Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) has made a habit of role-playing Democrats.
"I don't know how that happened," he told Fox News on Monday night,
but added that he looks forward to playing President Obama in Mitt
Romney's practice sessions ahead of the presidential debates this
fall.
"It's an opportunity to learn more about the other side, too, and what
they're thinking, and makes you all the more committed to your point
of view," he said.
Portman played Obama for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) during the last
presidential cycle, but said his strategy would change this year.
He has also played former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), former Vice
President Al Gore and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) in debate prep
for previous elections. He said "the key is to be tougher than they
are" when playing the role of an opponent.
He promised to play an aggressive Obama opposite Romney in his
practice sessions.
"I think Mitt Romney's got a great message, so President Obama's going
to have to attack," he predicted.
Portman's name most recently came up in speculation regarding Romney's running mate before
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was picked.
"It was a shortlist, but apparently not short enough," he joked when
asked about the VP talk.
The Obama campaign is using Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to play Romney
in Obama's debate prep and ranking House Budget Committee member Chris
Van Hollen (D-Md.) in Vice President Biden's debate practice for
when he goes up against Ryan.
