSE NONE OF US
WILL EVER KNOW EXACTLY WHAT
THESE PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING AT
THAT TIME.
BUT IT PARALYZED THE BODY BEFORE
THE FATAL DRUG WAS INITIATED.
SO AT LEAST FOR THE VIEWER, SAY
YOU'RE THE FAMILY MEMBER, IT
WASN'T AS TRAUMATIC AN
EXPERIENCE.
>> YEAH, WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS
PERSON TRULY SUFFERED.
AND WE DIDN'T KNOW IF THE
PREVIOUS PEOPLE HAD SUFFERED.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW.
UNLESS THEY COME BACK, IT
COMPLETELY FAILS.
YOU'RE FROM THE COUNTY WHERE IT
TOOK PLACE, THE FEELINGS OUT.
>> THE FEELINGS I HEARD A LOT
LAST WEEKEND, 15 MINUTES, GASP
FOR AIR, STRUGGLED AGAINST THE
RESTRAINTS?
>> I THINK THIS GOES TO BOTH THE
HORRIFIC ASPECT OF THE CRIME HE
GOT PUNISHED FOR, HE GOT CAUGHT
BECAUSE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO
REPLICATE THAT DATE WITH A
15-YEAR-OLD GIRL HE CAUGHT
WALKING HOME FROM HOMEWORK.
HER FAMILY HEARD HER SCREAMING,
THEY CAME OUT, THEY CAUGHT HIM.
HE TRIED THEN TO INVENT A STORY
TO SQUEAL ON HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW.
THAT SAID THE BROTHER-IN-LAW DID
THE ORIGINAL ***.
BUT HE REVEALED SOME DETAILS.
AND HE WANTED TO KILL THE
15-YEAR-OLD BECAUSE HE LIKED,
ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY
PROSECUTOR, HE LIKED THIS STUFF.
THIS IS A GUY WHO -- YOU
COULDN'T EVEN HAVE THEM BE
SAFELY OUT WITH OTHER PRISONERS
IS BASICALLY WHAT THE THING
COMES TO.
THIS IS A GUY THAT'S VERY, VERY
BAD.
TO ME THIS ALSO REPRESENTS,
AMERICANS HAVE NOW BECOME
SEPARATED FROM SOME OF THE
UNSEEMLY ASPECTS OF LIFE, YOU
KNOW.
WE DON'T LIKE DEATH.
IT'S NOT PRETTY.
AND -- BUT VERY FEW OF US NOW
SEE PEOPLE DIE, HAVE SEEN A DEAD
PERSON, HAVE KILLED THINGS
OURSELVES, OUTSIDE OF DEER ON
THE HIGHWAY.
IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US TO GET OUR
HEADS AROUND THIS.
>> THE IS IT A STATE SUPREME
COURT HAS A TASK FORCE.
HOW MUCH THIS MIGHT WEIGH IN
THEIR EXAMINATION OF THIS THING?
>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO
ABSOLUTELY HAVE AN EFFECT.
I THINK IT'S NOT A PARTISAN
ISSUE.
I THINK YOU CAN HAVE AND I DO
HAVE COMPASSION FOR VICTIMS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, STUDIES ARE
SHOWING IT'S NOT A DETERRENT.
STUDIES ARE SHOWING THAT IT'S
ACTUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE, THE
PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH IT.
NOW WE'VE GOT THIS ISSUE OF HOW
TO DO AND IT WHETHER IT'S A
HUMANE WAY TO DO IT.
I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A
STEP BACK.
I HAPPEN TO BE PERSONALLY A
DEATH PENALTY OPPONENT AND WOULD
LIKE TO SEE IT DONE AWAY WITH
COMPLETELY.
BUT I THINK REGARDLESS OF WHERE
YOU'RE AT, AFTER THIS I THINK
THERE'S GOING TO BE A LONG
PAUSE.
>> LAST TOPIC.
ONE OF JOHN KASICH'S GOALS AS
GOVERNOR WAS TO GET LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS TO SHARE SERVICES,
EVEN CONSOLIDATE.
THE GOAL IS TO SAVE MONEY.
THE GOVERNOR'S FIRST BUDGET MADE
CUTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTS.
AS REPORTED BY THE DISPATCH A
TOP KASICH AIDE IS TRYING TO
CONVINCE CITIES, TOINTS,
VILLAGES, TOWNSHIPS, SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, TO DO THINGS
DIFFERENTLY.
OPPONENTS SAY LOCAL CONTROL IS
BEST.
THIS IS ONE OF YOUR CAUSES.
IT MAKES SENSE.
WHY DOESN'T IT HAPPEN?
>> I THINK THE KASICH
ADMINISTRATION, YOU'LL HEAR ME
SAY SOMETHING UNKIND FOR A
MOMENT, THEY MADE A MISTAKE.
WHEN THEY CUT IN THAT THEY
ASSUMED EVERYBODY WAS GOING TO
BEHAVE.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WERE ALL
GOING TO BEHAVE RATIONALLY AND
GO, OH MY GOSH, WE JUST HAD OUR
FUNDING CUT, LET'S GO AHEAD AND
SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO SHARE
SERVICES, COLLABORATE,
CONSOLIDATE, BE INNOVATIVE.
INSTEAD EVERYBODY HUNKERED DOWN,
ROPE A DOPE, YELLED WE DON'T
LIKE THIS.
>> LEVIES.
>> THE RESPONSE, CREATE A LOCUM
INNOVATION FUND, TO INNOVATE.
THE OBJECTION, YOU'RE GOING TO
PAY THEM TO DO SOMETHING THEY
SHOULD BE DOING ALREADY?
>> STICK DIDN'T WORK.
WOULD A CARROT HELP THE
GOVERNMENTS CONSOLIDATE?
ALL THE TOWNSHIPS ARE THE ONES I
CAN'T FIGURE OUT.
>> I DON'T THINK SO.
AND IT'S CULTURAL.
A LOT OF THIS IS CULTURAL.
FOR INSTANCE, THE FIRE
DEPARTMENTS AND THE MYRIAD OF
FIRE DEPARTMENTS, STARTED AS
VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS, THEY WERE
A WAY OF LIFE.
TOWNS GOT BIGGER AND THEY BECAME
REGULAR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
I REALLY THINK THAT ON PAPER,
WHAT GENE HAS SPENT A LOT OF
TIME STUDYING AND WHAT A LOT OF
FOLKS IN DIFFERENT GUBERNATORIAL
OFFICES, REPUBLICAN AND
DEMOCRAT, HAVE TRIED TO DO IS
FIGURE THIS OUT.
I THINK IT'S A CULTURAL PROBLEM.
>> AND IT'S NOT ONLY OHIO.
I MEAN, EVERY STATE WHERE I'VE
EVER WORKED, I MEAN, THE LAYERS
AND LAYERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ARE VERY HIGH.
>> THERE'S GOOD NEWS, THOUGH.
WORTHINGTON REPUBLICAN MIKE
DUFFY, REPRESENTATIVE, HAS
INTRODUCED LEGISLATION ALONG
WITH OTHER FOLKS THAT WOULD
ESTABLISH A DATABASE SO THAT YOU
COULD BE INFORMED AND YOU COULD
LOOK AT HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT
COSTS COMPARED TO OTHER ONES IN
DISCRETE CATEGORIES.
I THINK THAT WILL CHANGE THE DIE
THAT WILLIC.
>> WE HAVE TO HAVE A NEW ROME.
WE HAVE A SCANDAL OVER BASICALLY
WAS A SPEED TRAP ON THE WEST
SIDE OF COLUMBUS.
IS THAT THE ONLY WAY -- IT'S
GOING TO TAKE SOMETHING
CATASTROPHIC TO GET THESE THINGS
TO GO AWAY.
>> IT'S GOING TO TAKE A CHANGE
IN STATE LAW.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT TRYING TO
INCENTIVIZE INNOVATION AND I
THINK THERE IS SOME -- AT SOME
LEVEL, SOME INNOVATION, SOME
SHARING GOING ON.
BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE
WHOLESALE CHANGES, IF YOU WANT
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF
TOWNSHIPS FROM 1,300 TO
SOMETHING AROUND 500, IT'S GOING
TO TAKE CHANGES AT THE
STATEHOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S
GOING TO HAVE TO PUT A LOT OF
CAPITAL ON THE LINE TO DO THINGS
LIKE THAT.
I MEAN, NOT ONLY -- LIKE BRIAN
SAID, IT'S CULTURE, IT'S
TERRITORIAL.
EVERYONE IS PROTECTIVE OF THEIR
OWN SPACE AND THEIR OWN AREA.
SO IT'S -- I MEAN, I'VE SEEN --
YOU'VE SEEN, GENE, COMMISSIONS
FORM TO TRY TO PUT
REPRESENTATION TOGETHER.
>> WE'VE GOT TO GET TO OFF THE
RECORD-COMMENTS AND FINAL
REPORTING SHOTS, PREDICTIONS OF
THE WEEK.
>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE
REDISTRICTING REAR ITS HEAD
AGAIN AND I THINK WE MIGHT
ACTUALLY GET SOMEPLACE IN MARCH
OF THIS YEAR.
>> INTERESTING.
GENE.
>> GO BRONCOS.
I LOVE IT WHEN THE OLDER,
HIGH-PRICED GUY GETS CUT BY THE
TEAM THEN GOES TO A DIFFERENT
TEAM AND HELPED THEM GO ON AND
GET TO THE SUPER BOWL.
PERSONALLY, I LOVE THAT STORY.
>> PEYTON MANNING, OF COURSE,
WHAT IS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
ALL RIGHT.
JULIE.
>> I'M GOING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB
AND SAY TODD PORTUNE WILL
EVENTUALLY LEAVE THE RACE.
>> GREAT.
>> EVENTUALLY.
FEBRUARY 5th IS THE FEDERAL
FILING DEADLINE.
>> JULIE STOLE MINE.
I WAS GOING TO PREDICT NO MATTER
WHAT HE DECIDED TO, DO TODD
PORTUNE WAS NOT GOING TO BE A
FACTOR IN THIS ELECTION.
>> ALL RIGHT.
MY FINAL COMMENTS.
BEST HEADLINE OF THE DAY CAME
FROM A SATIRICAL SPORTS SITE.
THE SPORTS PICKLE SAID, NEW
CLEVELAND BROWNS COACH ASKS FOR
PRIVACY DURING THIS DIFFICULT
TIME.
PEYTON MANNING AFTER HE'S DONE
WITH THE BRONCOS.
THAT IS AT "THE SPORTS PICKLE,"
CHECK IT OUT.
THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD"
THIS WEEK.
CHECK US OUT ONLINE AT FACEBOOK,
TWITTER, AND STREAMING VIDEO AT
WOSU.ORG.
FOR OUR CREW AND OUR PANEL, I'M
MIKE THOMPSON, HAVE A GOOD WEEK.
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THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
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