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Inside Politics

Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine: Ramaswamy Ad "Deeply, Deeply Troubling"; Poll: Trump's Approval Among Young Voters Is At 21 Percent; Arkansas GOP Incumbent Faces First Competitive Race In A Decade; Trump Red- State Campaign Blitz Hits Iowa. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired October 22, 2026 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[12:00:00]

DANA BASH, CNN HOST, INSIDE POLITICS: A Republican governor issues a stinging rebuke of the Republican trying to replace him.

I'm Dana Bash. Let's go behind the headlines at Inside Politics.

There are 12 days until the election, and we're tracking the races, candidates, and stories that could shift the balance of power in Washington and across the country. Here's what's on our midterm radar.

We start with the breaking news out of Ohio. Republican Governor Mike DeWine is denouncing Vivek Ramaswamy. The Republican who wants to replace him, over the new ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother. Listen to what DeWine said just moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. MIKE DEWINE (R-OH): The ad, on its face, is deeply, deeply troubling. But when you know the rest of the story, when you know the back story, when you know that the husband of the mom was indicted by a grand jury after hearing testimony, and that he took off along with the mother, and that two children never saw, I guess the mother after that.

When you know that, it just to me makes it more serious, it makes it just more wrong. So, it's wrong to run this ad. And even at this late time, my wife Fran saw the ad run this morning on TV. I would just urge the Ramaswamy campaign to take this down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: The governor is not rescinding his endorsement of fellow Republican Ramaswamy, but those are some tough words. We're going to have much more on this in a moment. Now to Michigan, where loyalty was a major topic in the final debate of the crucial Senate race. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed accused Republican Mike Rogers of standing, quote, hip to hip with President Trump, while Rogers is not letting up on his accusation that El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim brotherhood.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE ROGERS, (R) MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE: If you are going to go to the United States Senate, we need to know, are you for America or are you for these terrorist groups overseas?

ABDUL EL-SAYED, (D) MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE: To bring into question my commitment to the constitution is really beneath you. I am proud of America. I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud of our constitution that guarantees all of us the right to pray as we choose to pray. And the question that you would ask that I think is actually really quite shameful as somebody who's actually served under that constitution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim senator. On the Kansas debate stage, Republican incumbent Senator Roger Marshall and his Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, clashed over what's driving high diesel prices. It's a critical issue for the state's agriculture economy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ROGER MARSHALL (R-KS): The real problem with the cost of diesel, in particular, is number one is the Ukraine war, and because of that, diesel production has gone down.

ADAM HAMILTON, (D) KANSAS SENATE CANDIDATE: He just said that the war in Iran is not the problem. The war in Ukraine is a problem. The Ukrainians trying to defend themselves are the reason why we have record diesel prices. Nobody believes that. This happened in response to the war in Iran that didn't need to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: President Trump also blames Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries for soaring diesel prices. And a new poll from Harvard shows young voters overwhelmingly breaking for Democrats in the race for the House. On a generic congressional ballot, voters under 30 picked the Democratic candidate over the Republican, 63 to 26 percent. Now, the president's approval rating among young voters is just 21 percent, 25 percent among young men who were a key part of the coalition that helped return Donald Trump to the White House.

I'm joined by a terrific group of reporters here. And Adam Wren, I'm going to start with you. You live in the Midwest. You're not in Ohio. You're in Indiana, but you certainly, you know, understand the sensibility of the people but the politics. The fact that Mike DeWine decided to walk out and talk to state house reporters and condemn the Republican who wants to take his job and say take this extremely controversial ad off the air. I mean, just in terms of the sort of seismic nature of this political moment. Put it in context.

[12:05:00]

ADAM WREN, CO-AUTHOR, POLITICO PLAYBOOK: Yeah. You're exactly right, Dana. This is significant, you know, I grew up in Ohio, and Mike DeWine is really sort of the last gasp of an older school, kinder, gentler Republican Party. He's a Bush era Republican. And you have to remember here, DeWine sort of moved behind the scenes to elevate Jim Tressel, the former Ohio State University Buckeyes coach, as his lieutenant governor, and ultimately, you know, wanted to see him succeed him and not Ramaswamy.

The alliance with Ramaswamy was always delicate and fragile, and you have to remember, DeWine also spoke up and out against, you know, former senator from Ohio J. D. Vance when it came to the Springfield -- the Springfield disinformation about Haitian immigrants eating pets. And so, this is something that morally bothers the governor of Ohio, who is a Republican, and he's always been uncomfortable with Ramaswamy and some of the leaps that Ramaswamy is willing to take to advance his political cause.

So, this is a significant break, and it does show that there is still a line in the sand between MAGA Republicanism and non-MAGA Republicanism. And look, non-MAGA Republican voters are going to be consequential in this midterms. We've seen them being won over by candidates in Texas like James Talarico at a significant percentage, so they're going to be consequential.

BASH: And Jeff Zeleny, just sort of picking up on that, the fact that Ramaswamy ran this ad, which the shorthand way of saying it, it features his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton's mother, whom she's estranged from, and was taken -- Acton was taken away from her mother along with her brother when they were young because of accusations of sexual abuse and more and has not talked to her.

The fact that Ramaswamy, there's no question they understood there would be backlash and still went ahead with it, makes you think not just that there's sort of a desperation because of where the polls are, but that they saw something to suggest that, in out of context, if you just saw this ad, it would help them.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: I mean, one would hope. Otherwise, just simply throwing up a really disgusting Hail Mary like this, you know, without -- at least hoping it would help them, I guess, would be even more disturbing than this. But the bottom line here is, as Adam was just talking about this, I mean, Vivek Ramaswamy has struggled throughout the year to connect with Ohio Republican voters. Vivek Ramaswamy has always been a stronger candidate online than in real life. He was in his presidential campaign, and he has been as the Republican nominee for governor of Ohio.

But look, it is still a very divided state, and Republicans have so many advantages there. So, the question is, he clearly is trying to stop some people from voting for Amy Acton. But I think what he's done in the process here is just really brought this story to the fore, which most people did not have any understanding of. And he has humanized Amy Acton. I think he has made, you know, an incredible amount of empathy and sympathy for her.

So, look, we will see how this plays. But I think the most striking thing about Governor DeWine's comments this morning, I mean, he is a lingering Republican from a different era. There's no doubt. But the vice president's comments yesterday had zero effect on him, and they had zero effect on many other Republicans in Ohio. So, to me, for J. D. Vance going forward with this, his comments will stick with him. But I think it's so interesting how they have had very, very little effect. He is not Donald Trump by any means.

BASH: I've heard from so many Republicans saying exactly that that they think that Vance totally misjudged it. And what Republicans and now add DeWine to the list are trying to do is give Republicans a warning, not admonish them. They're trying to help Republicans by warning this is not the right way to go.

Lauren Fox, you have been covering the story on the ground in Ohio. You have talked to Amy Acton and also voters. And again, as I said, one of the things that that I'm hearing from people in Ohio who want Acton to win is that they think that that their campaign, although they were on it, they put the ad out with her brother. She's been doing interviews. They need to continue to be more aggressive to push back on this ad so that people, even low information voters, can at least get an inkling that it's not as it seems.

[12:10:00]

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, she certainly isn't shying away from it. And yesterday, when I was with her at this small farm event in Northwest Ohio, she actively addressed this issue after actually a woman in the crowd that she addressed. Said to her that she wanted to give her a hug, and they sort of had this emotional moment. And after that, Amy Acton said, look, I think this is the elephant in the room and let me tell you a little bit about my childhood.

And that is when she talked about what she said was severe neglect and abuse that her and her brother suffered. And obviously, her mother lost custody of her when she was just 12 years old. She has not seen her since. But you know, Dana, I think it speaks to the fact that she is not afraid to talk about this because I think she believes that on the one hand, this helps her connect with voters. People have gone through things in their lives, and she argues that her talking about what her past experiences can actually help her in this race.

And I have been talking to voters around the suburbs of Cleveland this morning, and I will tell you that every single person I've talked to has seen this ad, has heard about this ad. Some people have even started seeing it on television now. Obviously, there was a question of if it was going to air, it's airing. And a lot of people I talked to, some of them Democrats, some of them independents, say that they simply sometimes just want to turn the channel when they see it because they do know this backstory now.

So, I do think her team has been effective at starting to communicate that backstory. And I should note, like this is something she's talked about in the past. It is not something that she's hidden publicly from, but it is certainly something that is now a dynamic of this race, and her team believes that they are just going to continue talking about it, continue embracing it, because in isolation that Vivek Ramaswamy ad is, is misleading at best.

BASH: I just want to quickly play a little bit of what Acton told Lauren yesterday, and Nia, you pick it up at the -- at the other side.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) AMY ACTON, (D) OHIO GOVERNOR CANDIDATE: I'd hoped he wouldn't sink this low, but of course he did. I had a childhood of extreme physical abuse and sexual abuse. As a kid, my brother and I have frequent flyers and children's services finally removed after a grand jury saw evidence that was so, so shocking that we were removed from my mother's custody at the age of 12.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Nia?

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, BLOOMBERG POLITICAL & POLICY COLUMNIST: You know, it's hard to watch. This has stoked up for her. I'm sure, some painful memories for her brother too. Of course, cut that ad talking about himself being abused by the stepfather. Listen, I think if you're J. D. Vance, he has a theory which is no enemies to the right. So, he is going to cover for Vivek Ramaswamy with this ad. He also has a theory. If you think back to what he was doing in 2024, the whole idea about people eating pets, even when it was found out that that was not true, he essentially said, well, it doesn't matter because it points to a larger story that he wants to tell.

And I think the story that Vivek Ramaswamy wants to tell in this is that Amy Acton is unfit to be governor because she's not well. She has mental health problems and she's unstable, right? And that has been the tenor of a lot of their ads and a lot of their attacks on her. I think it is incumbent upon Amy Acton to do exactly what she's doing, which is to explain her story. It obviously humanizes her. It makes her connect with voters, and I do think it'll blow back on Vivek Ramaswamy as well as J. D. Vance.

This is going to have a long tail for him because it makes him look so tone deaf. They are using this woman. The mother herself looks unwell, seems unwell, and this is the face of the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign at this point, rather than -- rather than what he wants to do for the folks in Ohio.

BASH: All right, everybody, stand by. Up next, I'm going to speak with a powerful House Republican fighting for something. He likely never expected his seat in red Arkansas. Congressman French Hill is my guest next. Plus, why is the political world so fascinated on Michigan. Well, I went to the birthplace of the Reagan Democrat to explain what makes the state swingy and how this race could impact 2020.

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[12:15:00]

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BASH: It's been 16 years since the Arkansas 2nd district voted to send a Democrat to Congress. Incumbent Republican French Hill, who chairs the powerful House Financial Services Committee, has represented that seat near Little Rock for more than a decade with little Democratic competition. This cycle, it could be different. This month, the Cook Political Report moved the seat onto the battleground, shifting it from solid to likely Republican.

Congressman Chairman French Hill joins me now. Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate it. What is your argument to voters --

REP. FRENCH HILL (R-AR): It's good to be with you.

BASH: Thank you. What is your argument to voters who are exhausted by the war and tariffs and don't think the president is keeping a lot of his promises. Why should they still vote for you, a Republican?

HILL: Well, Dana, it's good to be with you. I think the mission I have is to continue the incredible work ethic that I've had for the past decade in Congress to serve the people here. I was a community banker here. I was the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. I was the Rotary president on the board of the hospital. I've devoted my life to Central Arkansas and people know that.

[12:20:00]

They know I've brought $100 million back for our veterans in this district during my time in Congress. I brought the first Fisher House, which is for our veterans to be able to stay without having to have any overnight charges while they're loved ones are at our McClellan VA hospital here in Little Rock. So, it's my record of service, plus legislatively leading the Financial Services Committee that helps for a better economy, and passing 27 bills and having those signed into law by both Democratic and Republican presidents.

BASH: So, you just listed your very deep connection and credentials for your district, but if there are voters who maybe tend to vote Republican and are so annoyed with your fellow Republican in the White House that they either will just stay home or maybe an independent minded Republican would vote for the Democrat. What's your argument about that?

HILL: Well, first I've worked under President Obama, President Biden, of course, President Trump in both his terms. And when they've taken actions that I disagree with or I don't think helps America or helps Arkansas, I speak out. In the case of the current administration, as well as President Trump's first term, I don't support across the board tariffs. I think tariffs should be used very strategically to open up new markets, punish bad actors in order to benefit American producers.

But President Trump has chosen that path, and where he's done that, I've disagreed with it. I think we ought to renew the USMCA, which is very important to about 30 percent of the GDP here in Arkansas, and so that's one example. I've differed with him as I did with President Biden as well as the conduct of how to best get Russia out of Ukraine, and those are just two examples.

But my point is that when I disagree with the president, I speak up, and I think that was made abundantly clear across every front page in America this year. When my housing bill, he refused to sign it, and he knew that we had the votes to override a veto, and that housing bill, which is the first in three decades, is now law and will benefit not only Arkansas but communities all across our country. BASH: I talked to your Democratic challenger last week. Here's some of what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS JONES, (D) ARKANSAS CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: French Hill, who's the most powerful banker in Congress, used his power to remove the $5 cap on overdraft and junk fees. And so, folks are wondering if he's using his power for the big banks, then what -- then why is he not helping us? And they're ready for a new direction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: So, he's arguing that you care more about big banks than your constituents. What's your response?

HILL: Well, I think it's ridiculous, and clearly, he hasn't read the Biden CFPB, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule there, which would, in my view, limit overdraft protection, which is essential to so many families across the country. In fact, when I was a community banker for 15 years before I was in Congress, we had banks' locations in the poorest counties in my district -- in my state, down in Ashley and Chico County, and I know how important overdraft protection is.

A price cap that President Biden put out in his waning days of presidency would take that away from families who desperately need it. And my opponent talks about accountability, he doesn't even file his own House ethics form to tell us where his money is coming from that he's taking out of his election account. And I think that's disingenuous and I don't believe that he's the right person to represent Central Arkansas.

BASH: Congressman Chairman French Hill, thank you so much for being here. I appreciate it.

HILL: Dana, good to be with you. Appreciate your show and the good work you do.

BASH: Thank you. And up next, President Trump's red state rescue tour. The White House is adding new stops, including one of the reddit states in the entire country.

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[12:25:00]

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BASH: Today, President Trump heads to his next red state and red city in that state, Sioux City, Iowa, which the president won by double digits in 2024. Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson will join him. Her race against Democrat Josh Turek is one of the many no clear leaders in this very tight race for control of the Senate (Ph). Hinson has walked a tightrope, appearing with the president but distancing herself from some of his policies, like the Iran war. CNN's Kristen Holmes is at the White House. So, Kristen, what are you hearing from your Trump sources about what we should expect today if they can give such a roadmap for any of the president's speech?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You're right. We can give what they're thinking that could be expected today, but obviously, you know, comments about men's bodies or agility, I don't know if that's written down ahead of time. But just thinking about what we've seen for the past week, this is going to mirror speech, like we saw in Kansas, a place where there is an enormous amount of farmers and farmers who are struggling because of President Trump's policies.

You're looking at tariffs, trade war, all of that has risen the prices for farmers and the cost of diesel with the Iran war. Again, Trump's own policies, his own initiatives, like the war in Iran, are the things that have driven the cost up. So, you're going to hear him talking about reimbursements and subsidies that he's given to farmers. He's going to talk about that $5,000 that he is loosely promising to all adults if Republicans win both the House and the Senate, trying to give some kind of financial incentives there.

And this is a state, you know, you talk about Ashley Hinson. It was unclear she was going to appear next to Trump because Trump is just so widely unpopular in the state of Iowa. And Vance had been there earlier a couple months ago. Ashley Hinson did not appear. She said she had a scheduling conflict. We have seen Hinson standing next to Trump, but that's in the Oval Office signing various different bills that do benefit Iowa in terms of campaigning.

It was a real question as to whether or not she was going to show up because in the CNN Poll of Polls, which we've just pulled up here, there is no clear leader. In fact, you have