Ohio Congressman Rob Portman

[WCGreen]

could be the GOP nominee in 2008....

Ohio Gov Bob Taft just might be taking a post with the Bush Administration soon, according to a high level GOP insider I know. If this happens, look for Portman to be named the new Gov....

Why, because the traditional powers that be in the Ohio GOP, ie the money men, are not at all enthralled with the cast of characters who are now running for the soon to be vacated, because of term limits, spot....

They don't like Blackwell for the obvious reason and they are torn between Montgomery and Petro, both more moderate, comparatively speaking, candidates.

They feel a divisive primary could wound the party so deeply that it would cost the GOP the seat in the general....

Enter Rob Portman....

First they would have to clear the way at Lt. Gov, no problem there, and then appoint Rob Portman to the job...

He would be off and running and would seriously derail the campaigns of Montgomery and Petro, both who would see their money sources dry up faster than a puddle in the middle of the desert....

Portman beats Blackwell and then goes on to run for pres in 2008 with, I understand, the blessing of Rove and company.....

Just a few thoughts from a deep insider from the Ohio GOP confirming a PD story right before the election.

[ISUGRADIA]

1. How does Portman become governor? the mechanics of it

If the Gov resigns, the Lt. Gov becomes governor. Then he will resign? The succession is normally codified through other state offices or the legislature after that. No one can appoint a governor, he'd have to fall in the line of succession. Please clear this up for me...I don't know Ohio law well.

[shirlden]

2. Why Portman??????

He is hardly a GOP star in Ohio.
:kick:

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. IMCPO This is a planted story to detract from the BFEE/KKKRove support

of Blackwell. They don't like Blackwell? Hahahahaha! Funny. He stole the damn election for them. He will be Governor. Otherwise he could sing. Of course this is just MCPO. :hi:

[salin]

4. for those not in the know... who is Portman?

from which end of the GOP spectrum does he hail?

[GOPBasher]

5. I wish they'd nominate Tom Delay.

I would love to see Tom Delay run. Wouldn't that be funny? He'd win maybe 100 eV's (in a fair election).

[WCGreen]

6. Sorry it took so long to get back

work and all...

My understanding is that she will get appointed to another position, take a cabinet post. Then they appoint Portman who then is in line for succession.

Blackwell will get his reward but it won't be gov. The people who live in the state, the money people that fund the GOP, do not want to see a divisive primary so they will try and stop Petro and Montgomery from running. They don't want Blackwell either since they don't think he can win statewide.

My source is an officeholder with no further ambitions. He is a straight shooter who favors Petro but will support Portman if this scenario plays out.

Portmans talks a good talk but was described to me as Bush Lite.....

Amiable but not quite as ideological. They believe he would be a welcome relief after the ideological warfare has been waged by Bush and co......