I think caution is typical for a senator up for re-election, but if we have an untried candidate like Trump, I’ll cut these guys some slack to see how he runs and what he says. My guess is that his poll numbers will dramatically increase, and that the hesitant senators will get on board with him.
I think Portman is not a weak candidate. Both of our Ohio senators are extremely quiet, though. Sherrod Brown is so out of the news, it’s possible he’s been kidnapped by Martians. Portman is just as quiet. He’s my former congressman, so he’s very well liked around here, but he needs to ramp it up a bit for the rest of the state.
Portman will build up very large numbers in Southwest and SouthCentral Ohio. Kasich will get him support in central Ohio. His dem opponent will have to kill him with a massive effort in Cleveland and Toledo.
Portman is already trailing in the polls. His gay son stance, his trade policies, and above all, his duck and cover approach to dealing with Obama has NOT made him popular, even in the districts you cite. I think he will lose. I won’t be here to vote against him, though.