Posted on 08/28/2014 6:29:33 PM PDT by xzins
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is being urged to form a presidential exploratory committee as the first step in running for the White House in 2016, but the Ohio Republican will not make any decisions until after the November elections.
An exploratory committee would allow Portman to raise money to pay for travel and other expenses to states such as New Hampshire and Iowa which will be holding the first presidential contests of 2016.
Although Portman and his aides say he is currently focused on running for re-election in 2016, the first-term senator has long had ambitions for national office.
Portman campaigned Tuesday in New Hampshire on behalf of Republican Scott Brown, who is challenging Sen. Jean Shaheen, D-N.H. But Portman also made a separate appearance earlier in the day in Manchester, N.H., fueling intense speculation that he plans to run for president.
Although a source close to Portman stressed that the Ohio Republican has not officially decided to run for the White House or even form an exploratory committee, forming an exploratory committee is the first major move made by presidential candidates in both parties.
He also is a regular on cable TV shows and is the chief fund-raiser for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. If Republicans seize control of the Senate in November, Portman will receive much of the credit because of the millions of dollars he has raised on behalf of GOP candidates.
More power to him. It will split the establishment vote.
Portman was my former congressman from the Ohio 2nd. At that time he was a died in the wool conservative. He got elevated by the Bushes, and apparently infected at the same time.
He’s establishment now...it seems.
Maybe he’s a conservative Manchurian candidate splitting the vote with establishment types, but who cares about conspiracy, because he WILL split the establishment vote.
Go for it, Rob. Beat that Mitt!
He’s a stalking horse, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s for Mitt
Oh, I thought it was Natalie.
Anybody but Mitt in 2016. Mitt is a gentleman and nice guy but does not have the personality to fight hand to hand combat in presidential politics.
I like Jindal but he is also too mild mannered. I had enough of country club republicans with their mild manners.
If anything, he’s a Bushie. I’d think Jeb before Mitt.
We had a local Mitt Event during the last election, and the Mitt Spawn were supposed to show up on the Mitt Bus. Rob was to introduce them.
They didn’t show. Rob did a good job, but behind the scenes he didn’t look thrilled. Neither was our very conservative Republican group.
yet another RINO being “urged”
See, see, you mean-old so-con right-wingers! Portman’s our guy! Why, he’s the ONE Republican the Dems fear the most, I tell ya! Boy, are they shaking in their boots right now!
he’s a turd
I’m not real sure what Portman brings to the race. Some budget experience. Some Senate experience. There was a time I’d have said that he brought stability, but I wonder about someone who gets so out of touch with his kids that he doesn’t know one of them is a homosexual. That doesn’t strike me as stability. It strikes me as absentee.
I have met him in several capacities.
Nice guy.
Policy wonk.
Exudes the charisma of a dead gerbil.
Picked last for dodge ball.
Sits when he pees.
But that is just my opinion, and I don’t feel strongly about it.
If Portman becomes President, the LEGALIZATION OF GAY MARRIAGE IN AMERICA, slowly started by Obama will be complete.
I know he’s lower than pond scum. But I was paraphrasing the thinking of the RINO establishment.
please no, for crying out loud
is there not a conservative which can run. These homosexual , amnesty girlie guys need to stop
Pro-sodomy. A deal killer.
Let’s not forget that this tool was against homo marriage until he found out his daughter was a homo—then he changed his mind and is now for it! He would not get my vote.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.