Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) responded to Ted Strickland’s characterization of him as "the enemy," suggesting that it indicates the Democratic candidate for Senate would contribute to the "partisan gridlock" in Washington.
The Northeast Ohio Media Group reported that Portman cited recent comments from Vice President Joe Biden when asked about Strickland, the former governor of Ohio, labeling the incumbent Republican senator his "enemy" at a recent Democratic Party event.
"I agree with Joe Biden. You may have seen that he talked about that this week when he decided not to run," Portman said on a conference call with reporters Thursday. "Look, I think treating the other side as an enemy is part of the problem here in Washington. It’s led to the dysfunction that I fight against every day. This place has got too much partisan gridlock, and when I refer to that, part of what I am referring to is the fact that we are not treating each other with respect."
During a speech Wednesday announcing that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for president, Biden scolded Democrats for contributing to the "partisan politics that is ripping this country apart" by calling Republicans enemies.
"They are our opposition, not our enemies," Biden said from the White House Rose Garden.
His remarks came just days after Strickland told a crowd in Cincinnati Monday, "Rob Portman is my enemy and the enemy of those of us who hold Democratic values." Hillary Clinton also named Republicans among the enemies she is most proud of making during the first Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas last week.
On Thursday, Portman noted that while he diverges from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) and other Democrats on policy issues, he still "reach[es] across the aisle and work with them on behalf of Ohioans."
"I represent the entire state. I work with anyone who will help me to help Ohio. And to say that the other side is your ‘enemy’ is part of the attitude that has got us into the problems we’re in," Portman said. "Washington is dysfunctional in part because of that. So I don’t think you can be an effective senator if you think of the other side as an enemy."
A representative for the Strickland campaign released a statement in response that said the Democratic candidate regards Portman as a "nice guy" and "has absolutely nothing personal against him."
Strickland, the likely Democratic nominee for Senate in Ohio, faces young competition in P.G. Sittenfeld, a Cincinnati city councilman who has firmly attacked the former Ohio governor for his positions on guns and other issues.
Sittenfeld also spoke at the Hamilton County Democratic Fall Reception in Cincinnati on Monday.