US Senate Race: Rob Portman

Rob Portman is a Cincinnati native running for the US Senate on the GOP ticket.  Portman is a veteran of the Federal government having served as Representative for the 2nd Congressional District from 1993-2005.  He then spent a year as Trade Representative for the Bush Administration, and another year as the Administration's Director of the Office of Budget and Management.

Growing up, Portman's father started Portman Equipment as a small forklift dealer, and grew it to considerable size.  Portman worked for the company, and later represented them as part of his law practice.  You can read more about the life and times of Rob Portman on his website.

As for issues he's campaigning on, Portman has them broken down into 13 points.

1. Jobs for Ohio: Portman has laid out a plan based on six key elements to improve the recovery of the Ohio economy.  This stretches from increasing Federal aid for job programs to helping provide a more hospitable environment for small businessness.  I didn't see anything new and exciting, just a repeat of what everyone is saying about the Ohio job market.
2. Energy: The energy plan laid out is almost standard Republican boiler plate: "Cap and trade will destroy the economy," "We need to expand on petroleum and natural gas in Ohio," "Nuclear power is clean energy."  His stance is to not increase regulation to choke fossil fuel power, but to use it in the short term while developing alternatives.
3. Budget: There's a statement about the importance of a balanced Federal budget to improve the nation's long term fiscal health.
4. Taxes: This page reads a list of achievements on the issue of tax reform.  As you would expect from a Republican candidate, the goal is lower taxes, simpler tax code, and fiscal responsibility.
5. Healthcare: I find two points on this page: Portman believes health care is broken and needs to be fixed (just like all of us), and he feels the worst thing we could have done about it was pass the recent reform bill.
6. Defense: Three main points: Protecting the benefits for those who serve our country, maintaining a strong defense program, and keeping Wright Patterson Airforce Base near Dayton, OH functional.
7. Veterans: This page reads a list of accomplishments in support of veterans, from votes in Congress to budget decisions with the OMB.
8. Pro-Life Record: Portman lists his Right to Life score cards, 100% from 1997-2005.
9. 2nd Ammendment Rights: The NRA approves of Portman, who has voted against gun regulation regularly.
10. Community: A list of efforts to improve community life by eliminating the effects of illegal drugs.  Bills included at the Drug Demand Reduction Act, the Second Chance Act, the Drug Free Workplace Act, and several others.  He also founded the Coalition for a Drug Free Greater Cincinnati.
11. A Strong and Independent Israel: That says it all.  Portman also lists his legislative record in regards to Israel, and touches on his dedication to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
12. Immigration: Portman appears to be a strong enforcement advocate.  He mentions in some depth how he'd like to see the rules tightened and enforced, from the border to the hiring line.  He also states his support of legal immigration.
13. Agriculture: A declaration of support for American farmers, including a list of farm-friendly bills he's voted for.  He's in favor of less regulation, more protection for farmers and their markets.

I encourage you to check out his voting record from Congress.  That's all I have for now (I think that's more than enough, don't you?).  Tune in next time for another candidate for the junior Senate seat in Ohio!