Ohio's Sen. Voinovich: Romney Has Management Skills That McCain Lacks

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican U.S. Sen. George Voinovich wasn't very kind to his colleague John McCain today, whom he disparaged as lacking management skills: "We need somebody who knows how to run things."

Howard Wilkinson reports that Ohio's senior senator made it clear to the Cincinnati Enquirer's editorial board today that he favors Mitt Romney for the nation's highest elected office. Voinovich, however, stopped short of making an endorsement. But here is some of what Wilkinson reported he said:

"McCain keeps saying 'we need a leader; I can hire managers,' but we need a leader who understand management. There are big differences between being a mayor or a governor and being a legislator. We are facing some serious issues in this country. We need somebody who knows how to run things. There person in this race who has the most management experience in the private and public sectors is Mitt Romney."

[UPDATE: 5:02 PM -- Matt Hurley at right-leaning Weapons of Mass Discussion quips Voinovich just took himself off the short list for vice president by slamming McCain. Matt reared a scary thought: Will Ohioans have to endure more of those Washington wonk stories suggesting their governor, and now their senator, would be a great addition to the No 2 spot on national tickets of both major parties? That stuff comes up every presidential year; that an Ohioan on the ticket would guarantee Ohio's vote in November -- blah, blah, blah . . .]