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Reporters trump Sen. Portman on the issue of Donald Trump
On the side
There’s a dispute between Judge Colleen Mary O’Toole and Judge Pat Fischer over the former seeking the endorsement of the Ohio Republican Party for an Ohio Supreme Court seat. Judge Fischer’s campaign and state GOP officials say Judge O’Toole sought the backing of a party screening committee, and when it became obvious Judge Fischer would get it, she asked that committee not to recommend in that race.
As evidence, an ORP official gave me a copy of a presentation Judge O’Toole gave that committee. It states the job of its members was to “pick a champion nominee” and “I am best suited to be your champion.” Judge O’Toole said she met with the screening committee, but asked its members not to endorse in her race.
Both sides agree Judge O’Toole had her sister, a state central committee member, ask the central committee also not to endorse. That request was refused.
The Mahoning County Board of Elections re-elected Mark Munroe, the county’s Republican chairman, as its chairman and county Democratic Chairman David Betras as the board’s vice chairman. Joyce Kale-Pesta, a Democrat, was reappointed to the position of elections board director, and Thomas McCabe will remain the deputy director.
Like other Republicans seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate, Rob Portman finds himself in an awkward situation.
Billionaire Donald Trump is clearly the Republican frontrunner for president and will eventually be the party’s nominee.
There is concern from the GOP establishment that Trump at the top of the ticket will not only cost the party the presidency but enough seats in the U.S. Senate to lose control to the Democrats.
While some other Republicans say they won’t support Trump if he gets the party’s nomination, Portman has said he’ll back the nominee even if it’s Trump. He’s added that he doesn’t think that will happen.
During his weekly conference call with reporters, Portman finished his opening statements with criticism of Trump for not quickly condemning support from David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard.
“Donald Trump’s failure to do that was wrong,” Portman said.
He added: “Hate groups like the KKK have no place in our country or in our party.”
Then it was time for questions – and they were all about whether Portman would back Trump if he’s the Republican nominee.
Instead, Portman said to answer that wouldn’t be fair to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who he is backing in the Republican presidential race.
Portman said Kasich “has a definite path forward” that goes through Michigan and Ohio.
Kasich is campaigning hard for the Michigan primary, which is Tuesday.
Polls aren’t always accurate, but recent ones have Kasich last among the four remaining Republican presidential candidates and below the 15-percent threshold to receive any delegates there.
Kasich has underperformed during the presidential race, and finished last in 7 of the 11 Super Tuesday states three days ago. Ben Carson, who has dropped out of the race, beat Kasich an amazing seven times.
In a bizarre statement about Super Tuesday results, Kasich said, “We have absolutely exceeded expectations.”
Kasich remains popular in Ohio even as he spends his time campaigning elsewhere. But recent polls show him and Trump fighting it out for Ohio in the March 15 winner-take-all primary.
What should be more alarming to Kasich and his supporters is Democrats are crossing over to vote in the Republican primary with several saying they’re doing so to cast ballots for Trump.
Most Republican presidential polls don’t include Democrats who vote in GOP primaries.
Back to the Portman conference call: the senator avoided talking about Trump until asked a third time. Portman said he has had disagreements with Trump. It was the same answer when asked a fourth and fifth time.
Reporters commented to Portman that he seemed to be changing his position on Trump.
I got to ask the question – I was blunt – and Portman finally said: “I support the Republican nominee unless something crazy happens.”
I mentioned that “something crazy” has already happened with Trump, and Portman didn’t say anything.
Portman also said, “We’ll see, won’t we? We’ll see.” He added that right now he was focused on Kasich’s campaign.
After asked the ninth time about Trump, Portman said absolutely nothing. He was off the conference call. Portman returned about a minute later saying his connection got lost. His final response was similar to the early pro-Kasich comments.
On a separate conference call with reporters, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges, who also backs Kasich, said he was growing increasingly concerned about what will happen to the party if Trump is the presidential nominee.
He said it would be difficult to organize Republicans in Ohio if Trump is the nominee as some are telling him they can’t vote for Trump.
Having Trump lead the ticket should be of great concern to Portman, who’s in a tight race to retain his U.S. Senate seat. If Trump is crushed in the general election, he’ll likely bring down other Republican candidates with him.