[img_assist|nid=1136|title=Rob Portman after a press conference|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=420|height=252]MINNEAPOLIS -- Rob Portman began to carefully build a case against Democrats and for himself as a statewide officeholder two years from now in a meeting with reporters Thursday.

As always Portman said won't make a decision to run for office until after the election, but began to comment about Gov. Ted Strickland, his own economic ideas and what affect President Bush will have on future Election Days.

Portman built a hypothetical case for himself as a candidate, saying his resume qualifies him to tackle the state's economic problems.

"I think being the budget chief, and the trade rep has really given me the ability to help Ohio, either as a governor or senator in ways that I frankly didn't have before," Portman said.

However, Portman served in those positions as an appointee of George W. Bush, who's highly unpopular with voters. Portman was asked what affect Bush's low approval rating will have on Republicans, including him if he runs.

"I don't agree with him on everything, he's far from perfect, none of us are," Portman said. "I don't think it'll be as effective a campaign angle from the Democrats as they think it will be. I think people see John McCain as a different guy, he's not George Bush."

As for Ohio, Portman said Gov. Ted Strickland is popular despite Ohioans displeasure with the state's economy.

"At this point they don't seem to be assigning blame to the administration," he said.

Portman shied away from directly attacking Strickland, saying that Strickland isn't aggressive enough in pursuing growth.

"They're not willing to make the sort of bold policy changes needed to put Ohio back on track," he said.

Even when Strickland's accusation that John McCain is "not as stable mentally'" as Bush was raised with Portman, he chose not to attack the governor.

"I think those are unfortunate comments," he said. "I hope the Obama campaign distances itself from those kinds of comments just as I hope the McCain campaign would if anybody questioned Senator Obama's mental capabilities or stability."

As for policy Portman said he doesn't think the income tax should be eliminated but that the state's tax system must be restructured to promote business growth. Wenesday, John Kasich told cheering Republicans he wanted to eliminate the income tax.