Portmanapallooza

We've gotten lots of fun stuff about Rob Portman today.

The White House pool report from his goodbye press conference:

Pool Report #2
June 19, 2007

New OMB director in the Roosevelt Room

Two short rows of seats were set up facing the podium for the announcement. Portman, who apparently still has the run of the place, showed up early with his wife, found the room full of journalists, and quickly retreated. The trio of Bush, Portman and Nussle later arrived together from the general direction of the Oval. Nussle's family entourage included his mother-in-law, which the president noted with approval. All three spoke (see transcript), Portman made a few jokes, Bush mugged a little bit, and then it was over.



Julie Mason
Houston Chron

Portman himself:

This is a great opportunity at OMB to make a big difference. It can also be a tough job sometimes. Although my title was Director of OMB, other titles sometimes came my way -- Dr. No. (Laughter.) Tightwad. (Laughter.) Budget hawk. Penny-pincher. (Laughter.) And some not suitable for a television audience. (Laughter.)

And Tony snow on his "fellow Cincinnatian"

One of the things that Rob brought to this -- to OMB was long experience in Congress, and prior to that, as a member of the first Bush White House, as well as serving as a U.S. Trade Rep and the Budget Director. And we're going to miss him a lot. I mean, he and I are fellow Cincinnatians. But at this point, too, you take a look -- and Rob's kids are 12, 14, and 17; their father has been commuting back and forth to Washington for 14 straight years. His 12 and 14-year-old have never seen Daddy at home during the weekdays. As a parent of a teen -- and many who understand parents of teens -- it's very important for Rob to get back. Clearly he will remain engaged in politics in Ohio, there's a little bit of that going on. But on the other hand, he's returning home.