GOP candidate says he’ll 'take tough questions' then immediately refuses to answer question

11 July 2024

Ohio Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno is letting reporters know they can feel free to ask him tough questions — unless those questions are about something he doesn't want to talk about.

Moreno managed to contradict himself within seconds of assuring a gaggle of journalists that, unlike his opponent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), whom he accused of dodging the press, he would be "transparent" with the news media. NBC News' Frank Thorp V captured an exchange in which Moreno was asked about abortion following his promise of transparency, whereupon Moreno refused to answer the question and pivoted to attacking President Joe Biden.

"If you can't come out here, and address the media, and talk to reporters, and give your position and be unequivocal and clear, you have no business being in elected office," Moreno said. "You need people who are clear and transparent, and who will tell people where they stand."

"I can tell you this, if I'm here, I will talk to you at any point in time, even take tough questions," he added. "Sherrod Brown won't do that."

At that point, Punchbowl News reporter Andrew Desiderio asked Moreno a question about abortion, which pollsters have consistently found is one of the key issues for voters heading into the November election.

"You said earlier this week that you support some restrictions on abortion, up to 15 weeks," Desiderio said. "Do you think that contradicts with the party's new platform, its position on this issue?"

"We're not here to talk about abortion," Moreno responded instantly. "My position has been crystal, crystal clear, it has not changed on abortion. You're gonna see the Democrats pull out everything they've got to try to change the subject."

At that point, Moreno changed the subject to talk about "someone at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" who is not capable of doing the job as president. He also notably did not elaborate on what his "crystal, crystal clear" position was on abortion, though Columbus, Ohio CBS affiliate WBNS reported this week that Moreno does indeed support restrictions on abortion after 15 weeks of gestation.

Moreno declining to answer Desiderio's question may be due to Ohio recently voting in the 2023 elections to pass a statewide ballot initiative enshrining abortion rights in the Buckeye State's Constitution. The Ohio abortion question's passage was particularly noteworthy given that Ohio is no longer considered a swing state after former President Donald Trump won it twice by comfortable margins. Sen. Brown is the last remaining Democratic elected official in Ohio at the statewide level.

Watch the video of Moreno's exchange with Desiderio below, or by clicking this link.

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