Portman calls on Republicans to get back to basics

Rob Portman (center): with Columbiana GOP chair David Johnson (left)Former Congressman and Bush cabinet member Rob Portman (R-Cincinnati) called for Republicans to get "back to basics" during the Columbiana County annual Republican finance dinner Thursday night at Salem Golf Club.

Speaking to the crowd of about 160, Portman said Republicans need to get back to being the party of fiscal responsibility, ethical behavior and results for taxpayers. Portman also promoted John McCain and spoke about Republican losses in 2006.

"Two-thousand six was a pretty tough year for Ohio Republicans," he said. Portman said when voters were asked why they switched from voting Republican to voting Democratic, the number one issue "wasn't Iraq, it wasn't health care, it wasn't education, it was spending."

"Voters punished Republicans because we were spending too much of their taxpayer dollars," he said. "Here we are, the party that should be standing for fiscal discipline, but we were the party punished for having spent too much."

He said the second issue that swung voters was ethics.

"Now, again, as a Republican, I am very proud of our party. I'm very proud of our tradition. I'm embarrassed by the fact that we're getting the reputation of being that party that doesn't care about those people elected enough to have ethical representatives in government to focus on the sacred trust of public service. That's what we stand for, don't we?"

Portman said 2006 was a tough year but could serve as a wake-up call that Republicans "need to get back to who we are."

"We are the party of lower taxes. We are the party of smaller government. We are the party for ethics," he said. "I'm going to throw another one in that sometimes people don't think should be part of the principles of the party, but I think it's rather important, and that's a focus on results."

Portman said Democrats and Republicans alike are too focused on partisan advantages, and not enough on breaking through partisan gridlock to help people.

"I think as Republicans we have a responsibility to get back to our core values, to be who we are as Republicans," he said. "Frankly, I think if we don't do that - don't get back to our core values, what we stand for, taking on the ethics issue squarely, and focusing on results - it's going to be tough for us, as Republicans."

Portman with Johnson: with Ohio House 01 candidate Caroline Hergenrother

Portman also focused on Ohio's economy.

"Ohio really never came out of the last recession," he said. "Ohio is one of only two states in the United States that hasn't added one net new job since 2001." He said since that time the U.S. has added 8 million new jobs. Portman said the reason is that Ohio is behind the times because of tax, regulatory and education policies. Portman pointed out that in a recent poll, 54 percent of Ohioans aged 18 to 29 said they planned to leave the state in the next year.

Portman said that things could be turned around, even though it's not easy and there are challenges ahead.

"So I'm giving you some bad news tonight," he said. "But here's the good news - we Republicans believe that you ought to have lower taxes. We believe that you ought to go back to when Ohio was a relatively low-tax state."

Portman said regulation is needed but it has to be smart regulation, and it ought to be science-based.

After leaving as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Portman returned to Ohio, where he said he's "happy to be home." Portman recently started a political action committee called Ohio's Future, which supports candidates and tackles Ohio issues such as energy, the economy and the concerns of business owners and voters.

When asked about being the Republican vice-presidential nominee, Portman said he'll cross that bridge if and when he comes to it, but he doesn't expect it.

"I'm not looking for another Washington job right now," he said. Portman said the most important quality for a vice-president to have is the ability to be president.

Portman said McCain has the experience, the record and the public policy positions to break through the partisan gridlock he had talked about in his speech.

"Some Republicans have been frustrated by his ability to reach across the aisle," he said. "But you know what? I think he's the right candidate for the right year for the right party." Portman said the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain on the issues are stark, and encouraged everyone in attendance to get fully behind McCain.

Columbiana County Republican chair David Johnson, who arranged the event, said he was very pleased with the event. He said he invited Portman to speak because of his reputation.

"I think he's one of the most respected leaders in Ohio and even in the nation, and it has caught my eye that he has been mentioned on numerous occasions as a potential running mate with John McCain," he said. "Recognizing the importance of Ohio to this national election, I thought what a great opportunity to bring focus on the McCain campaign and focus the finance meeting in this county on the importance not only of the presidential race but all the way down to the local level."