BREAKING: Portman is Resigning

AP News Alert:

WASHINGTON (AP) White House budget director Rob Portman is resigning and will be replaced by former Iowa congressman Jim Nussle, Bush administration officials said Tuesday.

Interesting...

UPDATE: This just in from TIME:

Portman said he was leaving the administration for personal reasons. His family has remained in Cincinnati and he has been commuting home on weekends for 14 years. "I need to be home more. I've got three kids ages 12 to 17. It's just been very hard to spend as much time with them and Jane as I need to at this time of my life," he said.

Portman also made it clear he might seek a return to elective office, either by running for governor of Ohio or for the Senate. Portman said the president "is in a good position" to contest the Democratic-controlled Congress over spending if necessary. The White House has issued some veto threats against spending bills in recent days, and more are coming, the budget director said.

Emphasis added. I think Portman ought to run against RINOvich in the primary, but I suspect he's talking about waiting to take on Sherrod Brown... ??? I'm pretty sure that John Kasich has got a pretty good lock, as much of one as can be had this far out, for the governor's race...

UPDATE 2: Malia Rulon gets the answer on the Senate question for USA Today:

The move paves the way for Portman to re-enter politics, either as a gubernatorial candidate in 2010, when Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland's term is up, or a U.S. Senate candidate in 2012, when Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown's six-year term is up.

Portman said Tuesday he's interested in either scenario.

"I'm going to look at the options ... focusing on the possibility of 2010. I also would be looking at 2012, possibly," Portman said, adding that leaving the administration certainly will enable him to "do more politically."

2012 is an awfully long time to be on the sidelines...

UPDATE 3: Rudy Guiliani on Portman's replacement (received via email):

“President Bush made a great choice in Jim Nussle for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The President’s decision was the right one for our country and for taxpayers.

“Jim and I have long shared a commitment to fiscal discipline and I have every confidence he will continue to be an effective steward of taxpayers’ hard earned dollars in his new position.

“As our campaign continues to grow our team in Iowa , I am grateful to Jim for his early support and for his hard work in helping our team get started.”

UPDATE 4: I posed a hypothetical to one of our friends at the Ohio GOP about convincing Sen. Voinovich to hang 'em up and here is the response:

Traditionally, the party has endorsed its incumbent officeholders. We will have a new chairman in January of 2009, and I can't speak to what the state committee might do at that time. We're focused right now on getting Republicans elected in 2007, then we'll move on to 2008 and worry about 2010 after we keep Hillary out of the White House.

While I like the focus on the immediate future, I get the impression that the party is expected to endorse Voinovich if he chooses to stay in the race. I understand where my source is coming from as this is a delicte situation. Voinovich has a 45% to 42% approval/disapporval with 12% undecided. Mike DeWine had these numbers awhile back...and we all know how that one turned out. Portman is still virtually unknown in the state but has been out on the rubber chicken circuit as of late...

UPDATE 5: Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- issued this statement received via email:

“Rob Portman has been an important ally of House Republicans in promoting fiscal discipline, fighting wasteful spending, and holding the majority accountable for its promises. During his tenure at OMB, Rob proved himself to be an effective advocate for fiscal discipline just as I knew he would be. I’ve known Rob for a long time and think very highly of him, both as a colleague and a fellow Ohioan. While I’m sorry to see him go, I wish him great success in his future endeavors.

“I’m pleased that Jim Nussle will soon take the reins at OMB. Jim and I worked together before in the early 1990s as part of the Gang of Seven where we fought to make the House more transparent and accountable. I know he’ll work with House Republicans closely – just as Rob did – to reform the way Washington spends taxpayer dollars, and to fight against wasteful and excessive spending. House Republicans are committed to sustaining any Presidential veto over excessive spending by Democrats, and I look forward to working with Jim in that effort this year.”

UPDATE 6: Statement from Ohio GOP Deputy Chariman Kevin DeWine:

“Rob is one of smartest, hardest-working people I know, but at the end of the day he’s a family man. What so many people respect about him is his ability to look beyond politics and policy to the things that matter most – being a dad and husband. Ohioans share those values, and it’s one of the many things they’ve come to respect and admire about Rob Portman.

“I’m sure his family will be happy to have him closer to home again, and his party feels the same way. Rob has an amazing record of leadership and accomplishment. He would make a fine addition to our statewide ticket in 2010.”

UPDATE 7 - 6/20 - Portman for VP? Geraghty seems to think there is a possibility...

I tend not to think Portman is the answer to solve all of the GOP's problems...