THREAD: This was a striking sequence at today's press conference.
@GovMikeDeWine is explicitly asked about his refusal to call out President Trump, and he proceeds to give a minutes-long answer where he again refuses to call out President Trump.
Part 2 of DeWine answer: "I'm not here to answer every single thing the president says."
And Part 3. Solid job on the question & follow-up from @andy_chow here:
Here is the bottom line: @GovMikeDeWine is transparent in his effort to play it both ways.
He is an honorary state chair to Trump's campaign. He cut a video in support of Trump for the RNC.
But he doesn't believe he has to answer to any of Trump's controversies.
When it is in DeWine's interest, he lavishes praise on President Trump. These are all within the past week.
When it is not in DeWine's interest, he pivots. My focus is on Ohio ... I'm not going to comment on everything Trump says ... I didn't see what Trump said ...
It's one thing to ignore Trump's controversies entirely. But of late, DeWine thinks it is enough to address them generically — a statement from nowhere — as if that should count as condemnation.
It doesn't. And that's why he keeps getting asked about it.
DeWine was pressured to "do something" to curb gun violence after a Dayton shooting killed 9 people shortly into his first term
He proposed gun reforms, but the GOP legislature rejected it. DeWine has signed "permitless carry" and "Stand Your Ground" legislation into law instead
Happy Presidents Day! I'll be sharing some news clippings today about the presidents from Ohio
Starting off with this item from 1871 dunking on Ulysses S. Grant
The Cleveland Plain Dealer referred to "President" Rutherford B. Hayes in quotes during his administration because it believed he lost the controversial 1876 election
Before entering politics, James A. Garfield used to give public lectures on geology
This new courthouse was necessary because the old one burned down in 1879. Construction began in 1880 with an estimated cost of around $100,000.
A local "building fund" was levied on Henry Co. residents to pay for it.
Construction dragged on, and there was some kerfuffle in 1881 when it became apparent extra money would be needed to pay the heating apparatus, furniture, outdoor sidewalks...
That's when the state representative for Henry County offered his help