Portman told the Senate about how he played the role of Obama as McCain prepared for the presidential debates. Portman joked that he took that “role very seriously – maybe too seriously” at times. Portman’s job was to “get under” McCain’s skin during the practice debates and acknowledged at times he did.
“Needless to say, he wasn't happy with me during those debate sessions,” Portman said.
Two years later when Portman was elected to the Senate, McCain would jokingly tell reporters that Portman was “the jerk” who played Obama.
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