>>> THE VACCINE MODEL -- !

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>> I'M COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD.

JULIE CAR SMITH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

TERRY CASEY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND DESIREE TIMS OF INNOVATION OHIO.

WELL, THE COVID -- THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THE DELTA VARIANT IS PEAKING NATIONALLY.

COVID CASES IN OHIO, STUBBORNLY HIGH AND TWO REASONS, ONLY HALF THE STATE'S POPULATION IS VACCINATED, AND MASK WEARING IS STILL KIND OF SPOTTY.

HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN HIGH AND UNLIKE AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, THE PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL ARE YOUNGER.

HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 50 HAVE INCREASED BY NEARLY 750% IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

NEARLY ALL OF THEM ARE UNVACCINATED, AND EXPERTS SAY YOUNGER OHIOANS WHO DON'T GET THE SHOT LIKELY WILL GET COVID.

>> AND WHEN YOU GET WITHOUT THE PROTECTION OF A VACCINE, THERE IS A VERY REAL RISK, YOU'LL END UP IN THE HOSPITAL, OR EVEN IN THE OBITUARY PAGES.

THE NUMBERING REALLY TELL IT ALL.

COVID HAS CHANGED.

AND IT'S NOW MAKING YOUNGER OHIOANS, WHO AREN'T VACCINATED, VERY SICK.

>> GOVERNOR DeWINE IS ONCE AGAIN USING A -- INSTEAD OF A STICK TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE VACCINATED.

PARTICULARLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 25.

OFFERING A SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY, 5 $100,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AND 50 $10,000 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE OR JOB TRAINING.

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO THAT WE THINK HAS A CHANCE OF WORKING.

WE THINK THIS HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF WORKING.

WE THINK IT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING VACCINATED.

BUT THERE'S NO -- LOOK, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE IN LIFE, AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T MAKE -- IF YOU WAIT UNTIL YOU'VE GOT A SURE SHOT -- YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SHOOT EVER.

>> THE HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR FOLKS UNDER 49 HAVE REALLY SPIKED UP.

BUT HE'S TARGETING 12 TO 25-YEAR-OLDS.

WHY IS HE PARTICULARLY TARGETING HALF OF THAT GROUP?

>> WELL, THE GOVERNOR IS VERY FOCUSED ON KEEPING OUR SCHOOLS OPEN.

I THINK THAT IT'S A PRETTY COMMON FEELING AROUND THE STATE THAT THERE ARE BENEFITS TO HAVING SCHOOLS OPEN BEYOND EVEN THE EDUCATION PIECE, THE SOCIAL ASPECTS, THE HEALTH -- TO FAMILIES, THE SOCIALIZATION FOR THE KIDS AND SOME OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES THAT ARE THERE, YOU KNOW THE FOOD PROGRAMS AND THE HEALTH CARE.

SO I THINK THAT THE IDEA IS TO MAYBE GET A LITTLE BIT OF ENERGY GOING WITHIN THAT AGE GROUP AND TRY TO KIND OF -- FORM A COMPETITIVE FEELING OF YOU'VE GOTTEN YOURS, I'VE GOTTEN MINE, I'M GOING TO TRY FOR THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT THOSE YOUNGER KIDS ARE A BIG PIECE OF HIS KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN STRATEGY.

>> YEAH, THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS, THEY'RE PROCRASTINATING.

YOUNGER FOLKS PUT OFF THINGS, THINK THEY'RE IMMUNE.

TERRY CASEY, WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE, THERE WAS THE VACCINE LOTTERY, AND THAT ALSO INCLUDED SCHOLARSHIPS AND THERE WERE A COUPLE DIFFERENT STUDIES, DIFFERENT RESULTS, ONE THE GOVERNOR PLACED -- THE VACCINATION RATES, THE OTHER ONE SAID, NOT REALLY, AT THE BEGINNING, THEY LEVELED OFF AGAIN.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL DO, TERRY CASEY?

>> IT ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE EVERYTHING.

I THINK ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IS THERE ARE A LOT OF MIXED MESSAGES OUT, BATTLES ON MASKS VERSUS VACCINES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP POUNDING HOME HOW VITAL ARE THE VACCINES, AND, AGAIN, I THINK THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR MADE A VERY GOOD POINT.

I THINK ALL OF US, FOR THE REASONS WHY I GOT THE VACCINE BACK IN LATE FEBRUARY IS I WANT TO AVOID THE MORGUE.

NOBODY WANTS TO BE IN THE OBITUARY PAGES, INCLUDING THE VACCINE PROVIDES THAT PROTECTION.

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK ON PUSHING THE VACCINE, AND PARTICULARLY LOOK AT SOUTHEASTERN OHIO AS ONE OF THE REAL PROBLEM ZONES IN THE STATE OF OHIO, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S ONLY BIG CITY THING, IT WON'T AFFECT THEM.

BUT CLEARLY THE RURAL AREAS ARE WHERE THEY LAG BEHIND THE MOST.

>> DESIREE TIMS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE MASK MANDATES.

THE GOVERNOR AGAIN IS TRYING TO USE SCIENCE, HE'S TRYING TO USE CONVINCING ARGUMENTS AND NOW HE'S TRYING TO USE INCENTIVES TO GET FOLKS VACCINATED.

DO YOU THINK THIS ONE WILL WORK THIS TIME?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT BELIEVE ANOTHER LOTTERY TYPE SYSTEM WILL WORK TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET THE SHOT.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IN GENERAL HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS.

IT'S TIME TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A STRONG MANDATE AND STRONG POLICIES IN PLACE TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET THE SHOT.

I'M REALLY THRILLED TO SEE A LOT OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS STEP UP TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE GETTING VACCINATED AHEAD OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE A DEADLY FLU SEASON.

AND WHAT WE NEED FROM OUR GOVERNOR TO TAKE SOME HINTS, SOME COLLEGE PRESIDENTS, TO ENSURE THAT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE GET THE SHOT.

I DON'T THINK MANY ARE GOING TO BE MOVED BY A LOTTERY DATE SYSTEM.

UNFORTUNATELY.

>> TERRY CASEY, A LOT OF COLLEGES HAVE VACCINE MANDATES ALREADY AND THIS IS GOING TO GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS, HIGH SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS, I GUESS, INCLUDING MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, 12 AND UP.

ARE THEY NOT DOING THE SAME THING, THE VACCINE MANDATES THAT COLLEGES ARE IMPOSING, AND NOW YOU HAVE THE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY.

>> WELL, I THINK THE PUBLICITY ON THE OPTION OF A MINI LOTTERY IS HELPFUL BUT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF OVER AND OVER AND I THINK AS PEOPLE SEE THE NEWS STORIES, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO DIDN'T THINK THAT THEY NEEDED THE VACCINE AND SUDDENLY THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN THE HOSPITAL, I THINK PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCE OF WHAT THEY'RE SAYING, PEOPLE NEED TO LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK WE'RE GETTING BACK TO THE VACCINE.

I THINK THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING TO PUSH BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION THAT BUILDS UP AND OF COURSE WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY -- WE'RE HALFWAY THERE NOW, BUT WE'LL BE MORE SO PUSHING BOOSTER SHOTS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ALL ABOUT THE VACCINE, AND REMINDING PEOPLE THAT AS WE GET TO THE FALL AND PEOPLE ARE INSIDE MORE, THERE'S MORE DANGER IF YOU AREN'T CAREFUL AND YOU AREN'T VACCINATED.

>> THERE'S ABOUT A HALF DOZEN BILLS CIRCULATING AROUND THE STATE HOUSE.

MANDATES, WHETHER THEY BE MASK MANDATES, VACCINE MANDATES, VACCINE PASSPORTS, MRNA VACCINES, WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THESE BILLS AND IS THERE A CHANCE OF PASSAGE?

>> SO I THINK THAT THOSE BILLS ARE -- THEY'RE NOT BEING DEBATED, BUT THERE ARE SOME DIVISIONS HERE, SOME REPUBLICANS WHO ARE MAJORITY OF THE STATE HOUSE BELONGS TO, BACKS THE GOVERNOR BUT HE HAS SEEN INTENSIVE PUSHBACK FROM SOME REPUBLICANS WHO DON'T BUY INTO THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE AT ALL IN THIS.

WE'RE SEEING IT NOT ONLY HERE, BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SUGGEST THAT EITHER THE SCIENCE IS FLAWED OR, AS DESIREE SAYS, THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE THAT'S FLOWING VERY SUCCESSFULLY THROUGH OHIO AND SOME OF OUR LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING THESE BILLS.

BUT THE SENSE IS THAT SOME OF THOSE, FOR EXAMPLE THE VACCINE BAN THAT HAD COME THROUGH, YOU KNOW, REALLY, THE LAWMAKERS BACKED OFF ON THAT AFTER WE WERE SOMEWHAT OF AN EMBARRASSMENT WITH SOME OF THE TESTIMONY THAT WAS PORTRAYED -- THAT WAS GIVEN AT THE STATE HOUSE AND THEN SORT OF SPREAD AROUND THE COUNTRY AS REALLY NOT BASED ON ANY KIND OF FACTUAL REALITY.

>> YEAH, AND -- RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESSES WHO WANT TO REQUIRE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED, IF THE BUSINESSES TRACE.

IT'S BEEN NEARLY TWO WEEKS SINCE COLUMBUS MAYOR IMPOSED A MASK MANDATE IN COLUMBUS.

DESIREE, WHAT'S BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE AND START WITH YOU, HOW ARE THINGS COMPLYING, DO YOU SEE PEOPLE WEARING MASKS IN GROCERY STORES?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS.

TYPICALLY WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE NEWS, WHEN PEOPLE ARE AFRAID, YOU SEE MORE PEOPLE MASKING UP.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE LESS AFRAID, THEY'RE FEELING A LITTLE BIT MORE ADVENTUROUS.

WE KNOW THAT MASKS WORK.

IT'S A SHAME THAT THE REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY IN THE STATE HOUSE ARE ENTERTAINING THE IDEA OF BANNING AND PROHIBITING MASK MANDATES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT MASKS SAVE LIVES.

AND IT IS GOING TO BE ON THE REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY IN THESE FAR RIGHT EXTREMIST LAWMAKERS WHEN THE STATE HOUSE -- IS FULL OF BABIES AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUCCUMBED TO COVID-19 BECAUSE OF SUCH EXTREME POLICIES.

>> THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE MAYOR'S MASK MANDATE?

>> A LOT OF AREAS, PEOPLE HAVE KIND OF GOT THE MESSAGE BUT OBVIOUSLY WE'VE SEEN ON TV REPORTS LIKE NATIONWIDE ARENA THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE PRIVATE ENTERTAINERS WORKING THE CROWD WITH NO MASKS ON AND NOBODY IN THE CROWD'S GOT A MASK ON AND I'VE HEARD OTHER REPORTS OF THINGS, AND CLEARLY SOME PEOPLE ARE WITH IT AND SOME PEOPLE AREN'T.

AGAIN, IT'S ONE OF THESE THINGS A LOT OF YOUNGER PEOPLE FEEL THEY'RE INVINCIBLE AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GOING TO THE HOSPITAL, THE ICU, BEING ON A VENTILATOR, AND OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THEM ARE MISINFORMED BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT AND FIND OUT THEY GOT A PROBLEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S HOPE THAT THE VARIANT HAS PEAKED AS IT APPEARS TO HAVE PEAKED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND IS ON ITS WAY DOWN HERE IN OHIO.

AND ROUND TWO, THE STATE'S REDISTRICTING PROCESS BEGINS SOON, LIKELY ALREADY UNDER WAY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THIS PROCESS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE THAT THE STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS LAST WEEK.

LAWMAKERS HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY TO APPROVE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS AND THOSE MAPS WOULD REQUIRE SUPPORT FROM HALF OF THE LEGISLATURE'S DEMOCRATS.

IN THE LIKELY EVENT THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN THE PROCESS GOES TO THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, THEY HAVE UNTIL HALLOWEEN TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IT GOES BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND IF THEY CAN'T EVEN GET MODEST DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT AT THE END OF NOVEMBER THE MAPS WOULD ONLY LAST FOUR YEARS INSTEAD OF TEN.

DID YOU GET ALL THAT?

DESIREE TIMS, IT'S PRETTY COMPLEX, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S LEGALIZED BETTING HERE IN OHIO, I WOULD PUT TEN BUCKS ON A TABLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH 12 REPUBLICAN SEATS AND THREE DEMOCRATIC SEATS.

WOULD YOU TAKE THAT BET?

>> I AM AN OPTIMIST.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE OPTIMISTIC AND HOPE AND PRAY THAT OUR LAWMAKERS FOLLOW THE WILL OF OHIO VOTERS.

OHIOANS VOTED TWICE THROUGH A PROCESS THAT ALLOWED FOR US TO HAVE -- REPRESENTING THE FAIRNESS IN THE PROPORTION OF OHIO VOTERS.

55, 45%.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE WAY OHIOANS HAVE VOTED STATEWIDE.

SO I HOPE THAT REPUBLICANS WILL DO THE RIGHT THING, FIND A HEART, FOLLOW THE LAW, AND ENGAGE IN A PROCESS THAT IS FAIR AND TRUE TO THE VOTERS.

ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT, ANYTHING THAT IS EXTREME, SUCH AS A -- PROCESS IS GOING TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO SUPPRESS THE VOICES OF THE VOTERS AS WE CONTINUE TO TELL THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING WE STAND FOR.

>> TERRY CASEY, YOUR BET, EIGHT REPUBLICANS, SEVEN DEMOCRATIC SEATS.

DO WE SEE THAT HAPPENING?

>> WELL, THE PROBLEM IS, PEOPLE MAKE ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON INDEXES.

IF YOU GO BACK TO 2010 I THINK THERE WERE FIVE DIFFERENT DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE IN DEMOCRATIC LEANING SEATS AND THEY SUDDENLY GOT BEET, SOME OF THEM BY BIG MARGINS.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS PEOPLE LOOK AT INDEXES BASED ON PAST RACES AND THOSE DON'T ALWAYS WORK OUT TO BE EXACTLY SO.

BUT CLEARLY DRAWING THESE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, ONLY 15 DISTRICTS BUT IT'S VERY COMPLICATED BECAUSE THERE ARE FEDERAL COURT RULINGS IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND SOME DISTRICTS LIKE JOYCE BEATTY, IS GOING TO HAVE TO LOSE PEOPLE THAT SHE NOW HAS IN HER DISTRICT AND HOW YOU KEEP THE RACIAL BALANCES, HOW YOU KEEP THE NUMBERS, IT'S EACH DISTRICT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE ABOUT 786,000 PEOPLE.

THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IT'S HARD TO MAKE EVERYTHING COMPACT WITH THAT BIG OF A NUMBER AND ONLY 15 DISTRICTS.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTH, WHAT'S THE TALK AT THE STATE HOUSE.

DO WE THINK WE'LL HAVE THE SAME SCENARIO, THAT REPUBLICANS WILL HOLD FIRM, AND HAVE THEM ON FOR FOUR YEARS?

>> NO, I MEAN THE FIRST TALK IS THAT THEY WILL MISS THE SEPTEMBER 30th DEADLINE, AND THAT WOULD PUT IT BACK TO THE CONGRESSION.

NOTABLY THE COMMISSION WAS JUST SUED THIS WEEK OVER THE FIRST TWO -- THE LEGISLATIVE MASS.

THE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED FOR IT, AT LEAST MATT HUFFMAN, THE SENATE PRESIDENT WHO WAS REALLY AT THE HEART OF DRAWING THOSE LEGISLATIVE MAPS HAS DEFENDED THE PROCESS AND SAID THAT THESE ARE NOT GERRYMANDERED.

SO -- BUT WHO'S TO SAY?

BECAUSE IN -- ALWAYS ATTEMPTED, THAT'S WHAT GERRYMANDERING IS ALL ABOUT, AS DESIREE SAID, THE -- YOU KNOW, THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS DOES CALL FOR REPRESENTATION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION OUT THERE THAT BY DRAWING THE MAP THAT WOULD GIVE DEMOCRATS MORE SEATS THAN THEY HAVE, IT SOMEHOW IS GERRYMANDERING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

I GOT THE SENSE OF THAT IN AN OP-ED COLUMN THAT HUFFMAN WANTS TO DISPATCH, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT INDEXES AND ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN THAT DISTRICT AND HAVE BEEN -- HOW MANY ARE DEMOCRATS.

MAYBE YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN ON ONE SIDE BUT A DEMOCRAT ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PROPORTIONALLY TRYING TO SAY, AS MANY OHIOANS AS THERE ARE THOSE GUYS SHOULD HAVE A FAIR SHOT.

>> THEY COULD GET ENOUGH DEMOCRATS TO SUPPORT THIS, AND IT WOULD LAST FOR TEN YEARS.

MIGHT DEMOCRATS SEE THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS SUPPORTING THAT INCREASES THE CHANCES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR TO HOLD THESE SEATS.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE TWO SEATS THAT ARE -- ONE HELD BY MARCIA -- AND ONE HELD BY JOYCE BEATTY, ONE OF COURSE IS THE -- ADMINISTRATION, MIGHT THEY AGREE TO THE MAP IF THERE ARE FEW SEATS IN THE STATE THAT LEANS TOWARD AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPRESENTATION WHICH FOLKS AS JOYCE BEATTY SAYS IS VERY IMPORTANT IN CONGRESS.

>> WELL, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS BUT I CAN SAY IN SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH PEOPLE, THEY'RE INTERESTED IN SEE AGO FAIR PROCESS.

DEMOCRATS ARE NOT ARGUING FOR THE MAPS TO BE A HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND FOR DEMOCRATS TO HAVE MORE SEATS THAN REPUBLICANS.

DEMOCRATS ARE ARGUING FOR A PROCESS THAT IS A PART AND COMPRISED WITH REPRESENTATION OF FAIRNESS AND MAPS THAT DON'T CHEAT PEOPLE.

I THINK THE MESSAGE IS VERY SIMPLE, STOP CHEATING US, STOP CHEATING OHIOANS OUT OF A FAIR PROCESS.

WE WANT PEOPLE OF COLOR TO BE REPRESENTED AND TO HAVE A VOICE BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT HACKING IN ONE BLACK AND -- SO WE CAN HAVE A TOKEN REPRESENTATIVE, IT'S TO HAVE THE REPRESENTATION THAT'S REPRESENTATIONLY FAIR AND THAT WE HAVE VOICES IN ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

>> TERRY CASEY, IF WE END UP -- DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL MAPS BECAUSE IT'S REPUBLICAN DOMINATED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS NEXT?

DO YOU THINK ADVOCATES GO BACK TO THE BALLOT AND GET A STRONGER REFORM SYSTEM APPROVED BY VOTERS?

>> THE BIGGEST WHAT IF IS WHAT'S THE OHIO SUPREME COURT GOING TO DO NOW THAT THEY'VE GOT THE STATE OHIO HOUSE AND STATE SENATE DISTRICTS AND AN INTERESTING WRINKLE IS THAT PAT DEWINE IS GOING TO RECUSE HIMSELF SO O'CONNOR IS A SWING VOTE ON THIS ISSUE AND WILL APPOINT THE JUSTICE -- THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, LOT OF VARIABLES AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, AT LEAST THROUGH HALLOWEEN, TO DO THE CONGRESSIONAL, WE MIGHT HAVE SOME SENSE OF THE OHIO SUPREME COURT, WHICH WAY THEY LEAN.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, NOBODY IS PERFECTLY DETERMINED WHAT DOES FAIR MEAN.

FAIR FOR ONE PERSON MIGHT BE DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER AND YOU DO RAISE A GOOD POINT, MIKE, ON BLACK REPRESENTATION, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IN CONGRESS TWO OF THE 16, 12.5% ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPRESENTING OHIO, WHICH IS JUST ABOUT MATCHING THE POPULATION.

IF WE WENT TO THREE OUT OF 15, THAT WOULD BE 20%, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES, A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, INCLUDING WHAT WILL THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DO IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO?

>> THE GOP RACE FOR U.S. SENATE HAS ANOTHER OFFICIAL CANDIDATE.

STATE MATT DOLAN HAS FINISHED HIS LISTENING TOUR.

HE JOINS THE CROWD OF THREE, THAT INCLUDES JOSH MANDEL, FORMER DWOP CHAIR TIMKEN, AND BERNIE MORENO.

HE WANTS TO BE THE ANTI-TRUMP CANDIDATE.

HE SUPPORTS MANY OF DONALD TRUMP'S POLICIES BUT HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE THE CANDIDATE WHOSE GOTTEN HIMSELF WITH THE TRUMP VOTE.

DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE?

>> HE'S GOT A CHANCE BECAUSE NUMBER ONE HE'S GOT MONEY AND MEANS THAT WAY, AND NOT IN CENTRAL OHIO BUT IN NORTHEASTERN OHIO, WHICH IS 38% OF THE STATE, HIS FAMILY, BECAUSE OF THE CONNECTION WITH THE INDIANS OF THE GUARDIANS, HAVE SOME AWARENESS THAT WAY.

SO IF YOU'VE GOT MONEY IN A FIELD THAT MIGHT BE SIX OR EIGHT DIFFERENT CANDIDATES, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO WIN WITH 25% OR 27%.

SO DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE, YES, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE FILE AND RUN AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'LL BE ABLE TO RAISE OR PUT INTO THE CAMPAIGN.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTH, CAN HE RAISE THE MONEY.

TOUGH MOVE TO GO, EVEN IF HE'S A FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR, A POWERFUL POSITION, STATE SENATE DISTRICT WITH STATEWIDE U.S. SENATE WIN?

>> RIGHT, AND HE ENTERED THE RACE AND HE SAID HE'S CONFIDENT THAT HE HAS THE FINANCIAL BACKING AS WELL AS THE BACKING OF THE VOTERS, THAT HE NEEDS TO DO THIS.

SO WE WILL REMAIN -- IT WILL REMAIN TO BE SEEN, BUT THE LARGE DONORS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, I THINK SOME OF THEM ARE HOLDING OUT, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE IF DONALD TRUMP WILL ENDORSE IN THAT RACE.

AND THAT COULD MIX THINGS UP.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH TRUMP IS THAT HE OFTEN NOW IS WAITING UNTIL SOMEONE LOOKS LIKE A SURE BET BEFORE HE ACTUALLY ENDORSES.

AND SO ALL HE HAS SAID IS HE WILL NOT ENDORSE MATT DOLAN AND MAYBE THAT BRINGS THE MONEY HIS WAY.

>> DESIREE TIMS, ARE DEMOCRATS ROOTING FOR SOMEONE LIKE JOSH MANDEL WHO'S A REAL LIGHTNING ROD, RATHER THAN SOMEONE LIKE MATT DOLAN WHO IS MORE OF A TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN.

>> I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS ARE ROOTING FOR ANY OF THE REPUBLICANS RIGHT NOW.

WE KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS TRYING TO REDEFINE ITSELF.

IF IT'S THE DONALD TRUMP REPUBLICAN PARTY OR NOT.

WE KNOW THAT DONALD TRUMP DOESN'T LIKE MATT DOLAN.

HE PROBABLY WILL BE ABLE TO RAISE SOME OF THE MONEY AND PROBABLY -- WE ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE OUR CANDIDATE RIGHT NOW, WHO IS TIM RYAN AND MORGAN HARPER, THEY'RE BOTH RUNNING, TO HAVE A REALLY SOLID PARTNER AND MAKE THE CASE OF VOTING ACROSS OHIO, DEMOCRATS.

>> BOOKER WATSON SAYS 126 ALLEGED VICTIMS OF DR. RICHARD STRAUSS HAVE A GOOD CASE, BUT JUDGE WATSON DISMISSED THE CASES AGAINST OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY.

WATSON SAYS IT'S, QUOTE, BEYOND DISPUTE THAT THE -- SUFFERED ABUSE IN THE 1980s AND '90s, THE OFFICIALS AT THE TIME FAILED TO PROTECT THEM BUT THE STATE LAW IS CLEAR, THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS RAN OUT LONG AGO AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID NOTHING TO CHANGE IT.

OSU HAS 732 OTHER PLAINTIFFS AND THE SCHOOL SAYS IT WILL PAY FOR ALL OF THE STRAUSS VICTIMS.

STRAUSS DIED IN 2005.

THERE WAS SOME TALK ABOUT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

BUT IT HAPPENED.

>> YEAH, THE -- I THINK THAT THE SITUATION WAS THAT THEY LOOKED AT IT AS, YOU KNOW, A CASE THAT WAS GOING TO BE TOO NARROW AND WOULD IMPACT THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE BY JUST CHANGING THINGS FROM ONE SINGLE CASE.

AND SO I THINK THAT THEY GOT CAUGHT UP IN THAT KIND OF DEBATE.

>> TERRY CASEY, WHAT'S THE MESSAGE, NOT JUST THIS CASE.

THE LARRY NASSAR STATE, MICHIGAN STATE.

SCHOOLS LIKE MICHIGAN AS WELL.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE DAYS OF TRYING TO COVER UP SUCH THINGS ARE OVER?

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED BUT THERE'S A LEGITIMATE SUBSTANTIVE QUESTION OF DO YOU CHANGE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

I THINK THERE WAS A LOOK TO CARVE OUT A SPECIAL EXEMPTION FOR OHIO STATE PEOPLE AND NOT LOOK AT OTHER CASES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST DECADES IN OHIO.

BUT THERE IS ALSO THE GOVERNOR CORRECTLY RAISED THE QUESTION OF MAYBE YOU WANT TO LOOSEN THINGS UP CRIMINALLY SO PEOPLE CAN BE PROSECUTED EVEN IF IT'S 10, 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.

BUT WHETHER YOU GET INTO THE CIVIL AREA, AND THEN YOU GET INTO THE WHOLE TORT REFORM OF HOW MUCH OF THE MONEY, IF SAY OHIO STATE HAD WRITTEN A CHECK LIKE MICHIGAN STATE, FOR A HALF BILLION DOLLARS, HOW MUCH OF THE VICTIMS VERSUS HOW MUCH WOULD IT INVOLVE THE TRIAL LAWYERS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF INTEREST, A LOT OF DEBATE BUT I THINK THE LEGISLATURE, THERE WERE REASONS WHY THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO THERE.

IF YOU DO IT FOR ONE GROUP, DO IT FOR OTHER GROUPS, INCLUDING VICTIMS OF, SAY, CATHOLIC PRIESTS.

>> ABUSERS CAN ALLOW A LOT OF TIME -- SHOULD THEY HAVE THAT SAME BENEFIT?

>> I THINK IT'S ABOUT THE OHIO REPUBLICANS, THEY HAVE MAJORITY TO END THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS -- THEY'RE SAYING -- MENTIONED THAT RAPE WAS AN INCONVENIENCE.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE JUSTICE, THAT KIDS FEEL SAFE, WHETHER AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL OR IN THE HOME OF A LOVED ONE OR A NEIGHBOR.

THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE WE DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

AND SO MY HOPE IS THAT WE WILL COME UP WITH A SYSTEM, AND A FRAMEWORK THAT WILL ALLOW THE VICTIMS TO SEEK JUSTICE AND TO PUT SOME OF THESE PREDATORS AWAY.

>> LET'S GET TO OUR OFF THE RECORD PARTY SHOTS.

DESIREE, YOU'RE FIRST.

>> OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOTS.

OH.

>> THE WEEKEND.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

STUMPED HER THERE.

TERRY CASEY, YOU'RE UP NEXT.

>> THIS PAST WEEK, ANDY DOUGLAS HAS SERVED 18 YEARS ON THE OHIO SUPREME COURT PASSED AWAY.

I FIRST WORKED WITH HIM IN 1984 WHEN HE GOT ELECTED.

HE WAS A UNIQUE ORIGINAL IN TERMS OF ALWAYS CREATIVE, ALWAYS ENERGETIC, AND HIS PASSING IS THE END OF A UNIQUE ERA.

THERE WEREN'T MANY ON THE SUPREME COURT LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE WAS NEVER BORN AND NEVER UNINTERESTED, AND ALWAYS HAD IDEAS AND CREATIVE WAYS TO DO THIS I THINK SO.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTH, FINAL THOUGHT.

>> LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD RACES THIS SEASON, THEY ARE GOING TO BE THE -- FOR CULTURE, WAR, ARGUMENTS, WORTH WATCHING.

>> MASK MANDATES, THERE'S A -- PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE'S NOT GOING TO ENDORSE MATT DOLAN PARTLY BECAUSE THEY CHANGED THE NAME FROM THE INDIANS TO THE GUARDIANS.

THAT'S COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD FOR THIS WEEK.

CHECK US OUT LIVE ON TWITTER, ALSO ONLINE AT WOSU.ORG, CATCH EVERY EPISODE ON DEMAND.

I'M MIKE THOMPSON, HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

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