UPSETTING, TO SAY THE LEAST – AT 8:47 A.M. ET:  Just when we thought Mitt Romney had gotten past his reputation for gaffes, he commits one that is world class, and can seriously damage his presidential prospects.

Ah, how we recall Romney's comment, during the primaries, that his wife drove "a couple of Cadillacs," and other gems that do not endear a candidate to voters.

Now Romney is on a foreign trip, meant to demonstrate that he can play in the big leagues, and restore America's relationship with its allies, marred by Obama's sneering attitude toward old friends.  And what does Romney do?  He puts his foot in it, big time.  As he travels to Britain, our closest friend, he openly casts doubt on whether the country is actually ready to host the Olympics, which start, er, tomorrow.  The British press is stunned.

Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, has questioned Britain's preparedness to host the London 2012 Olympics and asked whether the country is genuinely willing to "celebrate" the Games.

He will meet the British political leadership in London on Thursday, including David Cameron, the prime minister, and Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister. Mr Romney is then expected to attend the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

But he told US television there were "disconcerting" signs about Britain's readiness. "It's hard to know just how well it will turn out," he said. "There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging."

What?  This is what you say about Britain when you're trying to show that you want to restore the alliance?  Romney was promptly reprimanded, and publicly so, by British Prime Minister David Cameron.  Now Romney is backtracking:

...in a meeting with Ed Miliband in London, the Republican US presidential candidate avoided criticism of the Olympics organisers and focused on the athletes.

"This event will change the hearts of many, many people," Mr Romney said.

He added: "It is impossible for no mistakes to occur but those are overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes."

However, Mr Romney later made a second gaffe when he referred to Mr Miliband as "Mr Leader".

“Like you Mr Leader I look forward to our conversations this morning and I have had a number of conversations with leaders both present and past and recongise of course the unique relationship that exists between our nations,” he said.

COMMENT:  Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.  Thank you, Mitt, for blowing it on your first day abroad.  This gaffe will dominate political discussion of your trip, make you look like an amateur, and cost you. 

I can just imagine activity at the Democratic National Committee today, as it prepares an ad portraying Romney as out of his depth.  His father, Michigan Governor George Romney, destroyed his 1968 campaign for the presidency with another gaffe linked to a foreign trip.  The senior Romney said he had been "brainwashed" in Vietnam, a comment that ended his political career.

Now his son commits two gaffes.  Ed Miliband is not referred to as "Mr. Leader."  This is basic staff work. 

Romney was making progress in the last week, hammering Obama for the president's comment about American business owners not building their own businesses.  We hope Romney can put this latest episode behind him, but it cannot help.

July 26,  2012