News
Portman To Speak To Republican Donors At Romney Retreat
By: M.L. Schultze | Ohio Public Radio • WKSU
Posted on:
Ohio’s U.S. Sen. Rob Portman will be speaking to Republican donors at Mitt Romney’s Utah retreat this weekend in what’s viewed as a trial run for Republican presidential candidates.
Portman says he’s still writing the speech. But he knows it will detail ideas to stimulate the economy – as well as cautions about the need for his party to recognize that no matter how strong that economy is, some people will need help.
"[I’m going to] “talk about ideas and ways to combat poverty, talk about drug addiction in that context, but also the work I’ve done with ex-offenders," Portman said. "I’m going to talk about how we need a plan to grow this economy to put people back to work, and until the Republican party does a better job communicating that and many people understand that we do have serious and workable ideas, it’s difficult for us to win elections in a presidential year.”
Portman was on Mitt Romney’s short list for vice presidential candidate in 2012. But he says nothing about his own presidential aspirations for 2013 should be read into this weekend’s appearance. He says his primary concern is seeing the GOP win control of the Senate this year.