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. >

, 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

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

. >> 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

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

>> i think rob portman is not at the same level, or not yet. i think the big story is not that they did this, it's if the romney campaign has not responded, how many jobs will he say he created. he addressed them along the way, but not for a general election audience. he will have to address that in a more broad and compelling well. >> these guys, let me personalize this. these guys are sharp business school guys. they run these companies, they go in and make money, and they do it by cost cutting, firing people, they clean up out of middle management, that company may make it afterwards. they made a profit when they flipped it, right? they're not the kind of middle aged people that they like the looks of. >> this is very risky territory for romney for those alone. he went in to make profits and job loss. what he is counting on is amnesia. that people will look at what's happening with the economy now and not associate it with wall street wheelers and dealers that caused the sub prime crisis. >> is this a direct transfer of money? >> they took o

. >> rob portman, senator thune and tim polent paw lenty.at leaning state and has been quite loyal. when he got out of the race he backed romney and has been campaigning ever since. thune because he is so relatable. he is great on the stump and can go one-on-one with people and the press, of course. >> senator, you like rob portman but then chris christie and marco rubio. tell me why. >> they aren't my choices but i think they are choices that the romney camp will take a hard look at. obviously rubio from florida a very important state. christie would shake things up some. i would want to lead an effort to put donald trump on their ticket. i would pay for the bumper stickers. trump. if not trump then gingrich. >> i'm guessing that you are not in the trump camp, susan. you are not happy with what happened with trump. >> it didn't make sense for romney to go with trump on the day where he could have had a fabulous all attention on him kind of day. >> speaking of taking attention you're not crazy about senators picks. you don't think marco rubi

rob portman's a great choice.onald's a good choice. >> sean: go to kasich in ohio. >> i love kasich. but don't degrade rob is my point. >> sean: i like him. >> we just had charismatic. we just had hope and change and we have had a disastrous four years. >> sean: maybe you will be chargen charge of the vetting and you will pull a dick chaino everybody. >> that's not true. >> sean: i said -- there is no way you are voting for obama. you said, how do you know? >> right. >> sean: who are you going to vote for? >> i'm going to vote for obama -- as if you didn't know. >> sean: why?! you are a businesswoman and a very good one. >> i appreciate that? do you think his economic policies have been good? >> here's why, as a businessperson i am going to vote for him, although like all of us, vimany issues that i care about and the economy is an important one, although not the only one. because i think that we are at a point where we need a balanced policy that starts to pay down the deficit but also doesn't pull back too quick

next, marco rubio, paul ryan, rob portman. herman cain and you decide who people with a machine. what ? customers didn't like it. so why do banks do it ? hello ? hello ?! if youbank doesn't let you talk to a real perso24/7, you need an ally. hello ? ally bank. no nonsense. just people sense. >> welcome back. i'm frank luntz. let's take a look at the three leading contenders for vice-president and how you rate them. first up, let's take a look at how our panel rated paul ryan, the congressman from wisconsin. >> i was working three jobs out of college, waiting tables to pay back my student loans, i did not think of myself as stuck in some condition like a victim. i saw myself on the road of opportunity, trying to realize my version of the american dream, pursuing happiness how i defined it for myself. [cheers and applause] >> before we get to a conversation about paul ryan. let's look at how they reacted to florida senator marco rubio. >> the economy's worse off, the debt is $5 trillion higher and in fact, this president's rhetoric is like anybody else in washington. all the things

rob portman is not at the same level, at least not yet. i do think the big story of the day is not they have done this because they were inevitable and sustained. how many jobs is romney going to say he created? what is romney's view of these few cases that were tough? he's addressed them along the way but not for a general audience. he's going to have to address that in a more brad way and compelling way to win the argument. >> these guys that come in, these are sharp harvard business school guys. they run these companies, they make money, but they basically do it by cost cutting, which means firing people. they clean a place out of its middle management and then they sell it. that company may make it after wafr afterwards, but they're not concerned about that. people don't like the looks of it. >> this is very risky territory for romney for those reasons alone. he didn't go in to create jobs, he went to make a profit. what he's counting on is amne a amnesia. that people will look at the economy now and not associate it with wall street w

i think rob portman would be a great pick. at the end of the day, voters don't vote on the basis of vice president. we always talk about. it gets everybody fired up. i can remember when bob dole picked jack kemp. my god, isn't it great. at the end of the day, it gets down to obama and romney. what it's going to get down to is this. obama is going to say, i inherited a mess and i'm make being it better. romney is going to say, you haven't made it good enough. i can do far better than you have. it will get down to mom and dad and the kids in the living room saying, who do i trust? not who the vice president is. >> governor john kasich minutes ago. governor romney says he will be a better president because of his experience. >>> a scary video brings back memories of uncontrolled acceleration in some cars. if you made a list of countries from around the world... ...with the best math scores. ...the united states would be on that list. in 25th place. let's raise academic standards across the nation. let's get back to the head of th

next, marco rubio, paul ryan, rob portman. herman cain and you decide who ♪ [ male announcer ] aggressive styling. a more fuel-efficient turbocharged engine. and a completely redesigned interior. ♪ the 2012 c-class with over 2,000 refinements. it's amazing...inside and out. see your authorized mercedes-benz dealer for exceptional offers through mercedes-benz financial services. >> welcome back. i'm frank luntz. let's take a look at the three leading contenders for vice-president and how you rate them. first up, let's take a look at how our panel rated paul ryan, the congressman from wisconsin. >> i was working three jobs out of college, waiting tables to pay back my student loans, i did not think of myself as stuck in some condition like a victim. i saw myself on the road of opportunity, trying to realize my version of the american dream, pursuing happiness how i defined it for myself. [cheers and applause] >> before we get to a conversation about paul ryan. let's look at how they reacted to florida senator marco rubio. >> the

bret profile potential vice presidential picks and the next hour, he sits down with ohio senator rob portman moon will dominate the skies, why will it look so big and bright? that answer, comes your way, next. [ rosa ] i'm rosa and i quit smoking with chantix. that i could smoke e for the first wee.. i'm like...yeah, ok... little did i know that one week later i wasn't smoking. [ male announcer ] along with support, chantix is proven to help people quit smoking. it reduces the urge to smoke. some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice any of these stop taking chantix and call your doctor right away. tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems, which could get worse while taking chantix. don't take chantix if you've had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. if you develop these stop taking chantix and see your doctor right away as some can be life-threatening. if you have a history of heart or blood vessel problems, te

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a 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

other potential runningmates include wisconsin's paul ryan, marco rubio, and senator rob portman of ohio. >> tonight speeding is what police say caused the crash that killed three generations of a new york family. the crash happened sunday near the bronx zoo. police say the driver was going at least 20 miles over the speed limit when she clipped a highway divider and lost control. that van plunged 60 feet into a ravine. the driver, her parents, her sister, and three young children, all were killed. >> cell phone videos show the frantic moments in saint louis when a large tent collapsed there, killing one person and injuring dozens more. it happened after a cardinals game this weekend. high wind from a thunderstorm lifted the tent and tore it apart. while a crowd of people was inside, metal pipes, wiring and other rigging materials came crashing down on, top of about 200 people under the tent. one person died. nearly 100 others were hurt. >>> it is pretty pleasant night for us outside right now. even after, though it has been cold lately. doug, what's next around here? >> aufeight of nine

other names, florida senator marco rubio, ohio senator rob portman, former minnesota governor tim pawlenty, and new jersey governor chris christie. >>> san jose mayor chuck reed says he won't make a decision on a city resolution to support gay marriage until after that june 5th election. pushing the mayor to join other big-city mayors around the country in supporting same-sex marriage. now, he says he's not asking mayor reed to go against his personal beliefs but wants reed to do what's right from a legal standpoint. mayor reed questioning the timing. >> i think the timing of this and the connection to the presidential campaigns and local campaigns is unfortunate. >> you cannot treat people as second class citizens when it comes to marriage. and that's what's happening now. it allows the mayor or anyone else to hold on to their religious beliefs, but at the same time, stand up for our constitution and treat everyone the same. >> he wanted to have the full council to consider his proposal next week, but the rules committee and mayor reed have tabled this issue until after the election. the

you know, and the truth is, take a guy like rob portman.e's visiting with netanyahu won't determine if he gets the vp nod he doesn't carry ohio. >> ouch, pete? >> i disagree with my very good friend, will cain, and his beautiful hair. americans do care. you're a heartbeat away from the president, but it is about cred and we're picking on republicans because they're running for this. i can see rob portman in israel, right, he's going to say, king beebe will say, who are you? i'm the junior senator from ohio. why are you here? i'm here for a photo op. can you hold up this sign saying florida voters, vote for me and republican mitt romney. i mean, it's -- i don't know if it's the vp race or the amazing race. >> oh, point taken. okay. your buzzer beater, 20 seconds each. third question, fox and friends aired a four-minute ad attacking barack obama, complete with ominous music and dreary stats. >> we don't have a silver bullet when it comes to gas prices. >> exxon is making $40 billion a year and we're pay $3.50 for gas. we can't just drill our

i think rob portman does that better than anyone else.nd so we've talked about this on the show before. that's where i'm putting my $175 check down in terms of wagering on where romney will go. we'll see. most vice presidential choices surprise us in one way or the other, but i think that's a very strong possibility. >> how much of it because of ohio needing the votes there? >> clearly mitt romney needs to carry ohio. that's a takeaway that is very doable. maybe especially more likely than not that romney takes that state from obama. portman could help that. vice presidents don't really deliver states very much anymore. lyndon johnson delivered test as for jo text a fas for jfk. many candidates have not tried to take a state. george w. bush with dick cheney had a particular role that he wanted for fill, a particular function he wanted his vice president dick cheney to perform for him. he needed experience, he needed gravitas and he got that, but it turned tout to an controversial choice. bill clinton picked al gore, somebody to reinforce

. >> most likely is rob portman, senator from ohio. knows both ends of pennsylvania avenue.another top person might be tim pawlenty he's their backup guy. mitch daniels the governor of indiana would be on the list. the only hint of paprika in our vanilla here is the paul ryan, the budget chairman from wisconsin who is controversial, but would help them in the rush belt. >> and the other idea about going against what happened four years ago, really putting the focus on the economy and knowing that that might be that trigger issue. >> that's why we are hearing so little from mitt romney about gay marriage. even in his speech in battleground virginia at liberty university, just a sentence or two about marriage. he wants to stay on the economy today. the obama campaign is engaging the economy in their own way. they're starting their assault on mitt romney's bane capital record. >> always good stuff. you can read more about it in "politico." thank you. the president has busy day in the big apple. he will deliver a commencement address in bonner college in new york city. and sched

. >> he is walk for ohio, but that doesn't mean you go to jeb bush but rob portman zbleesz do you agreeh me is he boring? >> by law, they must be. >> so with obama. >> and tsunami and blaming me and blaming fox and blaming others. >> you are right. >> you have no idea. i'm going to go to your apartment and rip down that. >> if you want to make a bet, it would be fun. >> sean: we'll come back with one segment and back to the one segment and back to the inter [ male announcer ] the inspiring story of how a shipping giant can befriend a forest may seem like the stuff of fairy tales. but if you take away the faces on the trees... take away the pixie dust. take away the singing animals, and the storybook narrator... [ man ] you're left with more electric trucks. more recycled shipping materials... and a growing number of lower emissions planes... which still makes for a pretty enchanted tale. ♪ la la la [ man ] whoops, forgot one... [ male announcer ] sustainable solutions. fedex. solutions that matter. ♪ lord, you got no reason ♪ you got no right ♪ ♪ i find myself at the wrong place ♪ [ mal

what about rob portman in ohio?let's always presume when we're talking about vice presidents that they won't have an impact on his home state. the last one to have an impact is lyndon johnson. that was a long time ago. generally vice presidents cannot turn their state. they can help. but romney is also pretty strong in florida, so when i look at virginia, i'm not sure he helps that much or hurt the national ticket. he has some controversial -- >> hello. >> can you hear me? [ laughter ] >> yes, exactly. >> well, i appreciate you coming on. i think you are right on the money on much of your analysis. it's a friday night here in "the war room," we love to parse this stuff. coming up a new report blows the roof off of alec's stable of corporate backers, and you will be shocked which companies are ponying up. and mitt romney thinks he found a winning horse in today's so-so job support. and he does know his horses. >> i have a missouri foxtroter, so my is like a quarter horse. it is a much better gate. it moves much smoth

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

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when you add in rob portman as romney's running mate it barely moves the needle, 45% to 45% tie.ise you, chuck todd? >> it doesn't. i think these running mates, let's remember it's more often than not a running mate is picked not for the state that they are from. i mean, i have always argued that bill clinton picked al gore. at the time it was an electoral pick because they thought they were in a three-way race and the democrats had an idea of a southern strategy, if you will. but going back, you have to go all the way back to the 1960s, right? i think we always put too much into that aspect. mitt romney is going to use his vp pick to send a message to either double down on the economy, on the budget, but it's got to be about himself. whatever message he is sending. i can't imagine him doing it any other way, unless somehow it's dramatically -- there's some big dramatic reason three months from now that he needs to do a quote, unquote, and heilemann will love this, this little bell ringer, a game change. but beyond that, i just think we're going to go through this -- all of these