Portman looks ahead to 2010

MINNEAPOLIS - Rob Portman looked beyond this year's election and on to the next two years of Republican politics, nominating rising stars, sizing up the party's recruitment efforts and touching on the gubernatorial race in 2010.

Portman, 52, represented Cincinnati in the U.S. House for 12 years, followed with stints as U.S. trade ambassador and director of the federal Office of Management and Budget. Portman's youth and extensive resume led to rampant speculation that he would be the GOP's next attorney general nominee this year, and more recently was named as a dark-horse vice presidential pick for John McCain.

What's more likely is that he'll run for governor or U.S. Senate, which Portman told PolitickerOH.com in June he's considering, though will not make a decision before Election Day.

Portman wouldn't say whether Gov. Ted Strickland is vulnerable to a Republican challenge two years from now, but indicated that he will be if the status quo continues.

"It's very early," Portman said. "And that goes to the governor's race on our side of the isle as well as Ted Strickland."

It's not too early for Portman to criticize Strickland's record on the economy though.

"But right now I don't that see the governor is taking the steps necessary to be able to move our economy to where we need to be," Portman said.

If Portman ran for governor he'd have to secure the Republican nomination, which could be contested by former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Springfield) and former U.S. Rep. John Kasich (R-Westerville). Portman said both DeWine and Kasich still have futures in politics.

"If they want to serve again they have a lot to give still," Portman said.

When it comes to fresh faces to Ohio politics, Portman said Ohio Republican Party deputy chair Kevin DeWine (and state representative), state House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) and state Auditor Mary Taylor all have bright futures ahead.

"We have a pretty impressive bench," Portman said.

Still, much work lies ahead this year before plans can be laid for 2010. Portman said the single-biggest factor weighing on the GOP's next two years is who wins the presidential race.

"If John McCain wins Ohio it will give everyone a boost, not just in 2008 but also in 2010 and our effort to rebuild our party," Portman said.

McCain's campaign has already begun to bring in new people into the GOP's fold because his delegates were chosen months before the 2008 presidential primaries (and when McCain's chances at the White House looked slim). This means that these delegates are not typical Republicans, but now that McCain has won the nomination, Portman said he believes this will expand the state party's tent.

Still, candidate recruitment isn't a quadrennial matter. Portman said he learned this first hand while trying to recruit candidates to run for the GOP's attorney general nomination. County parties must always scout potential candidates, Portman said.

ALSO on PolitickerOH.com:

• Portman: undecided but could run for governor or Senate
• Don't count out Mike DeWine for gov. run 
• Kasich laying groundwork for gubernatorial bid