Strategy Session: August 8, 2023

David Pepper writes: “For the first time in modern memory, Ohio Republicans attached conditions to legislation that extended the deadline for a presidential nominee to be placed on the Ohio ballot. In the past, including in 2020, this has always been done as a matter of course, and for nominees of either party. "

Another big warning sign for Trump and MAGA after a massive underperformance in Ohio. Why Sherrod Brown has to be optimistic after a 20 point decline for Republicans... in Trump country, no less. How should Democrats message the Hunter Biden verdict? Joe thinks it's simpler than everyone is making it. And with more good news on the economy - will President Biden's performance start catching up to battleground Senate candidates? And Joe gets his crystal ball back out to answer a few listener questions.

David Pepper looks at the mafia-impersonating letter from Ohio AG Dave Yost to higher education leaders, in which he isues warnings of potential federal law violations, criminal penalties for universities and colleges in Ohio, and menacingly advising them to "act wisely."

Rick Wilson takes us through the circus-like post-presidency of Donald J. Trump, the weak leadership of Mike Johnson, the political flip-flopping of Chris Sununu, and the alarming embrace of Putinism by J.D. Vance.

David Pepper writes, "Most have no clue their own dollars are playing such a big role in Ohio politics. Still, struggling Ohioans have been bankrolling the campaigns of powerful Ohio politicians for years."