Northeast Ohio GOP Wants Portman For Veep
Northeast Ohio Republican insiders say if Mitt Romney picks a running mate from this important swing state, it should be Sen. Rob Portman, according to results from Patch's first Red Northeast Ohio survey.
Northeast Ohio Republican insiders say if Mitt Romney picks a running mate from this important swing state, it should be Sen. Rob Portman, according to results from Patch's first Red Northeast Ohio survey.
While a majority of the survey respondents, made up of local elected officials, GOP party leaders and activists, said they were not sure if Romney should pick an Ohioan for his vice presidential candidate, Portman was the clear preference.
Only 18 of 50 respondents said they wanted Romney to select a vice presidential candidate from Ohio, with 23 saying they were not sure.
But 33 of the 50 insiders surveyed said Portman was the best choice if Romney wanted an Ohioan. Only one person surveyed said Romney should choose Gov. John Kasich, once considered a rising GOP star until he was politically wounded in a skirmish over collective bargaining rights.
Portman, who hails from Cincinnati, is the junior senator in Ohio. He was elected in 2010.
Media reports say that Portman is a serious contender to be named as Romney's running mate. His name enters conversations along with other high profile Republicans such as Tim Pawlenty and Bobby Jindal.
Donna Finney, a Republican who is a city councilwoman in Mayfield Heights and who took the survey, said Portman is the clear choice for Ohio Republicans.
"They know him best and they want someone from Ohio," she said. "They think he is doing a good job."
But some Republicans don't care whether Romney's running mate is from Ohio. They just want someone that will help Romney win.
"He should pick the right person for the job," said Tim Fox, a councilman in North Canton.
Learn more about Patch's Red/Blue Northeast Ohio surveys
EDITOR'S NOTE: Patch will be conducting Red Northeast Ohio and Blue Northeast Ohio surveys throughout the election eason in hopes of determining the true sentiment of Republicans and Democrats on the ground in Ohio.
Our surveys are not a scientific random sample of any larger population but rather an effort to listen to a swath of influential local Republicans. All of these individuals have agreed to participate in the surveys, although not all responded to this week's questions. Surveys were conducted between July 10 and July 16, 2012.
If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in a weekly surveys that lasts just a few minutes, please email Senior Regional Editor Jean Dubail at jean.dubail@patch.com
Wade
11:06 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Natalie Portman would help get my vote.
Evan Hammersmith
11:50 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I don't understand the appeal of Portman to Romney. I voted for Portman and hope he'll prove to vote as a conservative in the coming years. That being said, he has almost no name recognition nationally. Barely a track record (in senate for 2 years). He beat Fisher by a wide margin, but Fisher was a total loser. The VP should be a strong choice for Pres in 8 years. Portman *could be a strong choice, but he'll have entered the VP short on executive experience. While we're overdue for an Ohioan in the executive branch, I don't see what makes him better than the other choices...
Robert Mihaly
1:35 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
To be blunt about it, and after a day of nonsense about Mandel's premature run for the Senate, who cares about Portman for Veep. I'm with Wade, but I don't know whether Natalie Portman is old enough for the office. Rob Portman's ONLY executive experience was as Dubya's Budget Director and Trade Negotiator. WE all know what a disaster those stints were...doubling the National Debt in 8 years and lots more jobs lost to the Third World. Of course, that would fit in nicely with Romney's business forte...offshoring. But it would be a disaster for what's left of the Middle Class.
Evan Hammersmith
1:56 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Robert, not sure why you're bothering to comment. You wouldn't vote for Romney regardless of who he chose for VP. So who gives a rip what you think?
Robert Mihaly
10:50 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Maybe the people who aren't wearing red colored blinders as they veer further and further the wrong way...to the right. Durn tootin' I wouldn't vote for bully boy. I want to live in a democracy...not a corporate-obeisant plutocracy.
Adam C. Miller
1:29 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Sherrod Brown = 19 years in Congress...
Robert Mihaly
9:57 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Whatever the number of years, Sherrod Brown has served all the people well...not just the self-appointed elite. You can't say that any more about the majority of politicians. Some of them can't even tell the truth even after they've been caught in a multitude of "pants on fire" lies.
JIM STARKEY
11:05 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
You can not be seriuos!! Or are you uninformed, or a liberal who does not care that he has spent all of our money "to serve the people" and is actually a fringe nutcase!