Rob Portman's Rhetoric On The Budget Rings Hollow
On his website, former Republican congressman and Bush White House budget director Rob Portman states, "I understand that reducing deficits through pro-growth policies and keeping federal spending under control are the cornerstones of fiscal responsibility." However, a quick glance at Portman's record reveals that his rhetoric is not to be believed.
Rob Portman On the Budget
RobPortman.com:
[RobPortman.com, accessed 11/10/09]
Portman's Rhetoric Falls Flat
Bush: "I Will Nominate Rob Portman To Be The Director Of The Office Of Management And Budget." While speaking in the Rose Garden, President Bush said, "Today I'm announcing my nomination of two outstanding individuals to serve in my Cabinet and on my economic team. First, I will nominate Rob Portman to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget... The job of OMB Director is really an important post, and Rob Portman is the right man to take it on. Rob's talent, expertise, and record of success are well known within my administration and on Capitol Hill." [President Bush's Remarks on the Nomination of Rob Portman to be Director of the OMB, 4/18/06]
Bush: "He Is The Person In Charge Of Meeting Our Goal To Cutting The Budget Deficit In Half By 2009." While delivering remarks about the nomination of Rob Portman to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, President Bush said, "He is the person in charge of meeting our goal to cutting the budget deficit in half by 2009. And he is responsible for managing Federal programs efficiently. The American people deserve results for every hard-earned dollar they send to Washington." [President Bush's Remarks on the Nomination of Rob Portman to be Director of the OMB, 4/18/06]
The Deficit Increased By $500 Billion In Portman's Year At The OMB:
- The National Debt Was $8.3 Trillion When Portman Became OMB Director. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the total public debt outstanding when Portman assumed control of the Office of Management and Budget was $8,343,987,357,176.86. [Roll Call, 5/30/06; U.S. Treasury Department, accessed 7/30/08]
- The National Debt Was $8.8 Trillion When Portman Resigned As OMB Director. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the total public debt outstanding when Portman resigned from the Office of Management and Budget was $8,817,082,504,084.05. [Associated Press, 6/19/07; U.S. Treasury Department, accessed 7/30/08]
