Posted on 09/13/2011 8:24:40 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
Like a proud father looking to relinquish control of the family business, Sen. John McCain is pushing soft-spoken Sen. Rob Portman to take a more assertive leadership role on Capitol Hill.
Long impressed with Portman’s policy expertise and agreeable demeanor — “It’s a trait I wish I had more of,” the often-prickly Arizona Republican said — McCain strongly urged Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to appoint the Ohioan to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction and continues to encourage his freshman GOP colleague, at times rather strongly, to be more aggressive.
This isn’t the first time that McCain, his party’s 2008 presidential nominee, has taken an interest in a new Member. The 75-year-old identified Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) as an up-and-comer soon after he arrived in the chamber, and the two are now personally close and joined on many issues.
After five terms in office, McCain indicated his star is on the wane, but he appears intent on finding a successor to replace him on the national stage.
During an interview with Roll Call last week, McCain offered that his career is on the “downside.”
(snip)
Portman said McCain’s background as a former Republican presidential nominee, his military experience and his longevity in the Senate make him uniquely suited to the role of pushing and encouraging promising young Members.
McCain said that, in addition to Portman, he also sees freshman Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.) as Members with great potential.
Graham, now approaching a decade in the Senate, said McCain’s tutelage offered him opportunities to get involved in legislation that would be taken seriously because of the Arizona Republican’s stature.
(Excerpt) Read more at rollcall.com ...
There’s a slight problem here - PORTMAN ISN’T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING A RINO.
I must stink under McCain’s wing.
Then again, look at how many conservatives have liberals friends, and vice versa. McCain may just like the whole idea of being a mentor type.
I heard that Graham wasn't a RINO either...that is, until he was turned to the dark side by McCain.
I thought that was Hillary's job.
What do you mean, 'wrong thread'?
Portman is a good guy, a legitimate VP candidate this time around. On the other hand, McCain...
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