February 26, 2008
Posted: 10:00 AM ET
Portman is often mentioned as a potential V.P. pick.
Portman is often mentioned as a potential V.P. pick.

(CNN) — Robert Portman, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, formally endorsed John McCain's White House bid Tuesday, hailing the Arizona senator as a "proven leader with a track record of breaking through partisan gridlock in Washington."

"He has been an effective champion for fiscal responsibility and pro-growth economic policies. No one is a more committed advocate for our men and women in uniform, and no one understands better the threats America faces," Portman, a former congressman from Ohio, said in a statement released by the campaign.

Portman is often mentioned as a potential pick for vice president given his fiscally conservative credentials and ties to Ohio — a crucial swing state in the general election.

McCain's campaign also announced the backing Tuesday of six former chairmen of the Republican National Committee.

Related: Potential V.P. picks stay mum

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: John McCain


GO Hillary!   February 26th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Govenor Ed Rendell of PA supports Hillary!
bring it home Hillary! PA is ready to vote.

Brad   February 26th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

The repugs have each-other's backs. I'm just shocked!

California Independent   February 26th, 2008 2:17 pm ET

This is a good endorsement.

Oh Good Grief…. another chant from an Obama follower… Yes, we are America… I'm a little nauseous.

I prefer "Yes We Con"

Michael   February 26th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

WHO?

Uncle Sam   February 26th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Mr. Portman is correct about John McCain's proven record of "crossing the aisle" to work with Democrats on legislation beneficial for our country. There is no evidence that Senator Obama has ever worked with Republicans in a similar way.

Jeremy   February 26th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

"Robert Portman, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, formally endorsed John McCain's White House bid Tuesday"

Portman is not the OMB Director — Jim Nussle is. Portman resigned for personal reasons in June 07.

chris   February 26th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

obama idiot and bills 3rd term voters please do your research and stop making it look like we have a poorly educated demecratic party or maybe all that weed is finally taking effect form the first hippie movement till now

Brad   February 26th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

Who?

Nina   February 26th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

If Obama is nominated, I will vote for John McCain.

Nina

Reecie   February 26th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

A Republican endorsing the Republican candidate after the race has pretty much been decided…where is the news? If these people had genuine conviction about McCain's run, they would've stepped up months ago.

Go Obama   February 26th, 2008 1:08 pm ET

Mccain might as well choose a lobbyist as a running mate.

Mariann Pepitone   February 26th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

McCain will win the presidency if Hillary is does not win the nomination by her supporters turning to McCain and that is what I am hoping for to block Obama from winning. All the voters that voted for Hillary in the major states should turn republican and vote for McCain to give him a landside victory over Obama. Let him go back to the senate. That's where he belongs.

joe m   February 26th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

oh this portman! i thought it was natalie! haha. sounds like a good choice if he is on the short list for VP. his youth and economic background would compliment mccains foreign policy experience. will be interesting to see where this leads.

MKO   February 26th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

I'm with you LaRaza!!!!!! Ugggghhhh..this good ole boy network in Cincinnati makes me sick. Stuck in their way Republicans means "No change" for America.
OBAMA 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Janice M. Magona   February 26th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

Our children and future generations must have a legacy of truth, facts and hardwork, so that their standing it the world community, as future leaders has a chance to come to fruitiion. I deeply regret that
Mr. Portman has chosen political expediency over pragmatism. Stand
up for and work on behalf of America, Mr. Portman and America's people.

Jeff   February 26th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

Let's hope McCain taps him for VP – we really don't want Rob coming back to southwestern Ohio.

La Raza   February 26th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

Has anyone seen and heard a McCain rally or speech? Talk about dull with the "my friends", bad jokes (lawyer/catfish), repetitive lingo, his mother, Reagan's veto pen, surge working (eg. 12k marathon and New years eve celebration), foot soldier in the Reagan revolution,….blah blah blah. I honestly believe there is an applause meter on stage. Oh yeah his trophy, Cindy McCain aka Stepford wife.

Bob Beckner   February 26th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Seeing all of these McCain "knocks", shows what intelligence we have here in oue homeland..I'll admit one thing I wish I could walk in McCains shoe's. Go McCain!

MC 08   February 26th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

Since the media is pushing Obama in I'll start throwing my support this way. McCain is a great man with a lot of integrity – he talks the talk and walks the walk and has my vote over Obama any day.

Mariann Pepitone   February 26th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

Let me go on record to say if Hillary does not win the nomination, I hope that all her supporters vote for McCain to spite Obama making McCain win a landside. Hillary should have a discussion with her supporters regarding this and her campaign manager Williams. I myself am voting McCain is Hillary doesn't win the nomination. I am not supporting a candidate whose father was not a citizen of this country even though I am a democrat. I vote for candidates whose parents were citizens of this country. What is wrong with America today. Are we not seeing the light? I also loved that picture. We need more of them published. Read the NY Times for his bio.

Tim, Cincinnati, OH   February 26th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Rob Portman is a solid guy. He was an excellent congressman for Southern Ohio and he would be an awesome VP choice for John McCain.

McCain-Portman 2008!!

Alan   February 26th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

The country isn't looking to get past "gridlock" in Washington. The country is looking to change direction from 7+ years of incompetent leadership from the Bush administration, which was supported for 6 of those years by the Republican dominated Congress (and ineffectively combated since '06 by the Congress nominally controlled by the Democrats.) What gridlock? The Administration has gotten just about everything it wanted, with few exceptions. The overwhelming majority of Americans think Bush and the Republicans have done a terrible job. That's the story. Where is the "gridlock" talking point coming from, and why is the press so often repeating it without challenge?

Chris, Jacksonville   February 26th, 2008 12:18 pm ET

Who cares what the director of the office of Budget and Management thinks?

The very notion of any "management" or "budgeting" over the past 8 years is a sad joke. Portman is one of the LAST people we should be looking to for an endorsement.

"W", his incompetent staff and his band of idiots in congress have been the most irresponsible and wasteful public officials in history.

Raise your standards, America!

Lamps   February 26th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

Well said, Portman. Go McCain!

John Langdon   February 26th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

CNN YOU HAVE GOTTEN THIS WRONG. ROB_PORTMAN IS NOT
THE BUDGET DIRECTOR. IN JULY 2007, HE WAS REPLACED BY
JIM NUSSLE WHO WAS GUILIANI'S MAN IN OHIO. PORTMAN IS ON
A LAW TEAM IN OHIO.

Please, get it right———you people must be better than that.

Mike   February 26th, 2008 12:01 pm ET

I love this endorsement!

(And I love that most of you think your posts are going to change anyone's mind)

Wayne, Greenville TX   February 26th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

Great – a Bush Misadministration insider is on McCain's short list for running mate.

Yet another reason to vote Democratic this year…..

La Raza   February 26th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Why would anyone back McCain?

Richard Marks   February 26th, 2008 11:54 am ET

No w wonder America is so far in the hole….Portman a manwith
such poor judgement as to be a Mc Cain man runs the Budget
office….and Mc Cain never has had a real job either.

gb   February 26th, 2008 11:48 am ET

i dont see mccain winning unless clinton wins the democratic nomination. other wise mccain is not going to win. i still cant beleive he said he will continue with the bush tax cuts. HELLO taxes are needed for the economy. where elese are u going to get the money

Bubba   February 26th, 2008 11:44 am ET

Get endorsed by NATALIE Portman and I'll be interested.

Steve, NY   February 26th, 2008 11:42 am ET

who?

joli   February 26th, 2008 11:35 am ET

Portman is well liked among reps…very well liked… Im smelling VP for McCain. I love how Obama fans are all about the "possibility" of reaching over the isle. LOL Yeah McCain is an example of continuously reaching over the isle. Come November your gonna have to be a little more well versed to move from "fan" to "supporter" status.

McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, Gang of 14, voting against Bush tax cuts 2x.

NickNas   February 26th, 2008 11:26 am ET

Poor guy! Linking yourself to a sinking rock has NEVER looked good on anyones resume.

AMERICA IS WATCHING!   February 26th, 2008 11:21 am ET

FAIR COVERAGE FOR ALL CANIDATES. BOTH OVER THE AIR AND ONLINE!

bryce baker, Portland, OR   February 26th, 2008 11:19 am ET

I was hoping this was for Natalie, not Robert, what a let down

changing times   February 26th, 2008 11:18 am ET

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget? Well why hasn't he helped Bush learn how to manage this budget deficit he's blown to you know what.

AJ, IL   February 26th, 2008 11:18 am ET

Poor Portman, he wanted to endorse Romney but got stuck with McCain. Sorry Portman, if you idea of fiscal responsibility is to take a government that operated on a surplus in 2000 and currently operates with a huge deficit at the same time increase national debt by $4 trillion over 7 years, backing McCain won't help his admission of not understanding the economy.

Obama in 08!

jean hedgewards, NC   February 26th, 2008 11:16 am ET

interesting

Hillary supporter MA   February 26th, 2008 11:16 am ET

You have my vote senator McCain. It seems my girl is loosing. Which leaves you as the best qualified candidate. From your speech in Virginia, I am sure that you will put obama is his place with his empty delusional speeches!!! Even his followers like the state congressman from Texas have no clue what he has accomplished so farNO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR COUNTRY!!

MCCAIN 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack K.   February 26th, 2008 11:16 am ET

Portman is a fiscal conservative with special expertise in international trade negotiations. He has an exemplary record of success as a congressman, U.S. Trade Representative, and Director, OMB.

He doesn't just talk the talk…he walks the walk.

anon   February 26th, 2008 11:16 am ET

"He has been an effective champion for fiscal responsibility and pro-growth economic policies. No one is a more committed advocate for our men and women in uniform, and no one understands better the threats America faces,"

This can ONLY be said of John McCain: the clear choice for President!

TheLeftNut   February 26th, 2008 11:12 am ET

Unimpressive.

Jane, Maryland   February 26th, 2008 11:11 am ET

This, from the director in charge of budget who cannot balance the budget? Its' like a blind man leading another blind man.
If MclooseMouth wins, we are in even worse trouble!!!!!1

Mary C   February 26th, 2008 11:09 am ET

Yea!
An encouraging word just as the onslaught of attacks from the Horrible Hillary Camp are being fired. I also want to say that I'm so happy to have a candidate to be excited about supporting. Barack Obama is a good man and he will be a positive and effective President. I must also mention that Hillary is running one of the saddest, most negative and bitter campaigns. I use to almost feel sorry for her, but not now. She just buried all future hopes of being electable in the future. It is her responsibility to control her campaign- she's just runs off at the mouth without any thought of the long term consequences. OBAMA 08

Tony in Chicago   February 26th, 2008 11:03 am ET

He was the director of Office Management and Budgets during this Bush presidency… hummm… I am not sure that is something you want on the old resume…

james   February 26th, 2008 11:03 am ET

Took a lot of courage to make that endorsement. Seriously though why do endorsement for McCain even matter right now he's all but won the repub nomination of course republicans will endorse him.

Tom, Iowa   February 26th, 2008 11:02 am ET

That's right! Get in line lemmings! You don't have a choice this year!

James   February 26th, 2008 11:02 am ET

Sen John Edwards and Former Vice President Al Gore will Endorse Obama

Charlotte   February 26th, 2008 10:58 am ET

Obama was planning to run for President without serving a day in the Senate. Anyone who doesen't believe that is naive. He is not qualified to be President. It is so sad to see so many young people led astray. Most of them are still in the rally, rah rah mentality. Team spirit is nice in college. In the real world you learn there is more to life then the next game. Lets just hope they are off to the next game by November. Why do you think the republicans are saying Obama would be harder to beat then Hillary? Think about it. They want Obama as much as you do…..

Shannon Shiflett   February 26th, 2008 10:57 am ET

the director of the budget office endorses a candidate who has said he does not understand the economy? typical republicans.

Keith, GA   February 26th, 2008 10:52 am ET

?? "proven leader with a track record of breaking through partisan gridlock in Washington" – what piece of legislation involves McCain bringing someone over to his side of the aisle? Is it still considered breaking through partisan gridlock if you only go over to the other side as part of a compromise?

John   February 26th, 2008 10:50 am ET

Mccain is going to lose so it just doesn't matter that much. Obama and edwards will roll over Mcnuggett and still have time for fries. Obama/Edwards an unstopable force. Yes we are America. Yes we are!!!!

slimgreen   February 26th, 2008 10:44 am ET

This morning’s line up from the "greatest team in politics";
1) An endorsement for Obama
2) An endorsement for McCain
3) The Clintons complaining about biased coverage

Surely you joust..

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   February 26th, 2008 10:40 am ET

Now that's an endorsement!
There is no better man to understand how upside down government spending is!

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