U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) was repeatedly asked by reporters if he would support Donald Trump as his party’s nominee for president, or if he would join other Ohio Republicans and refuse to campaign for Trump. And he gave what some might call a qualified answer.
Portman said that Gov. John Kasich is still his candidate in the race, and that he’s confident Kasich can still win the nomination. But he would not say whether he would or would not support Trump.
“You know, I do intend to support the eventual nominee unless something crazy happens. That’s still my position – it’s been my position for a year now. I feel strongly that the country is headed in the wrong direction, and I want to be sure that we change direction.”
Portman said he's backing Kasich because he feels the economy and national security are the most important issues in the campaign, and that Kasich is the strongest candidate on those concerns.