January 21, 2011

Paul Ryan — of Wisconsin — will give the official GOP response to Obama's State of the Union address.

The NYT reports:
In previous years, members of the minority party have turned to new, young governors to present a fresh face to the country during the brief response that is shown on television after the president’s speech. But that has not always worked.
Example given: Bobby Jindal, last year in 2009.
Instead, this year, Republicans are turning to one of their senior members who has been given broad authority by Mr. Boehner to use his new position on the budget committee to drive the Republican fiscal agenda through the House.

59 comments:

Scott M said...

If they were all truly the brilliant leaders they all think they are, nobody would get anyone's speech copy beforehand.

Thankfully, though I like what Jindal has become as a leader, I think it was a misstep to have him do the response last year. I'm fine with a budget committee member doing it...elder statesmen are needed now more than ever. And, since the tired, old left-wing attack against "old white guy" is loosing it's cache, I say "Bite Me".

FloridaSteve said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
FloridaSteve said...

Well I guess when you want your public image to be that you are experienced and competent then you might as well put someone up there who has those qualities... I guess time will tell.

mccullough said...

Paul Ryan and the other recovering conservatives needs to push the Medicare Part D repeal. He now says he mistakenly voted for it.

Salamandyr said...

Paul Ryan isn't exactly an "elder statesman". He's a young guy too.

Trooper York said...

I wish they would have used Jerri Ryan.

I know she is a Republican.

Original Mike said...

Paul Soglin's worst nightmare.

Trooper York said...

Although if it wasn't for her Obama would never been elected Senator.

The Drill SGT said...

at 40, and a committee chair, he seems quite young compared to the Dem Chairman of last term who must have averaged 70-74 years old

several had been in office, longer than Ryan has been alive

Ryan, born 1970

Obey, appro, served since 69
Conyers, Justice, served since 65
Spratt, budget '83
rangel, ways and means, '73

Jon said...

Althouse said: Example given: Bobby Jindal, last year.

It was McConnell last year, Jindal was in 2009.

Mick said...

Paul Ryan is the real deal. Jindal could have been a real statesman, and proclaimed that despite the cheerleading for his presidential candidacy, he cannot run, because he is not a natural born Citizen, due to his parents' non US Citizenship when he was born in La. But alas, he's just another political hack.

Roger J. said...

Hey Trooper--how was St Maertens?
Go jets, btw

Trooper York said...

St Maartens was by far the best island we visited. Well except for Puerto Rico which was the bomb because we met a freind there who took us to some hot spots.

traditionalguy said...

Wisconsin seems to be getting in the news a lot lately and all for the good stuff.

Peter Hoh said...

Is Mick a moby?

Seriously, I bet there are more Freudians on the right than there are people who believe that Jindal isn't eligible to serve as president.

I think Ryan is a good choice for the response. He took a leadership role in the budget discussions before the 2010 elections, and he deserves some credit for (can I say it?) sticking to his guns.

Original Mike said...

"Wisconsin seems to be getting in the news a lot lately and all for the good stuff."

We lost the Rose Bowl. :(

Trooper York said...

Yeah and they are going to lose a big game this weekend too!

Mick said...

peter hoh said...

"Is Mick a moby?

Seriously, I bet there are more Freudians on the right than there are people who believe that Jindal isn't eligible to serve as president.

I think Ryan is a good choice for the response. He took a leadership role in the budget discussions before the 2010 elections, and he deserves some credit for (can I say it?) sticking to his guns."


Jindal is certainly NOT eligible. His parents were NON Citizen residents, in the US for 6 months when Bobby was born. If they were US citizens when he was born he would be eligible, but it took a statute to make him a citizen, thus, not a natural born Citizen.

Peter Hoh said...

Wisconsin owes us $57 million.

Double or nothin' on the Bears game.

Original Mike said...

"Yeah and they are going to lose a big game this weekend too!"

I'd respond but it's "Let's all be civil week".

traditionalguy said...

Big Mike... Wisconsin did so much better in the Rose Bowl than anyone could could have expected. They were playing a superior team but lost by one play in the end and beat the point spread.

garage mahal said...

I'd respond but it's "Let's all be civil week".

It's just nice to have your team in the championship game isn't it? Green Bay, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York all representing. Well half of NYC anyway.

Scott M said...

Ryan, born 1970

Woot for the X'rs. Don't trust anyone over or under 40. Until February 24th.

Scott M said...

One of my drivers said it was almost 20 below in Chicago around noon. Another in Green Bay said neg 30.

Good football weather :)

Original Mike said...

"Well half of NYC anyway."

The better half, presumably.

Original Mike said...

@trad guy: Yeah, they didn't embarrass themselves like some other team from the Big Ten who thought they deserved to go to the Rose Bowl. Man, did they stink up the joint.

garage mahal said...


The better half, presumably.


Presumably.

Original Mike said...

I guess that wasn't civil, was it? I don't care.

Bite me, Sparty!

I'm Full of Soup said...

In the next 2-4 years, I suspect the average age of a Congress critter will be way less than it is is today.

Baby boomers will be an endangered species in the Beltway and that is a good thing IMO.

Place a big bounty on our dumb asses because we have f-ed up the country.

wv= boofin

I'm Full of Soup said...

I see a Packers-Steelers Super Bowl.

Da Bears get spanked bigtime cause Cutler sucks while the Jets lose cause they have to play barefoot when they can't locate their shoes [their coach maybe stole them?].

coketown said...

Paul Ryan is also a sexy little morsel to behold, so that doesn't hurt when you're trying to convince the television audience that the GOP isn't a party of miserly old curmudgeons anymore. Mad Moms everywhere will swoon when he takes to the lectern.

Scott M said...

lol @ Coke

Should he hold a cig the whole time he's up there? Maybe so.

coketown said...

@ Scott: That couldn't hurt! Maybe Palin could also coach Ryan on the art of the intermittent wink.

Sprezzatura said...

Bachman is stepping all over Ryan. The poor guy doesn't stand a chance against a RINO huntress.

Maybe Palin will also have a video response. Watch out Bachman.

Michael K said...

Jindal is certainly NOT eligible. His parents were NON Citizen residents, in the US for 6 months when Bobby was born. If they were US citizens when he was born he would be eligible, but it took a statute to make him a citizen, thus, not a natural born Citizen.

This surprises me. If he was not a natural born citizen, then why are the anchor babies of the illegals citizens ? Are you sure of that ?

Trooper York said...

Jet fans are all drunken douchebags from Long Island. They are the descendants of the poor sods who could not get Giant's tickets.

The dog ass Jets will also lose big this weekend.

It will be the Bears vs the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

Trooper York said...

And I will predict that the Steelers will win.

As long as Big Ben doesn't rape anyone while he is in Dallas. Just sayn'

David said...

Meanwhile, Obama has modified his hair color again.

Nevertheless, I believe it when his henches say that he has not darkened his hair. It seems more likely that he adds grey when he needs to show gravitas or maturity.

Calypso Facto said...

Trooper's 0 for 4 this season predicting playoff games involving the either the Packers or Jets, but it doesn't keep him from tryin'!

David said...

"Jindal is certainly NOT eligible. His parents were NON Citizen residents, in the US for 6 months when Bobby was born. If they were US citizens when he was born he would be eligible, but it took a statute to make him a citizen, thus, not a natural born Citizen."

I think you need to restudy the Constitution, Mick.

garage mahal said...

Yea Trooper hasn't exactly been Nostradamus in the playoffs has he?
I think it will be a close game in Chicago, 20-16. The only way I can see the Bears winning is asking Cutler to do it for them, and I don't see that happening against this Packers defense which is playing lights out.

The Drill SGT said...

Jindal is certainly NOT eligible.

yeah Mick. a lot of conservatives don't think the Constitution ought to be interpreted as "birth right citizenship", but currently it is, therefore Jindal was a citizen the moment he drew a breath. particularly since his parents were here as legal residents, even the most stringent interpretations would say he was a citizen. e.g.

his parents were not:
- ambassadors
- other diplomats
- visitors
- foreign students
- enemies
- illegals

Trooper York said...

Yes I have been wrong but that only increase the odds that this time I will be right.

I wish the Packers well but I just don't see it.

The Jets are just losers. Same old Jets.

The Drill SGT said...

Trooper York said...
I wish the Packers well but I just don't see it


You can root for the Packers by rationalizing it based on the fact that they have the best ownership in the NFL :)

Phil 314 said...

Mick is nothing if not consistent.

C R Krieger said...

Why don't the Republicans take this civility thing to the next level and not even give a response?

It isn't a real response since it is on the fly and not after serious examination.

Leave it to the Pundits.  Leave it to Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

Trooper York said...

Hey Cliff. I was sorry to hear that Norm had passed away.

Glad to see that hasn't changed you in the least. But I guess not much changes in the Post Office.

Say hello to Karla for me.

All the best,
Your Pal
Trooper.

Unknown said...

Agree with the assessment that Ryan is a good pick and, as one of the new guard, makes a great contrast to the Demos.

Since he's also one of the most outspoken on fiscal policy, the Establishment media types will have to give him some mention on that by way of introduction.

Trooper York said...

St Maartens was by far the best island we visited. Well except for Puerto Rico which was the bomb because we met a freind there who took us to some hot spots.

Agree about St Maartens. The Blonde and I snorkeled off a good size cabin cruiser that used a well deck, rather than ladders. Easiest time getting back on, ever. Run by a family of South African emigres.

You never said. What other islands did you see?

PS Next time go Royal Caribbean. Carnival is too much of a zoo.

Trooper York said...

We hit St Maaten, St Thomas, Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos.

St Maaten was by far the best.

Trooper York said...

Lot's of Packers fans there by the way.

I think it was because they were all high. But I could be wrong.

ricpic said...

It doesn't really matter what Ryan says if the Republicans cave on raising the debt ceiling. That will signal the Republicans are complicit in kicking the can down the road. Grow a pair, Pubbies, fool us all.

knox said...

RYAN 2012

Just kidding. I like him right where he is: in charge of the money.

RYAN 2016

Trooper York said...

Do you think Paul Ryan digs feet like his cousin Rex?

Paul Brinkley said...

traditionalguy: "Wisconsin seems to be getting in the news a lot lately and all for the good stuff."

Original Mike: "We lost the Rose Bowl. :( "

He DID say "all for the good stuff"...

Kirk Parker said...

All this silly talk about SOTU and the rest is just to distract from the real issue: Althouse's enemies are so well organized that they actually have a national day in their honor. Is that creepy or what???

Mick said...

Phil 3:14 said...

"Mick is nothing if not consistent."



The truth sets me free, but a lot of people are willfully blind to it.

DaveW said...

Ryan is perfect for this. Ryan has charisma and he's sharp as a razor. Putting Ryan on national TV is the Pubs putting one of their best on display.

I wish he could/would run for president this round. He might be better off waiting for an empty seat in 2016 though. It's hard enough to beat an incumbent and Obama is going to be even more so with the media advantage he holds.

I keep looking, but I still don't see the most important thing needed to drive Obama from office; a credible Republican candidate.

Tank said...

Ryan is the real deal. Even if you disagree with his specifics, he's an adult who understands the problems. I wish he had Palin's mojo.

He would make a great president.

woof said...

Ryan voted for TARP. He could never be President.