Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is in Boston this weekend to play President Barack Obama as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney prepares for the first presidential debate Wednesday in Denver..

Portman has played the opponent seven times in the past during Republican preparations. In 2000, he portrayed Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore during debate preparations for Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush. He also played Obama in 2008 for Republican nominee John McCain.

In addition, Portman will fly to Denver on Monday and portray Obama once again in Romney’s final practice session before the Oct. 3 debate. Obama and Romney will debate three times in the month of October.

“Senator Portman knows that the success of future generations is at stake if Washington fails to act and continues to kick the can down the road,” said Caitlin Dunn, Portman’s press secretary.

Last night, Portman appeared at a fundraiser in Boston for Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, who is in a difficult re-election campaign against Democrat Elizabeth Warren, a one-time consumer affairs adviser for Obama.

“He is doing everything he can to help Republicans take back the Senate and put in place pro-growth policies that will spur our economy and create jobs,” said Dunn.

Debate schedule

Presidential debates:

Oct. 3

University of Denver, Denver, Colo.

Theme: domestic policy

Moderator: Lehrer

Oct. 16

Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.

Theme: town hall

Moderator: Candy Crowley, CNN

Oct. 22

Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla.

Theme: foreign policy

Moderator: Bob Schieffer, CBS News

Vice-presidential debate:

Oct. 11

Centre College, Danville, Ky.

Theme: domestic and foreign policy

Moderator: Martha Raddatz, ABC News

Team coverage

* Follow us on Twitter at @Ohio_Politics for live updates during the debate.

* Watch the debate live on Channel 7 at 9 p.m.

* Listen to the debate live on Newstalk Radio WHIO 95.7 FM and AM 1290.

* Look for coverage in Thursday’s newspaper.