Huffington Post Manufactures False VA Hit Piece On Portman

The Huffington Post headline for a story attacking Republican Rob Portman is false and a closer look at the original story points out some relevant issues with the media report upon which it is based, as well.

Rob Portman Escorted Out Of VA Hospital For Campaigning

DAYTON — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rob Portman stopped at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Sunday, May 24, to “meet and greet” veterans at the Patriot Freedom Festival, but was quickly informed by VA officials that campaigning on federal property is illegal.

Portman, who was accompanied by his teenage son, Will, as well as his campaign manager, said he wasn’t seeking votes at the VA, but was simply there to talk to veterans about their needs and concerns.

“I will be a champion for this facility if I’m elected,” Portman told a reporter as he left the VA grounds.

I spoke with Portman Campaign Manager, Bob Paduchik by phone for comment when I saw the item. I know Bob from around DC. He was not at the event and Portman was not escorted out of the event as HuffPo alleges, as he had permission to be there. That's also true of Ohio's Democratic Attorney General, who is also running for re-election, as evidenced by the event agenda. Strangely, that didn't make the news.

The Portman campaign phoned in advance as it had an actual campaign event scheduled close by that day. They were informed that his visit would be fine, so long as he wasn't campaigning, which he did not do. Evidently the journalist heard a VA staffer re-affirming the rules for Portman, which is fine. And the exchange was nothing more than that.

Unfortunately, Portman's people have been unable to contact the paper regarding the story, most likely due to the Holiday.‬

Paduchik told me it was a great event for Portman, as Veterans are an important constituency for him. Consequently, he's always looking to interact with them and learn more about what's on their minds.

Comments

[IslamoLlama]

Lols. Spin, spin, as fast as you can.

Is there any rule a Republican won't race to break?

[Rob Crawford]

What rule was broken, idiot?

[13yankeebravo]

Any thing that slanders a Republican will be posted on Huff&Puff all the time every time.

[Hogarth]

Llamas, particularly the Islamic variety, can't read and as a consequence are easy to fleece.

[PookyBear]

Sounds like Huffington Post was the one doing the spinning.