The early word from Ohio Republicans was that Mitt Romney would campaign today for the union-stripping bill that's up for repeal in a November referendum. They also expected Mr. Romney to come out in favor of a referendum to block health reform. From the AP:
Ohio Republican officials say presidential contender Mitt Romney is coming to Cincinnati to support efforts to pass statewide ballot issues on public employee bargaining and President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
The plan was for Mr. Romney to stop by a phone bank in Cincinnati with a message of support. It turns out, according to a new Quinnipiac poll released today, that voters really do want to repeal the union-stripping bill, SB5:
Ohio voters support 57 - 32 percent the repeal of SB 5, the centerpiece of Gov. John Kasich's legislative program, as the margin against the governor's measure has almost doubled in the last month, from 51 - 38 percent for repeal September 27, a 13-point margin, to a 25-point margin in today's Quinnipiac University poll.
Mr. Romney went to the phone bank, where NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake reports that he said:
Great to be here in Ohio today. I'm not speaking about the particular ballot issues. Those are up to the people of Ohio, but I certainly support the effort of the Governor to rein in the scale of government.I'm not terribly familiar with the two ballot initiatives, but I'm certainly supportive of the Republican Party's efforts here, and happy to have the endorsement of the congressman.
That congressman looks to be Representative Jim Renacci. Mitt Romney got an endorsement, without giving one.
UPDATING: Plunderbund, a progressive blog in Ohio, points out that Mr. Romney endorsed SB5 back in June.