October 28, 2011
By Jay Townsend

When lack of preparation comes at a price.

Mitt Romney was in Ohio this week. He was asked about the ballot propositionthe one being pushed by the Governorthat would reform the collective bargaining laws of the public employee unions. Romney gave an evasive answer, saying it was up to the people of Ohio, which prompted articles in both the liberal New York Times, the conservative Wall Street Journal, guffaws from both the left and the right, and a spear from Rick Perry.

A day later, while campaigning in Virginia, Romney got around to clarifying his statement, stating that he is 110% behind Governor Kasichs effort to curb the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions.

According to the New York Times, Mr. Romney said his refusal to take a position was meant to be directed at other Ohio ballot initiatives that he was unfamiliar with.

Unfamiliar with? Please. There are three propositions on the ballot in Ohio. One reforms collective bargaining rights, one affects the age at which judges can be elected, and the third one exempts residents of Ohio from national health care mandates, i.e. the Obamacare provision requiring that everybody buy health insurance.

Others are piling on Governor Romney for what is perceived as an attempt to straddle the fence. I wont.

My point is that his staff sent him into Ohio, had him visit a call center where volunteers were trying to line up support for the Kasich ballot measure, apparently without briefing him on other measures that were on the ballot, including one that has huge implications for Obamacare. How could a man who has pledged to repeal Obamacare claim to be unfamiliar with a ballot measure that attempts to gut Obamacare in Ohio?

It would not have been hard for Romneys staff to do a little homework. Google ballot propositions Ohio 2011.

A lesson in this for all candidates who are running for public office. Make sure you are fully briefed about the state, city and jurisdiction you are planning to visit before you visit. Youll look a little silly saying you are unfamiliar with an issue that everyone else is talking about, especially if it is related to one of your major campaign promises.
http://jaytownsend.com/campaign-and-communication-tips/when-lack-of-preparation-comes-at-a-price/