Senator Portman was asked by Senate Minority Leader McConnell and Speaker Boehner to deliver the weekly Republican address this week.

Portman is not the flashiest of the new senators. He’s no outsider. But he does have quiet competence and a grasp of the biggest issues — the budget, taxes, trade and national security — facing the country. He might not be the base’s rock star, but he could well be an MVP in the budget battles ahead.

I also wanted to make you aware of two appearances Senator Portman had earlier today.  Senator Portman appeared on CNN with Jessica Yellin to talk about getting the spending under control, and he held a news conference with Republican Leadership on the GOP reaction to President Obama’s budget request for the 2012 fiscal year.

The President needs to show leadership. He has made a big point about out fiscal problem, he’s been eloquent about describing the problem and the fact is, his solution today is not up to the challenge. That’s what we are looking for, the President to actually match his rhetoric on the seriousness of our fiscal crisis with solutions that really work and you just don’t see this.

Senator Portman was on CNBC’s Squawk Box Program yesterday discussing President Obama’s budget proposal.