There is quite a controversy brewing in the Seth Morgan / Dave Yost primary, which originates from yesterday’s Ohio Right to Life event event with Sarah Palin. (Media coverage can be found here and here. I’ll post video as quickly as it is made available.)

Since I was there, the first report is something I can personally confirm: Many Republican leaders were visibly in attendance and on stage. Also, the Ohio Right to Life PAC, which is spereate from ORTL’s non-profit 501c3, put its slate card on cars in the parking lot. Also Republican candidates, such as Jon Husted, also distributed literature. I suppose this is fine, but the Ohio Right to Life is so important to the cause of ending abortion that– especially at an event with the next Republican nominee for President– if I was running the ORTL, I would make it a specific point to keep anything else that is remotely Republican entirely out of the event. What the IRS giveth, the IRS can taketh away.

But the second report is more interesting: Seth Morgan was kept out of the private reception prior to the Palin’s speech.

I shook Morgan’s hand after the event and he looked rather distracted and unnerved. It was a mob of people trying to leave and he understandably had no time to talk, but today I have figured why he looked how he did.

Seth Morgan did not buy a ticket in advance to the reception, Sarah Palin’s people and major Ohio Right to Life donors invited him in- repeatedly.

What Seth Morgan was reportedly told was that there was simply no room at the $1000/ticket event. Also, a well placed source said they were a tight schedule and there was perhaps no room in the picture line for Morgan or anyone else… many other people were also turned away. But considering the red-hot nature of this primary and the bad PR this could cause, why couldn’t they have made an exception?

Things got so heated that there are reports that lawyers were involved.

While the Morgan campaign has absolutely no interest in commenting on thus, his supporters are speaking up. And I’m hearing through the grapevine that Tom Norris, Lara (Mastin) Norris,  Tim Crawford (who works closely with Palins’s team… The event wouldn’t of happened without him.), and many others were royally pissed because of this situation.

Regardless of why Seth wasn’t allowed in, things were so bad that they made sure to allow him into the Umberto Fedeli event today in Cleveland.

Not that it should have mattered, but the ORTL PAC has not endorsed in the Auditor’s race, and will probably give out a dual endorsement anyway.

And if the situation involved heavy handed politics, then the treatment of Morgan looks far worse for the ORTL than the distribution of campaign literature.

For such an amazing event, this is a horrible parting thought.

And the “squabble” former GOP Chairman Bob Bennett talks about in the Dayton Daily News continues…

Update: Sunday at 10am – Reports are coming in now that Dave Yost was also not at the event and was treated exactly the same, as Yost asked to be comped for a ticket but was turned down. So perhaps the way to have solved this was for candidates to buy tickets in advance? Regardless, Palin’s people and Morgan people were upset.

Laura Bischoff files the first report of Sarah Palin’s speech tonight with the Ohio Right to Life:

COLUMBUS — Officially, the Ohio Right to Life rally on Friday, March 5, was billed as a nonpartisan event, but that didn’t stop many of Sarah Palin’s 4,000 fans in attendance from[...]

Just before the rally, Palin attended a private $1,000 per ticket reception with donors, including Republicans such as Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine, state Sen. Jon Husted and former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine.

Ohio Right to Life declined to disclose Palin’s speaking fee — reported to be in the neighborhood of $100,000 — but at the end of her 45-minute speech Palin promised to donate it back to the nonprofit.

I’ve been told that video will be online soon. With thousands of adoring fans in the audience, her speech was fantastic  and I found her to be far more comfortable speaking than she was just a few weeks ago at the TEA party convention. She was just as smooth and eloquent as Mitt Romney… except Palin is actually conservative.

She mocked the left and the MSM for how the smallest things she does drives them crazy. Here is my cellphone video when she explained the silly business about how she wrote notes on her hand during a speech… ie, the “poor man’s teleprompter.”

But what was my favorite moment?

It was when Palin honored Elizbeth Trisler, the young woman who won the national oratory award from the National Right to Life, but was kept from being honored by State Rep. John Adams on the floor of the Ohio House because of Speaker Armond Budish’s radical pro-death agenda.

Armond, here is a room of 5000+ people who think you are a bully and a giant a**hole:

From the inbox:

Congressman Jim Jordan, a champion for the pro-life movement in Ohio, has graciously purchased and donated 100 tickets to this Friday’s Sarah Palin event.

All supporters need to do to receive their free ticket is call Ohio Right to Life at (614) 547-0099 ext. 0, mention Congressman Jordan’s name, and leave their own name, address and phone number. This special opportunity is limited to 100 tickets and those calling may receive up to 4 free tickets.

We are extremely honored by Congressman Jordan’s generosity and hope you will take part in accepting his gift to the pro-life movement by calling our office for your free ticket today! Thank you Congressman Jordan!

For more information on Friday’s event, please visit www.ohiolife.org.

This email was sent out 20 minutes ago from the time I posted, so hurry up and call!

I already have a ticket and will report back on Friday evening.

Two events over two days. Very impressive…

From Michael McIntyre in The Plain Dealer:

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will make a stop for lunch in Northeast Ohio next Saturday at the home of insurance executive and GOP stalwart Umberto Fedeli in a benefit for the Ohio and Cleveland chapters of Right to Life.

Palin and about 100 invitees (most of whom will pay $2,500 apiece) will enjoy a meal in Fedeli’s personal trattoria prepared by guest chef Carl Quagliata of Giovani’s Ristorante. Palin will share her anti-abortion views and pose for photographs.

Fedeli, who has hosted President George W. Bush and many other political dignitaries at his Gates Mills home, said he was thrilled that Palin, who is headlining an Ohio Right to Life event in Columbus the night before, accepted his invitation.

Planned Parenthood of Ohio sent every state legislator some chocolate this week for Valentine’s Day. Nice gesture, huh?

But inside, the chocolate was in the shape of birth control pills. mmmmm, so appetizing!

Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion chain in America, apparently went to great expense to reduce human sexuality to crass chocolate humor while promoting unhealthy lifestyle choices. And taxpayers probably paid for this disgusting nonsense.

This is almost as classy as when I was an undergrad at OSU and a volunteer for “Voices for Planned Parenthood,” a student org front group that Planned Parenthood uses to absorb student activity money, passed out literature to me on the way to class. The volunteer was dressed as a 6ft tall, giant cartoonish uterus.

These jerks are without class or dignity.

After this story was covered by The O’Reilly Factor last week, Elizabeth Trisler, the winner of a national oratory contest was finally able to be honored on the floor of the House. Pro-abortion Speaker Budish was probably not looking forward to this day, and even called out extra-security to keep a close eye on about a dozen DANGEROUS CHRISTIANS watching from the gallery:

What gracious comments from Elizabeth! THIS is what Budish and the Democrats were so afraid of???

However when she said “I hope to see you all in the future”… I am hoping that after November we will NOT see many of the Democrats who were there on the House floor today. And after regaining the House majority and seeing how leadership can become drunk with power, hopefully Republicans will be respectful of the freedom of speech.

I overheard Rep. Adams explain to others about how proud he is of Elizabeth and that he was quite nervous during this presentation… which is understandable given all of the unnecessary heat and controversy created by Budish.

A hour later, Elizabeth was also honored in the Ohio State by State Senator Keith Faber:

And here is a picture I took with State Rep. John Adams, Sen. Keith Faber, and Elizabeth:

It was a pleasure to briefly meet Elizabeth and her mother today. I couldn’t imagine there would be many 19 year olds who would be that comfortable speaking with Bill O’Reilly to millions of cable viewers. It is fantastic to see she is using her God-given talents to fearlessly speak out on behalf on unborn babies.

And here is Elizabeth with Mike Gonidakis of the Ohio Right to Life. Without his help, today’s presentation would not have happened:

When it was all over, Elizabeth Trisler, with her big smile and perfect manners, defeated the Big Bad Bully Budish.

After more than a year of delay, Ms. Trisler will be congradulated on the floor of the Ohio House today, Ash Wednesday.

The liberal newspaper I grew up reading, the Lorain Morning Journal, says it well:

Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish pulled a bonehead stunt by denying a Shelby County teen her few minutes of congratulations on the House floor for winning a National Right to Life oratory contest.

Budish, an attorney and abortion-rights advocate from Beachwood, cancelled the planned Feb. 3 proclamation presentation to 19-year-old Elizabeth Trisler, a senior at Christian Academy Schools in Sidney.

Needless to say, conservative groups and Republicans vigorously objected. Joining them were lawyers from the Ohio ACLU.

Budish reversed his decision last week, but the cork was already out of the bottle.

The story was snapped up by 24-hour cable news. The girl and her mother appeared on “The O’Reilly Factor” and Fox News. Sarah Palin has been asked to present an award to Trisler at an Ohio Right to Life event March 5 in Columbus.

A Budish spokesperson said the speaker did not want to permit politically sensitive groups to use the House floor as a platform, “whether it’s a gay-rights advocacy group or a right to life organization.”

Baloney. Budish used his political muscle to take a cheap shot at the anti-abortion movement by snubbing an impressionable student and got caught at it.

The speaker will attempt to make amends this afternoon on the House floor when he personally presents the proclamation to the young lady.

A sincere apology, words of encouragement and a friendly handshake from Budish would be appreciated, as well as appropriate.

If you missed the broadcast on Sunday, here is Elizabeth Trisler and and Gary Daniels, Associate Director of the Ohio ACLU, on ONN:

Jim Heath posted a preview of his interview with Elizabeth and the Ohio ACLU on Capitol Square on ONN, which will air tomorrow:

And, Republican Leader Batchelder’s comments yesterday in Jim Siegel’s report are highly annoying:

Batchelder, R-Medina, issued a statement Thursday evening: “Earlier this week, it was indicated in the media that Speaker Budish had kept a resolution congratulating an award recipient of a national Right to Life oratory contest from being recognized, in accordance with past practice. After further discussions with the speaker, it is my belief that he did not decline the request of Rep. Adams based on his own personal views.

Batchelder added: “The speaker has always maintained an open door policy for members on both sides of the aisle, and I appreciate the courtesy he has provided to House Republicans in recognizing our constituents for their worthwhile achievements.”

Rep. Batchelder is a hero of mine, and he is truly brilliant. But in the process of being an old-fashioned gentleman with overly generous comments about Armond Budish, he essentially called Rep. John Adams, Bill O’Reilly, the Ohio ACLU, Mike Gonidakis of the Ohio Right to life, Elisabeth and her mother liars. (I would say “thrown under the bus,” but I’m REALLY tired of that cliché.) Batchelter’s comments are contrary to the facts. Instead, why not help voters distinguish Republicans from the other party by coming to the DEFENSE of a pro-life teenager? sloppy

Update: Coughing!:

It would seem Trisler’s story is not finished yet, either. This morning, she also appeared on the television program “Fox and Friends” and Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Michael Gonidakis also has reportedly asked former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to present Trisler with an award at a pro-life event on March 5.

A pure coincidence, Trisler, a senior at Christian Academy Schools in Sidney, said her mother discovered she was pregnant with her right before participating in the Rally For Life in Washington D.C. in 1990.

“I’ve pretty much been involved in politics even before I was born,” Trisler said. She added she wanted to thank everyone who has helped in getting her story out.

“I’d like to thank John Adams for all his hard work and support as well as Mike Gonidakis’ support and prayer,” she said.

Although she said she wasn’t nervous about appearing on national television, Trisler did point out the interview almost didn’t go quite as planned.

“I wasn’t nervous but I started coughing right before the interview was going to happen and couldn’t stop,” she said, laughing.

Trisler is the daughter of Lee and Sandi Trisler of Sidney.

After appearing on The O’Reilly Factor last night, Elizabeth Trisler and her mother were on Fox and Friends this morning at 7am. They both did a great job and I’m so happy to see this story receive national attention. Speaker Budish should be deeply ashamed of himself.

Here is the video from tonight. Elisabeth Trisler and her mother did a great job!

Make sure to tune into the Bill O’Reilly Factor tonight at 8pm, as he will be covering this story and interviewing Elisabeth Trisler and her mother. It should be interesting!

Yesterday at 4pm, Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis was interviewed about the latest developments in this situation on Bob Burney’s radio show on The Word 880AM. It must have been painful for Mike to be so polite, considering how poorly Speaker Budish treated Elisabeth and how he lied yesterday to excuse his unreasonable behavior. Click here to listen.

And while Speaker Budish’s spokesidiot Keary McCarthy lied through his teeth when saying the controversy was due to confusion about if Elisabeth would read her speech aloud or not (It was known for many months that she would not), it appears that Budish sometimes allows young oratory winners does allow young oratory winners to read their speech. Check out this video below from Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2009…

Is expansive Federal civil rights legislation and the repeated use of the word “negroes” not divisive or controversial?

And while this young girl certainly deserves to be honored, isn’t this speech “politically senstitive” in nature?

And if civil rights of blacks is on the list of approved speech topics, then why not allow Elisabeth speak out against something which kills more American blacks than the 7 leading causes of death combined?

How do you spell hypocrisy? A-R-M-O-N-D

And he is spinning, passing the buck, and lying:

House Republicans, Ohio Right to Life and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sharply criticized Budish this week for rejecting a request from Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, that he be allowed to go before the House and present Elisabeth Trisler of Shelby County with a resolution for winning a national oratory contest.

Though she qualified for the resolution under House rule, the speaker has discretion over what presentations are made on the floor. He rejected the request because the issue was too divisive.

But Budish’s office today told Adams and Ohio Right to Life that the presentation can go forward, likely next week.

Though she qualified for the resolution under House rule, the speaker has discretion over what presentations are made on the floor. He rejected the request because the issue was too divisive.

But Budish’s office today told Adams and Ohio Right to Life that the presentation can go forward, likely next week.

“There was some uncertainty around whether the speech was going to be read or if it was just a presentation,” said Keary McCarthy, spokesman for Budish. “There wasn’t good communication between Rep. Adams’ office and our office.”

Also, McCarthy said, “There was an overwhelming sense that his decision was being very much mischaracterized.”

Right to Life and the ACLU accused Budish of trying to silence those whom he disagreed with. Budish argued he would have rejected such a politically divisive request regardless of whether it was abortion or a pro gay rights group.

There was never any question that her speech would be read on the floor of the House.  It was just be a presentation, period. That is a LIE and revisionist history.

Essentially, Speaker Budish is saying I didn’t do it, and I won’t do it again.

The House policy wasn’t the problem. Elizabeth was fully qualified to receive an award on the Floor of the House, and that was also never in question.

But even if that was the issue, so what? For MLK day, Speaker Budish allowed a young person to read their speech about Dr. King. Is there a list of approved speech topics that Speaker Budish can provide? Or are just some speech topics just inherently disapproved because they don’t please a liberal crowd? (And not to mention that if he really cares about MLK and the black community, then he should be aware that abortion kills more black Americans than the 7 leading causes of death combined!)

Also, from the same story in the Dayton Daily News today, Spokesidiot McCarthy gets in one final jab by noting that “the recognition moments are not used for issue advocacy.” The problem here is, this had nothing to do with issue advocacy and was about high school senior winning a national oratory award. Instead, the only one using this situation for issue advocacy was Armond Budish, who picked on a talented girl in a cheap attempt to pander to the Democrat base.

So after a year has passed, Elisabeth will FINALLY be honored on the floor. Considering how awkward the situation is now, how happy of an occasion will it be?

Speaker Budish does not support free speech, and has learned nothing from this situation. He is a hypocrite.

Armond, you are a terrible bully.

Ms. Trisler is the National Right to Life oratory winner who Speaker Budish won’t allow to be recognized on the floor of the House.

Here are pictures from after she won the Ohio Right to Life state competition at Otterbein College.

OH THE HORROR! SO FRIGHTENING!

Considering the type of discussion that happens on the floor, perhaps Trisler could share her talents and host oratory/debate classes for poorly spoken House Democrats?

Ohio Revised Code 9.041:

“It is the public policy of the State of Ohio to prefer childbirth over abortion to the extent that is constitutionally permissible.

Even though this issue involves the right of an Ohio Representative (in this case, Rep. John Adams) to honor high school students for their academic achievements, if we want to talk about abortion- it is the OFFICIAL POSITION OF OHIO LAW to favor the pro-life position.

I wonder if Keary McCarthy thinks the Ohio Revised code is too “divisive” for the Speaker?

(Warning: Divisive commentary ahead) Keary should be happy that even though he is a toothy, leftist midget with barely enough intelligence to robotically emits brainless talking points, his mother still decided to keep him.

I’m going through resolutions today. So far, I see at least one that is very political in nature: Erie County “environmental activists” on October 28, 2009 (pg 2).  But considering Budish’s strict rules, I could see him potentially blocking any accomplishments from an eschool/homeschool child, simply because school choice is also a political issue.

If you missed the story yesterday, a talented high school girl won a national oratory award at the National Right to Life Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina back in June, but House Speaker Budish is refusing to allow her on the floor of the house for a few minutes because the issue involved abortion.

The problem is, she qualifies under the rules of the house to receive the award on the floor of the House. Both Senate and House communications staff have noted that never before has a Speaker played politics with these feel-good awards, so I think it is a sign Budish is trying to pander to the Democrat base right before an election year.

Here is Jim Siegel in The Dispatch:

Tossing more gas on the partisan fire inside the Statehouse, a member of the House minority leadership team is criticizing the House speaker for declining to recognize a National Right to Life oratory winner on the chamber floor.

Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, wanted to stand before the House chamber and present an honorary House resolution to a Shelby County student for her accomplishment. Although she qualified for the resolution, House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, turned down Adams’ request for a floor presentation.

“It is an outrage that Speaker Budish has decided to politicize and deny the presentation of a proclamation honoring a national pro-life award on the House floor that was previously approved by the speaker,” Adams said in a release.

Ohio Right to Life called it “an unprecedented act of partisanship.”

“Perhaps his real message to Ohio’s teens is that excelling in public speaking isn’t worth being honored if their views are different than his,” said Mike Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life.

And Mike Gonidakis is rightfully upset with Ohio Democrats, and sent this letter to Ohio Dem Chairman Redfern yesterday:

Dear Chairman Redfern,

As you know, ours is a non-partisan organization, and we can demonstrate strong support from both Republicans and Democrats. That is why I was optimistic that there existed a basis for communication on issues of common interest following my recent meeting with you which from my perspective went well. You correctly pointed out that Governor Strickland has been supportive of certain aspects of our agenda, and you certainly acknowledged that there are many Democrats who are sympathetic to all or part of our agenda as well.

Since then, my optimism has waned.

Your heavy hand was reported to be the major factor in forcing Jennifer Garrison, a supporter of pro-life positions, from the Democratic statewide ticket for next fall. It was hard not to interpret that action as a direct slap at the millions of Ohioans, whether Democrat, Republican or Independent who support the cause of life.

Now I am witness to one of the pettiest acts I have ever seen by a so-called political leader. Speaker Budish, as you may know, denied the request of Rep. John Adams to bring an outstanding young constituent, Elizabeth Trisler, to the House floor to receive a proclamation for her achievement in winning the National Right to Life Oratory contest. Her speech, Mr. Redfern, was a powerful and eloquent expression of her deeply held views regarding life. She is the kind of young woman we all would be intensely proud to have as a member of our family.

As you know, the recognition in the House Chamber of outstanding achievement by Ohioans has never been subjected to the kind of political litmus test applied by Speaker Budish, whose office says she was denied the recognition given thousands of other young Ohioans over the years because it was “political.” I wonder if Mr. Budish would allow recognition of a champion debate team only if he agreed with the side it advocated in the championship. Shame on Speaker Budish, with whom we will communicate separately.

You can readily see, Mr. Redfern, these two actions in just a week’s time appear to be a direct attack by your party on the pro-life constituency in Ohio.

My question of you, then, is whether you were sincere when we met. I reported our meeting to my Board, and now feel misled by you. Every appearance is that you and the party establishment are captive of pro-abortion ideologues, so much so that even the simple recognition of a student’s achievement must be rejected for fear of alienating this constituency. What can I report to our constituents concerning the position of the Ohio Democratic Party? I will share your response to this letter with our Board and membership as well.

In the spirit of non-partisanship, I would also like to invite you and your wife to be my guests on the evening of March 5 for our event featuring Sarah Palin as speaker. I am sure you agree that her commitment to life, as evidenced by the way she and her husband welcomed a developmentally challenged son into their family, is inspiring. Please let me know if you are able to attend so that I can make arrangements.

And please know that we would be equally delighted to provide a forum for a solidly pro-life Democrat of national stature. You have only to ask and we will arrange an appropriate event.

Hopefully yours,

Mike Gonidakis
Executive Director
Ohio Right to Life

What an ass:

House Speaker Denies Pro-Life Teen Access to House Floor
Resolution to Honor Teen Oratory Winner Must Be Mailed

COLUMBUS – In an unprecedented act of partisanship, House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beechwood) denied Shelby County teen Elisabeth Trisler a legislative honor routinely presented to others. Budish is refusing to allow Trisler on the House floor to accept a legislative resolution. The resolution, authored by Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney), honors her accomplishment as the National Right to Life Oratory Contest winner. Such honorary resolutions are routinely presented at the start of Ohio House legislative sessions to constituents, including those who win athletic championships or academic contests.

“Surely Speaker Budish can put aside his partisanship for 10 minutes to honor the accomplishments of a talented and optimistic teenage girl,” said Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis. “Perhaps his real message to Ohio’s teens is that excelling in public speaking isn’t worth being honored if their views are different than his.”

Trisler won the National Right to Life Oratory Contest held at the NRLC Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in June, 2009. During the second half of 2009, Rep. Adams’s office worked to schedule the presentation of Trisler’s proclamation on the House floor, as is typical of such awards. The presentation was scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 2010.

However, on January 29th, the House Clerk informed Rep. Adams’s office the presentation was canceled because the Speaker “had a problem with the subject matter.” The Clerk advised the representative’s staff to take the matter up with the Speaker. Speaker Budish supports abortion.

“The Ohio House chamber is a monument to the importance of oratory and persuasion on the great issues facing our state,” added Gonidakis. “Silencing someone because you disagree is a terrible lesson to teach teens. The Speaker should reconsider his unfortunately petty decision.”

“The Ohio House of Representatives is known as the ‘people’s house’,” said State Representative John Adams. “It is an outrage that Speaker Budish has decided to politicize and deny the presentation of a proclamation honoring national pro-life award on the House floor that was previously approved by the Speaker,” Adams said.

Maybe when Speaker Armondo Budish is showing retired seniors how how to knit on his silly TV show, he should tell them about how he horribly he treated a talented teenage girl, simply because it involves the issue of killing unborn babies. I’m sure that would go over well.

I worked at the House for two years, and can’t count the number of these resolutions that were passed out in the House. Is Budish and Ohio House Dems so insecure this election year that they are threatened by a high school student who wins an oratory award?

It was my understanding that a handful of Ohio House Democrats are pro-life, so what do they think now?

This pro-abortion position doesn’t fit well with Judaism, but Speaker Budish is a staunch liberal before anything else- Budish isn’t that Jewish, but he keeps his supposed faith around for campaign purposes. What a jerk.

FactCheck.org says yes.

Maggie Thurber has quotes from Zack Space, John Boccieri, Mary Jo Kilroy, and Tim Ryan- all of whom have concerns about ObamaCare and could easily lose their next election based on this one issue.

And they are especially divided over the public funding of abortion:

In addition to taxes and cost containment, the Ohio delegation remains divided over abortion funding. Democrats Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Steve Driehaus of Cincinnati say they would oppose a bill if it used Medicaid to pay for abortions.

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, an opponent of abortion rights, floated a possible compromise. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Ryan urged that the final version of the bill “makes clear that no insurance company will be required to pay for an abortion except in extraordinary circumstances.”

And don’t forget Sherrod Brown probably isn’t allowed snuggle up next to Connie Schultz’s award-winning hairy armpits and is still sleeping on the sofa after saying this:

Despite contrasting views on abortion, both U.S. senators from Ohio oppose including abortion coverage in any new federal health care plan, their offices said. Republican George Voinovich opposes abortion as well as government subsidies for covering abortions. Democrat Sherrod Brown backs abortion rights, but notes that current federal insurance programs don’t pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. He says those rules should apply to future federally funded health care programs.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule for a telephone interview with me.

I would like to thank Holly Hollingsworth and Ted Hart of the Ohio Attorney General’s office for their assistance in scheduling this interview. Mr. Hart was rightfully skeptical of my interview request, but I thank him for being so polite and gracious.

I gave AG Cordray the opportunity to pause or rephrase any of his answers, but he never used that opportunity. I am a lousy stenographer, so all grammatical errors and typos are exclusively my fault. Below is the transcript: