After a stint of strongly floating running for President of United States in 2016, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) decided he won’t.
Portman made the announcement in a statement released early on Tuesday. It was a bit of an about-face from even just a few days earlier when a series of reports had been floating around where Portman was strongly hinting at running for president.
Portman had suggested that his approach would be as sort of an anti-Obama. If he had decided to run, Portman would have leaned on his background as vice chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee with an emphasis on fundraising to be competitive in early Republican primary states.
Here is Portman’s full statement:
“It’s a great honor to represent the people of Ohio in the U.S. Senate, and I have decided to run for re-election in 2016. I am excited about continuing to serve, especially with the change in the Senate leadership.
“With the new Republican majority, I see a real opportunity over the next two years to break the gridlock in Washington and actually get things done to help Ohioans and all Americans. That’s where I believe I can play the most constructive role.
“I don’t think I can run for president and be an effective senator at the same time.
“Over the next two years, I look forward to making progress on stalled policies to jump-start our economy, increase family paychecks, and restore the American Dream.
“Among other things, we now have the chance to fix the out-of-date, uncompetitive tax code to increase pay checks of American workers rather than encouraging companies to take their jobs overseas, cut red tape to help small businesses grow again, and stop the overreach by the Obama Administration. We can and we must export more products stamped ‘Made in America’ around the world to create better jobs and a better future here. We must produce more American energy and use it more efficiently to lower gas prices, add jobs, and make America energy independent. And we must pass a responsible budget to address the record levels of debt.
“I plan to be active on all these issues, and others. I know it will not be easy to break the gridlock and make Washington work, but I’m excited to roll up my sleeves to make a difference for the people of Ohio and the country.
“While I appreciate the encouragement I have received from many to run for president, my focus will remain on Ohio and running for re-election to the Senate in 2016. I look forward to formally announcing my re-election campaign in the new year.”
The nation yawns.
Recognized that supporting marriage equality for his gay son did him in with the base of the GOP, eh?
He’s probably not quite crazy enough for the GOP Clown Car that’s headed down the road in our direction.
I always love it when they pretend that they are going to “fix the tax code.”
Or, given his fund raising capabilities, sees being a broker for other candidates as a much more lucrative opportunity.