Portman, GOP work to secure Ohio for Romney

The Highland County Press

Long rumored to be on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's short list for vice president, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman recognizes the pressure of delivering Ohio's crucial 18 electoral votes.

In a story by NBC's Andrew Rafferty, the senator from southwest Ohio says he feels the pressure to secure the Buckeye State for Romney.

"I already feel the pressure," Portman said when asked whether he felt he would be responsible for ensuring that Ohio is a red state on Nov. 6.

Portman chairs the Ohio campaign effort for Romney.

"I'm feeling good about things because there is a just a lot of volunteers who are stepping forward," Portman told Rafferty. "I haven't seen energy like this in past elections, presidential or otherwise... My focus is going to be Ohio. And I do believe that this year, Ohio could make the difference again." ...

"The leader of the free world is really determined by our state."

“Senator Portman is worth 3 to 5 points in Ohio,” said Ohio GOP chairman Bob Bennett. “Independents like Portman. And Democrats don’t get mad at him.”

Even a former Cabinet member for Democratic President Bill Clinton, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, said this about Portman in a 1999 interview with National Review: “I hope he’s president of the United States in another 12 years. He’s one of the finest public servants I’ve met in America.”

Portman, R-Terrace Park, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, running a campaign that focused on common-sense conservative ideas to help create jobs and get the deficit under control. He won 82 of Ohio's 88 counties, including more than 72 percent of the vote in Highland County.

Portman served Ohio Second Congressional District for 12 years, beginning in 1993. He never received less than 70 percent of the vote in the district.

In 2005, Portman served in President Bush's Cabinet as United States trade representative, followed by a second Cabinet post, this time as director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Portman is scheduled to continue campaigning for Romney in Pennsylvania on Monday.