Portman says no to presidential race

[NHI]

Sad to see him bow out, but he could run in 2020, assuming Hillary runs and wins. He will definitely be a top choice for VP in '16, though.

He was destined to be a Huntsman-retread this cycle, but his departure clears the way for a Kasich run, which I do think is more likely, but given a race between him and Jeb - Jeb will be the establishment pick.

[dmmidmi]

Portman is the very definition of a Generic Republican. He'd be a perfect VP selection.

[NewYorkExpress]

Yeah, this was probably was his best call. and he should be safe in a General Election, but if someone like Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers or Matt Huffman were to attempt a primary challenge , there could be problems for him.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Yeah, this was probably was his best call. and he should be safe in a General Election, but if someone like Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers or Matt Huffman were to attempt a primary challenge , there could be problems for him.

Jordan could, but won't.  Huffman and Stivers are establishment guys through-and-through.

[TJ in Oregon]

Yeah, this was probably was his best call. and he should be safe in a General Election, but if someone like Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers or Matt Huffman were to attempt a primary challenge , there could be problems for him.

Jordan could, but won't.  Huffman and Stivers are establishment guys through-and-through.

Jordan would make things very interesting if he did. He'd represent quite well a Tea Party alternative to Portman and a very good one at that. Jim Jordan would be one of the hardest Ohio Republicans possible to stop (in the primary of course). But I agree he won't do it, much for the very same reasons he would be a good choice in the first place. He may be a Tea Party guy but he's also not the combative type within the party.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Yeah, this was probably was his best call. and he should be safe in a General Election, but if someone like Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers or Matt Huffman were to attempt a primary challenge , there could be problems for him.

Jordan could, but won't.  Huffman and Stivers are establishment guys through-and-through.

Jordan would make things very interesting if he did. He'd represent quite well a Tea Party alternative to Portman and a very good one at that. Jim Jordan would be one of the hardest Ohio Republicans possible to stop (in the primary of course). But I agree he won't do it, much for the very same reasons he would be a good choice in the first place. He may be a Tea Party guy but he's also not the combative type within the party.

He used to be, but ever since Boehner threatened to have his district obliterated during redistricting, he's settled down.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Given his seat is up in 2016, it's probably a smart move.

[Boston Bread]

Kasich is in the same niche as him and has more weight nationally. It was likely to happen.

[TJ in Oregon]

Yeah, this was probably was his best call. and he should be safe in a General Election, but if someone like Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers or Matt Huffman were to attempt a primary challenge , there could be problems for him.

Jordan could, but won't.  Huffman and Stivers are establishment guys through-and-through.

Jordan would make things very interesting if he did. He'd represent quite well a Tea Party alternative to Portman and a very good one at that. Jim Jordan would be one of the hardest Ohio Republicans possible to stop (in the primary of course). But I agree he won't do it, much for the very same reasons he would be a good choice in the first place. He may be a Tea Party guy but he's also not the combative type within the party.

He used to be, but ever since Boehner threatened to have his district obliterated during redistricting, he's settled down.

Do you have any info on Boehner threatening him with that? I spoke to someone in the Ohio GOP leadership about redistricting back in 2011 who had told me despite the rumors there was never any chance the GOP would carve up Jordan's district--and that if they did Jordan would probably still win the primary against Latta, Turner, Chabot, Austria, Stivers, or Schmidt anyway.

[CountryClassSF]

I don't believe he would even come close to the nomination due to the homosexual & immigration issues.  We need a conservative candidate who will not cause the base to stay home again

[Flake]

I don't believe he would even come close to the nomination due to the homosexual & immigration issues.  We need a conservative candidate who will not cause the base to stay home again

lmao the GOP basically gave up on "homosexual issues" a few months ago.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Yeah, this was probably was his best call. and he should be safe in a General Election, but if someone like Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers or Matt Huffman were to attempt a primary challenge , there could be problems for him.

Jordan could, but won't.  Huffman and Stivers are establishment guys through-and-through.

Jordan would make things very interesting if he did. He'd represent quite well a Tea Party alternative to Portman and a very good one at that. Jim Jordan would be one of the hardest Ohio Republicans possible to stop (in the primary of course). But I agree he won't do it, much for the very same reasons he would be a good choice in the first place. He may be a Tea Party guy but he's also not the combative type within the party.

He used to be, but ever since Boehner threatened to have his district obliterated during redistricting, he's settled down.

Do you have any info on Boehner threatening him with that? I spoke to someone in the Ohio GOP leadership about redistricting back in 2011 who had told me despite the rumors there was never any chance the GOP would carve up Jordan's district--and that if they did Jordan would probably still win the primary against Latta, Turner, Chabot, Austria, Stivers, or Schmidt anyway.

I heard it from a pretty reliable source.  But you could be right (or it may have been a successful bluff on Boehner's part.  In any event, it's a moot point now.