(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday in Israel. An Israeli official confirmed the meeting to ABC News Tuesday. While international trips are common for members of Congress during recess, Portman’s meeting with the Israeli head of state fuels speculation that Portman sits atop the list of Mitt Romney’s potential running mates.
While Portman has a substantial domestic policy resume, having served seven terms as a congressman as well as a stint as director of the Office of Management and Budget under George W. Bush, his foreign affairs experience is limited to the year he served as U.S. Trade Representative under George H. W. Bush and his current seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which he has held since 2011.
The Israeli official was unaware of speculation about Portman’s reported place on Romney’s shortlist and highlighted that Netanyahu makes every effort to meet visiting American politicians.
