Romney Fix for Overseas Woes: Portman As Veep

By Caren Bohan // July 31, 2012 | 12:27 p.m.

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, accompanied by Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, shakes hands at Meridian Bioscience during a campaign stop in Cincinnati, Ohio, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

After an overseas trip marked by gaffes and diplomatic missteps, Mitt Romney needs to restore confidence in his ability to lead on foreign policy and serve as a credible commander in chief. Picking Rob Portman as his vice presidential nominee could help him do that.

Portman, an Ohio senator with years of experience in the administrations of President George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush, is on a short list of three leading contenders under consideration by Romney. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are also on that list but would not bring the foreign policy experience that Portman would offer as a former U.S. Trade Representative and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.