. >> experience is something portman has as well.e block in washington from the lawyer in the white house council office and office of legislative affairs to congressman from cincinnati, to u.s. trade representative. then the budget director under president bush. many analysts see portman as the safest of safe picks for romney. >> he can govern. he gets along well with alum romney. he is from ohio. it could mean a lot in a close general election. he is a budget walk. romney is a budget walk. you have compatibility there. romney is well versed on economic issues and somebody that the press knows and vetted. you don't get the shock and surprise effect. >> bret: portman was seen as a budget hawk in congress. and in the bush administration. he earned nicknames from president bush. and some of them were revealed as portman step down from the office of management and budget. >> although, my title was director of o&b, other titles came my way. dr. no. tight wad. budget hawk. bennpenny pincher and some not suitable for television audience. >

we are focusing on ohio junior senator rob portman. >> experience is something portman has as well.e has been around the block in washington over in the white house council's office and office of legislative affairs to congressman from cincinnati to u.s. trade representative and budget director under president george w. bush. he was seen as a budget hawk in congress and the bush administration. he earned nicknames from president bush and some of them were revealed as portman stepped down from the office of management and budget. >>> although my title was director other titles sometimes came my way. dr. no. budget hawk, penny pincher, and some not suitable for television audiences. >>> critics in and out of the republican party aren't laughing. charging that the push abush administration is definitely not a good example of fiscal restrai restraint. >> this is a bush administration that also ballooned the national debt and some see that as a negative thing to be a part of the bush administration and to bring up the bush years in the current environment. what do you say to that? >> i w

is portman the guy?w we have heard a lot of pundits really heat up to him in the last few days. >> i think if romney had any courage he would pick like kim kardashian. >> yes. >> senator portman does make mitt romney -- there's no threat of sarah palin anymore and the former congressman for 20 years now he is in the senate. he had federal experience that mitt romney doesn't. so there are some matching points there. but adds nothing to the ticket besides another white guy. >> as charismatic as chris lavoie -- chrischristie. >> he would add some excitement to the ticket. but not to the sarah palin degree. i think the fact that he is islamphobic is something romney sees -- >> he is talking about whackos and crazies. some of these evangelicals really -- they hate gays the most and muslims second. >> i guess the point would be that romney doesn't have -- these are all real questions about christy. he doesn't have any real choices. if i were mitt romney the last thing i would do is pick anything in the bush ad

portman makes sense if you do it by the numbers.n party understands if they try to go for a demographic pick, that person has to actually be table to deliver a demographic. and there isn't really someone who comes to mind who could do that. marco rubio, who everyone in the media loves to talk about would not deliver hispanics. he's against the dream act. martinez has had the same issue. she's not overwhelmingly popular with hispanics because she's been tough on immigration reform. she has sort of changed that now. and then if you speck one who was hispanic and pro immigration refornl, then the base wouldn't like them. it's tricky to be too cute. they're saying, let's go conventional. >> and on the do no harm. there's usually with everybody you can think of there's some negative. with portman you certainly have, ari, the road right back into the discussion of the bush administration deficits because he was there helping build those deficits, and build that debt. >> yeah, he's already seeking to build some distance now between his ten

with portman you certainly have, ari, the road right back into the discussion of the bush administration deficits because he was there helping build those deficits, and build that debt. >> yeah, he's already seeking to build some distance now between his tenure with george w. bush administration and what he would do in the future. i was at a luncheon that they did with him and reporters here in new york on monday, and he very directly on the record criticized george w. bush. said he should have done more. vetoed, should have rang in

and i think governor portman, i'm with john. caing my vote with him. >> michael gerson making the case for chris christie, karen finney? >> i don't see it. he doesn't give romney what he needs. he is a graph-prone person himself. >> he's an angry angry man. >> i actually agree. >> michael, do you agree with john? >> the other thing about chris christie, no presidential candidate in either party, you never pick someone who is going to upstage you. >> that's right. >> who raises the question of that guy should be at the top of the ticket. that didn't happen to john mccain. >> it's like picking the rnc chairman. you never want one who's going to say exactly what's on his mind. >> what else? let it out. >> the fact of the matter is i think you're right. portman is my number one, jindal is my number two. at that point it really doesn't matter. the reality for someone like romney is he wants a package team that continues the narrative that they're going to be putting in place. he does not want to the go into tampa and come out with ev

romney/portman still trails obama by 5, 49-44. that important.e back to "hardball." file this under the "you got to be kidding me" column. you can give credit to mitt romney for the auto industry coming back to life, at least according to mitt romney. he said the new market is likely the resurgence of gm and chrysler. they hope the private sector would come to the rescue after the bankruptcy. both of you, let's go to the videotape, in an interview with cleveland affiliate, mitt romney said he will quote, take a lot of credit for the auto industry coming back. listen to his reasoning. >> well, my own view, by the way, was that auto companies needed to go through bankruptcy before the government help. thankfully, that's what the president finally did. he firmly took them through bankruptcy. that was the course i argued for from the very beginning. was the uaw and the president who delayed the idea of bankruptcy. i pushed the idea of a managed bankruptcy, and finally when that was done and help was given, the companies got back on their feet. so i'l

rob portman is boring. >> no, he can't do that. >> i like rob portman. >> sean: i like rob portman. >utious is not a strategy. everybody's saying, you have to be cautious. no. you don't have to be really -- [overlapping dialogue] >> i think -- >> he needs somebody to help with blue collar people. i can give you a half dozen people -- you think trump would -- >> no, he would not be number 2. >> i will tell thu, i will tell thu, sean, can you imagine him against joe biden? can you imagine -- he gets under obama's skin. what do you want a vice-presidential candidate to do? you want him to take on the vice-president. >> he wouldn't be number 2. he's donald trump. >> if you are big enough to take someone that big, you're all right. >> sean: i want his tie collection. you agree rubio? >> i think he needs to be not too cautious. >> sean: how about jeb bush? >> no. >> i like jeb bush -- >> not bush. he would be on his way to the white house. >> he blames his brother. now he can blame jeb. but rubio could reach out to blue collar workers and across party lines, to latinos and blacks as well. >

so, that is, that's a high compliment for somebody like rob portman, a great example.e what he is, is somebody experience inside and serving on office of management and budget under president bush. and he knows how washington works. and romney has never been here. >> and the guys are competent. have great resume's, great backgrounds, but suppose then after the pick he starts getting behind? then has he made a mistake? >> well, certainly, we'd say he did. but the truth is, you want to pick somebody who is noncontroversial, and that's why, you know, daniels might have a little trouble with what he's previously said about a news for a truce on social issues and might rankle some of the republican base and there's that possibility, but you have to like portman, he has pretty good conservative credentials and may not be that exciting, but wouldn't tick everybody off. >> we'll pick another category, if you're tied you say this is where you want someone to bring a zing into it. and help out. who do you have on the list? >> you've got to like marco rubio not just because he's

ohio senator rob portman, just how much excitement would a romney portman match-up bring to the tablejust ask steven colbert. >> nothing fires up the base like boring. just look at these two together. it's like the bland leading the bland. although, i got say, now that i see them side by side, i wonder if portman might have too much charisma. maybe romney should go with something blander like a manequin or rice cake or a heel of white bread. no, they're all to fascinating. >> last night portman himself weighed in on that bland leading the bland comparison. >> my kids love that. i'd like to think i'm a serious legislator and try to get things done. that's my goal in life is to get things done. and it's not about sizzle for me. >> so 2012 is the anti-sizzle election? >> i don't think mitt romney has a sizzle. don't get me wrong. i think he is a dynamic guy. >> well, when is the last time i heard the words mitt romney and sizzle in the same sentence? wow. >>> up next, republicans have been the daddy party on national security, if you will. old school way of looking at things. the last 60

romney/portman still trails obama by 5, 49-44. that important. be right back. [ donovan ] i hit a wall. and i thought "i can't do this, it's just too hard." then there was a moment. when i decided to find a way to keep going. go for olympic gold and go to college too. [ male announcer ] every day we help students earn their bachelor's or master's degree for tomorrow's careers. this is your moment. let nothing stand in your way. devry university, proud to support the education of our u.s. olympic team. >>> welcome back to "hardball." file this under the "you got to be kidding me" column. you can give credit to mitt romney for the auto industry coming back to life, at least according to mitt romney. he said the new market is likely the resurgence of gm and chrysler. they hope the private sector would come to the rescue after the bankruptcy. both of you, let's go to the videotape, in an interview with cleveland affiliate, mitt romney said he will quote, take a lot of credit for the auto industry coming back. listen to his reasoning. >> well, my own

romney/portman still trails obama by 5, 49-44. that important. be right back. [ donovan ] i hit a wall. and i thought "i can't do this, it's just too hard." then there was a moment. when i decided to find a way to keep going. go for olympic gold and go to college too. [ male announcer ] every day we help students earn their bachelor's or master's degree for tomorrow's careers. this is your moment. let nothing stand in your way. devry university, proud to support the education of our u.s. olympic team. let's see what you got. rv -- covered. why would you pay for a hotel? i never do. motorcycles -- check. atv. i ride those. do you? no. boat. house. hello, dear. hello. hello. oh! check it -- [ loud r&b on car radio ] i'm going on break! the more you bundle, the more you save. now, that's progressive. it's showtime for savings. excuse me, sir, how much are you charging for your popcorn? $4.00. $4.00. i'm just going to let the people have a choice. $1.00 for popcorn. come and get it. guess we'll make it two. you got it. progressive showed me my option

. >> what about rob portman? >> rob portman, that's like a mayonnaise finally meets tapioca.xciting duo than rob portman and mitt romney? it's just sort of two boring white guys out there. so his advantage, of course, being that he's from ohio, and ohio is going to be a crucial state as it usually is. but, you know, it would certainly be a safe pick. i'm not sure it's going to do him much good except in ohio. >> all things being fair, though, would someone like that make mitt romney look more charismatic? because if you do pick someone like say a governor chris christie who owns the room and is charismatic and shoots from the hip, so to speak, does that make mitt romney look more charismatic, more star-like, when you do put somebody next to him who is going to do that? kind of blanld it out? >> i don't know that you can put anybody next to mitt romney that makes mitt romney look charismatic, but you're absolutely right about chris christie. he will own the room if he's in there with mitt romney. but, again, you know, i don't know that -- portman may end up being the guy, but

special series, running with romney, bret baier sitting down with a key swing state senator, rob portman. >> john: he has entire series of that. >> heather: possible showdown in china and controversy over chinese activist threatening the two countries. did the obama administration mess this up? our power panel weighs? >> gregg: new violence in syria leading a cease-fire in tatters, raising questions what can be done to stop the bloodshed. david miller will weigh in. a party? [ music plays, record skips ] hi, i'm new ensure clear. clear, huh? my nutritional standards are high. i'm not juice or fancy water, i'm different. i've got nine grams of protein. twist my lid. that's three times more than me! twenty-one vitamins and minerals and zero fat! hmmm. you'll bring a lot to the party. [ all ] yay! [ female announcer ] new ensure clear. nine grams protein. zero fat. twenty-one vitamins and minerals. in blueberry/pomegranate and peach. refreshing nutrition in charge! of single mile credirds. battle speech right? may i? [ horse neighs ] or too long, people have settled for single miles. with t

at the top of senator rob portman, how much excitement would this match up bring to the table?>> nothing fires up the base like boring. this is like the bland leading the bland. although, i have to say now that i see them side to side, i wonder if portman may have too much charisma. maybe he should use a rice cake or a heel of white bred -- no, they're all to fascinating. last night portman weighed in on that. >> i would like to think i'm a serious legislature trying to get things done, that's my goal in life to get things done, and it's not about sizzle for me. >> so 2012 is the anti-sizzle election. >> i think romney has sizzle. >> when was the last time you heard mitt romney and sizzle in the same sentence. the last 60 years, and that may explain why so many that the don't want to give president obama his victory lap on bin laden. that's ahead. >>> hey there, here is what's happening, former nfl star junior seau is dead in an apparent suicide. he was 43 years old. now back to "hardball." >>> for the past week, republicans have bashed president obama more making political hay

if you want a guy who helps you in the industrial midwest, portman has the advantage. >> does it hurt that he was in the bush administration? >> well, he is more complicated that he was a trade representative, but on the other hand, portman is really smart, so i suspect that he can handle being the trade representative. >> would you get with a colorful guy like rubio or governor kr christie? >> i would look at rubio seriously and they will, but also a longer shot like sus suz martinez from new mexico. >> and what about rubio? >> well, he is a unique figure in his own right. >> you think he is a being considered in the running? >> well, i believe so, because delivering florida is a huge state. >> if you had torder it right now, who are the best picks for him, if you were picking? >> oh, i think that almost anybody that you mentioned and look at at a mitch daniels and three or four other people, and they have to decide a couple of things. first of all the person has to be philosophical and capable of being president, and secondly, philosophically compatible which means a broadly conserv

on the other hand, portman's really smart. suspect he can handle being the trade representative. >> would you you go with a colorful guy like christie or rubio? >> i would look at rubio seriously. i think they will. i would look at a longer shot, suzanne that m suzanna martinez, the governor of new mexico. >> so you're thinking he's in the running, rubbio? >> yes. at this stage i think he is. you have a question, first of all, delivering florida is a huge state. >> sure. if you had to order it right now, who do you think are the best picks for him if you were picking? >> almost anybody you just mentioned. i would look at mitch daniels and three or four other people. they have to decide a couple things. first of all, the person has to be philosophically -- capable of being president. sec, they have to be philosophically compatible which means a broadly conservative person. >> thune. >> i think john thune is extraordinarily attractive. >> i think so, too. >> articulate. you know. >> last question, animals. you and i in a differe

we have two amendments, 2146 by senator portman and 2145 by senator portman, that need to be called upsenators to please come over and call up their amendments so we can debate these and move ahead to expeditiously voting on those amendments and final passage of the bill. i see the republican leader is on the floor. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the republican leader is recognized. mr. mcconnell: is there an amendment agreement on the bill, are we? the presiding officer: the leader is correct. mr. mcconnell: then i'd like to proceed under my leader time. the presiding officer: the senator has that right. mr. mcconnell: mr. president, today we will once again attempt to prevent student loan interest rates from going up. this problem could have been solved literally weeks ago, but our friends on the other side were not interested in solving the problem. they wanted to scapegoa a scapee than a solution. so this afternoon we'll vote on two different waifs addressing the issue. the democratic plan designed to fail. in order to cover the costs of the temporary rate freeze that bo

you had mentioned i think maybe ron portman but you also mention people like daniels.e up on the screen. if this is if you are ahead. this isn't a compliment the way you put it. >> well if you think about it it's a tremendous compliment because what the people are are tested, veted. they are known to party insiders. known as people who are going to be able to execute the job well and these are non-controversial people. so that is that is a high compliment for somebody like rob portman and he's a great example because what he is is somebody with experience inside. presidential administration having served in the office of management and budget with bush and knows how washington works and that's something romney lacks not working here. >> is there any disadvantage. let's say romney ahead. picks one of the guys and they are all competent. the thing is you have pointed out i think rightly so confident. great resume and background. but suppose then after the pick he starts getting behind. then does he make a mistake. >> certainly we would say he did. but the truth is you wa

, rob portman, a friend of mine who worked in the bush whitehouse, and -- yeah. this is a problem. >> why? >> the leading conservative in america, sean hannity, thinks his name is bob, not rob. it's rob portman, not bob. i know you did that for my benefit so i could laugh. well, when he left, and he started running, everybody sort of gave him like he won't be able to do it. he raised more money and won by a significant margin in ohio. so it's not necessarily a bad choice. but, look, what's today? >> well, wait a minute. is it dull, meaning this is a media age -- >> well, it's not like choosing stuart to run although that wouldn't work. he wasn't born here. let me try another one. i read somewhere it would be like the bland leading the land. >> ouch. we have our headline tonight. >> this is a media age, you need somebody dynamic. >> they don't have to be dynamic. they can be effective and then you can be dynamic. >> don't argue with him when he's right, okay? don't argue with him when he's right and he's right, he's right, he's right. >> you can always talk britis

thing i would like our panelists to do, i propose that we go down the line, starting with senator portman here is to test the premise of this panel which as i take it is that substantively it might be challenging but not really that difficult to solve the mathematics equation of the deficit that people could sit down with a calculator and a legal pad and get it done. but that the dimension of this is the political one. and obviously this does take place in the context of a euro failure in 2011. there was a hope that as happened occasionally in the past in washington you get mature reasonable people in a room, throw the reporters out, they don't come back until you got it solved as was done in 1997 with president clinton and then speaker gingrich, was done in 1990 with republicans and the first president bush, in 1983 with social security. but if you can replicate that, get reasonable people 18 room away from the glare of the lights that there would be a solution to this. 2011 that proved not to be true. simpson-bowles didn't do anything to tackle the structural deficit. good press, no sub

so ron portman has a resume and a portfolio much deeper than foreign policy.y, he has a good, fiscal conservative and he knows how to balance budgets and understands the world of trade, and both skill sets and being able to work the hill, both sides, both chambers are very important. >> think ron portman would be a very safe running mate for mitt romney if he decides to pick portman, he's on the short list, and there are many others. >> he refuses to say, and he's submitted the income tax returns and he's not discussing that and we'll watch to see what happens. >> he seems to be the number one pick, not just from mary, but for others. >> a lot of viewers probably never heard of ron portman, but i suspect they will pretty soon. >> everyone has heard of the first lady of the united states and now ann romney has a new ad and it's a poignant ad and it talks about ann romney and her illness with m.s. >> when i was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, both of us dissolved in tears. >> that was my toughest time in my life was standing there with ann as we hugged each o

would it help if rob portman were on the ticket with mitt romney.uld it help him in a close race in ohio? >> i think it may help marginally, but i don't think it would guarantee that mr. romney would carry ohio. >> right. >> rob portman i described as a very conservative guy with wonderfully good manners, but i don't think he has the kind of standing throughout ohio that would guarantee that he would carry the day for mitt romney. >> enough standing anyway to make him the sitting senator, but we'll get back to that. i want to show some virginia polls here for you, congressman. if the election were held today, president obama, 51%. mitt romney, 44%. virginia up until the last presidential election was a conservative place. what's happened? >> well, a couple things. first of all, president obama skewed the turnout level by just bringing african-american voters out in drives driving it from 14% of the electorate to 18%, 19% and the college town turnout across virginia, even radford and harrisonburg, both came out droves for president obama. >> so it go