Rob Portman Quotes

I really don't have tremendous political ambition. I have policy ambition.

Boy Governor

I went to Massachusetts to make a difference. I didn't go there to begin a political career running time and time again. I made a difference. I put in place the things I wanted to do.

I came in to make a difference, to be a minister, to make policy.

I didn't need to be speaker because I needed a fancy title or a big office. I wanted to be speaker so I could lead an effort to deal with the serious issues that are facing our country.

Running for office was definitely something I've thought about. When I was younger, I wanted to major in political science. And I've been engaged in current events since I was a kid. If I can make a difference and feel passionately and capable, then I would. Why not?

All I wanted was to be involved in politics and government.

After PepsiCo, I do want to go to Washington. I want to give back.

My function in life is not to be a politician in Parliament: it is to get something done.

If I want to continue to build the kind of effort we have with Do Something, being in a public office would help. I wouldn't rule it out, but it's not something I feel determined to do.

Politics was my third act. But I could have a fourth. I don't know what that will be yet, but there will be one.

Why shouldn't a child look to want to be a political figure, to change our nation, to lead us the right directions?

There are two kinds of horses; there are show horses, and there are work horses, and you've got to decide in the United States Senate whether you want to be a show horse or a work horse.

Once you've been a mayor, you look to try to get things done.

For me, the passions and issues I care so much about are ones that lend themselves to work whether you're in government or outside of government.

Honestly, I'm interested in politics; I'm interested in giving back in some form, performing some sort of civic duty. But I'm not exploring a run for governor or senator or anything along those lines. I'm focused on running Disney.

Even through sports, I have been serving the country. But later, I want to join politics.

This might be a conceit of government officials, but there's the idea that maybe you can make a difference. It's a conceit. Maybe it's unhealthy. We all believed we could make a difference.

Throughout my life, I've always believed that the sole purpose of public service is to improve the lives of the people around us. From the Freeport Town Council to serving as Speaker of the State House, I've kept that sense of purpose close to my heart - consistently and passionately asking myself how we make progress.

I wasn't planning on becoming a politician. I was incredibly fulfilled in my role at PATH.

People pay attention to artists and celebrities, so they have the opportunity to do something great with this limelight. I, for one, have no problem with Kanye running for president, because if it's something that he truly believes in and it can lead to greater good, why not? I'm all for that.

My life will not be defined by a single political campaign. Those will come and go. But what has driven me to run for elected office in the past still drives me today: the knowledge that heroes do walk among us with tremendous strength and power.

What motivated me to dedicate myself to public service for nearly two-thirds of my life was the chance to produce results for those people who entrusted me to be their voice and their champion.

I draw pleasure in governance, in doing new things and bringing people together. That pleasure is all I need from life.

I'd like to think I'm a serious legislator and trying to get things done.