Portman resigns from Whitehouse eyes Ohio politics...

Interesting news on several fronts, first that Portman's replacement could have a possible impact on the Giuliani campaign since Jim Nussle was one of his advisors in Iowa. Not just from a replacement standpoint but as many of the Republican candidates try to distance themselves from the President, this could be used as opponents as a way to connect Giuliana to the Whitehouse.

On the Ohio front there's this:

Portman, who was a six-term GOP congressman, left his career on Capitol Hill to join the Bush administration two years ago as trade representative and was named budget director a little more than a year ago to replace Josh Bolten when he became White House chief of staff.

Portman said he was leaving the administration for personal reasons. His family has remained in Cincinnati and he has been commuting home on weekends for 14 years.

"I need to be home more. I've got three kids ages 12 to 17. It's just been very hard to spend as much time with them and Jane as I need to at this time of my life," he said.

Portman also made it clear he might seek a return to elective office, either by running for governor of Ohio or for the Senate.

If the family issue is as stated, that makes a run for the Senate illogical since it would also entail being away from their home in Cinci, which leads me to believe if Portman does have plans? He's eyeing Governor...