Scenes from a political fund-raiser, in which Vice President Dick Cheney got the headlines and Rep. Rob Portman got the money: • The 2,000 assembled at the Aronoff Center for the Arts Friday afternoon saw a new video produced by the Republican National Committee. It honors the police and fire heroes of Sept. 11 and praises the leadership of President Bush and his national defense team.

        Not just a tribute, the video reminds viewers that it matters who gets elected. The video was shown at RNC winter meetings and will be used in this year's midterm congressional elections. The GOP has a slim margin in the House and hopes to retake control of the Senate. • Also playing on the big screen: a short, snazzy Valentine to Mr. Portman, the Terrace Park Republican congressman.

        The campaign video — with a selection of family album photos and praise from President Bush — touts him as “A New Leader.”

        Mr. Portman acknowledged, in the most roundabout way possible, that the people coughing up campaign contributions ($200 a ticket) would enable him to think about his political future beyond the U.S. House.

        • Vice President Cheney's daughter Liz charmed the audience with a brief speech. Her father didn't know she'd be speaking. His advice: “Liz, just don't screw it up.”

        • Gov. Bob Taft, up for re-election this year, got a few minutes of lectern time to praise Mr. Portman as “Ohio's go-to guy in Washington.” He also made fun of Mr. Cheney for dropping out of Yale University after two years. Mr. Taft was a classmate who got his degree in 1963.

        • Kim Dong-jin, president of Hyundai Motor Co., appeared at a private reception to meet the vice president and have his picture taken. Mr. Taft squired the Hyundai chief around the state for two days to show off possible sites in Mount Orab and Wapakoneta for a new auto plant.

        • Seen in the lobby: Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken, a Democrat.
       • • •

        Primary time? Democrat Jean Siebenaler is running for Hamilton County commissioner.

        The Green Township family physician describes herself as a “centrist” candidate who favors growth but worries about the effects of sprawl.

        Dr. Siebenaler, 47, will take a sabbatical from her practice to run for the seat being vacated by Republican commissioner Tom Neyer Jr.

        The former Navy doctor says she did pretty well getting 36 percent of the vote against Republican Bill Seitz in the 34th Ohio House District race in 2000.

        This time, she'd have to defeat Phil Heimlich, former Cincinnati councilman and the presumed Republican candidate.

        But first, Dr. Siebenaler may have a Democratic primary challenger in Marilyn Hyland, who lost to Mr. Neyer in 1998 and was defeated in a primary by Todd Portune in 2001.

        Political Notebook appears Sundays. It is compiled by Politics Editor Ron Liebau, 768-8396, or rliebau@enquirer.com.
       

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