Rob Portman Quotes

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

I served 14 years in the state legislature and served in both the minority and majority.

I was a very, very good congressman.

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

As I've learned in my time in the state legislature, important legislation is always a work in progress.

Speaker Newt Gingrich has appointed a task force, which I'm on, and over the next couple months the task force is going to try to come up with legislation that does what we're all trying to do. I feel pretty good about the members that are on the task force.

I changed that system in Florida when I was the Speaker of the House - I was the Minority Leader; I saw for 16 years the way a power system works.

Stop sending out press releases and start passing some bills...

I'm always going to have a strong preference for things that can actually pass into legislation. We can talk about big issues and have big goals while also working on pragmatic things.

I really focus on making sure that we pass good policy. I don't mind throwing my elbows around to get it done.

I'm looking forward to going to Congress to pursue my Working Families Agenda and find areas of bipartisan agreement to move forward on important legislation.

You have to have patience to be a legislator.

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

I do politics in order to do policy.

I love working for the people of Indiana. I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives, but I do not love Congress.

The challenge has been, we make policy in the world of politics.

I got a job with a law firm in Portland after a couple of years with Senator Muskie. But by then, my interest in politics had been sparked, through meeting Senator Muskie, through seeing what he did.

I enjoyed my stay in the Congress. Most people do not. And too many people who have been elected really don't understand the nature of government.

There's a rhythm to the legislative session and there are rhythms to legislative sessions. So I think that's very important to take into consideration when you are deciding what to do when.

But, you know, once you're in government, very often you need to shoulder responsibility. I hope the new Spanish government will think about this and will therefore act accordingly. I really and sincerely hope so.

From my perspective, we as a nation need to make policy a priority and drive the politics as a result of good policy.

I've loved being in legislative office on a state level, and I think on a federal level there are so many more opportunities. I'm so excited to accomplish more.

Throughout the 40 years I've been in Washington, I've always worked hard, particularly with regards to the budget issues.

I happened to have the privilege of serving in Congress. It will be 16 years at the end of this term. And I think I made a difference here on important issues.

I loved being in the Senate. That was a wonderful experience.