COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN) -- Recent poll numbers showing a nearly even split between voters for and against Ohio Issue 2, the "Drug Price Relief Act", are prompting different conclusions, depending on which campaign spokesperson is asked about it.
State Issue 2 would force drug providers to sell prescription medication to Ohio's medical care programs for the same prices it sells to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"I don't know how the drug companies could be having a worse time than what they've experienced over the last couple of days." That's how Matt Borges, the spokesman for Yes on Issue 2, describes the numbers, in a Tuesday afternoon conference call with reporters. Borges quoted a set of poll numbers which he says changes when 'undecided' voters are asked to choose 'yes' or 'no'. When pressed by a reporter to provide documentation, Borges declined.
"Well, you know, one of the iron laws of politics is that the campaign that talks first about poll numbers is losing," said Dale Butland, spokesperson for the No on Issue 2 campaign. His group calls it a deceptive ballot issue, claiming any company anywhere will recoup costs somewhere else. Butland says the proposed Constitutional amendment would save the average Ohioan nothing.
"When you make $711-billion in profits over the last ten years, you're going to do everything you can think of, hire anyone you can, spend the kind of money you can spend, to try to muddy the waters and hide this issue," Borges stated.
"Mark Twain once said a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still tying its shoes," Butland added.