[T]he team of Romney and Ryan was excellent. They answered questions from people as equal partners — some deference to Romney, but basically equals. Ryan is a terrific speaker, and he got more applause than Romney a couple times. Hearing them answer the same question, one after the other, I kept thinking Ryan is the stronger of the 2. And that's not to say Romney was unappealing, just less intense.Here's my photograph of them (in the overflow room):
Surely, Romney will pick Ryan as his VP. Right?
I had the feeling there were 2 future Presidents in the room.
Sitting down to write this post, I asked Meade, "So what does this mean?" He said: "The economy." The election is/must be about the economy.
Posts
90 comments:
"I had the feeling there were 2 future Presidents in the room."
Yes.
Romney-Ryan is a combination I will consider voting for - instead of Libertarian.
No wonder I think this is a brilliant Blog and tell all my friends.
Sitting down to write this post, I asked Meade, "So what does this mean?" He said: "The economy." The election is/must be about the economy.
Well. Duh!
This election will determine whether we as a nation vote ourselves into an entitlement stupor, or make some hard decisions about the size of government and its role in our lives.
In any event it is an electio that will determine the direction of this country for the next thirty years. (If Obama is reelected I don't give us much hope as a nation past thirty years.)
I couldn't be more pleased. Bring it liberals.
I guess this election comes down to numbers verses jealousy.
Interesting the announcement was made in front of a decommissioned USS Wisconsin that is now a museum much like the philosophy embraced by Paul Ryan. As Bain destroys yet another American based business in Freeport, Ill. to send it to China, I think the debate on the economy and who can create jobs for America will be an interesting and welcome one.
A serious choice, which is a very good thing. There will be an attempt to bring the election back to policy, competence, vision, economic growth.
We will see whether the attempt is successful. Obama and his hench will demonize Ryan and distort his proposals. Will the press treat the issues seriously, or stay in sound bite mode? Are the voters ready for this? Can Romney and Ryan frame their ideas in a way that people will respond?
You called it, Althouse. Good job.
Few called this -- Intrade had him at around 10%, with Portman at around 40%.
I'm pleasantly surprised that Romney would make such a bold move. Once again, I'll be more enthusiastic about the vp than the top of the ticket, but that's OK, I'll take it.
Already the Obama administration is telling us that the medicine prescribed by Romney and Ryan is much too bitter to take right now. We can wait four more years to get well.
The biggest reason jobs move overseas is the old blue-model unsustainable and corrupt union/democrat machine.
Ryan's speech used words like love and duty as if they are real things.
That connects. Frankly Mitt being rich and silent does has not connected. Ryan also focuses on earning money, which is the problem the 99%'s faces today.
And he understands leadership counts. He is not too shy to say so.
But more importantly Ryan believably presents his plan as a solvable problem within acceptible austerity limits.
Now if Mitt will let Ann and Paul do the speaking, he will get his coveted job.
A very good, solid selection. And, a strong move by Romney to make the economy and government size the issue rather than selecting a popular state/regional choice. I could have been enthused by a Rubio or Jindal selection but am very excited about Ryan. This also gives Ryan the executive experience that I think makes him a much more serious Presidential candidate in the future. And I don't care if they do a Ryan/Biden debate on pay-per-view. I'll cough up the bucks to watch it.
Pastafarian said:
" Once again, I'll be more enthusiastic about the vp than the top of the ticket..."
Yep. I would have considered voting for Palin-McCain in 2008 (instead of Libertarian). McCain-Palin, not.
The major qualification for Republican presidential candidates has too often been simple seniority.
Reagonomics vs. Socialism Lite.
The choice is certainly clear.
I prefer Reagonomics. I depend on businessmen who want to continue to invest in their businesses.
I go to them for a job.
So, is it true that Paul Ryan sleeps on a cot in his office and, unlike other pols with fancy DC cribs, goes home after every session?
I can't wait to see Romney's august fundraising numbers.
chickenlittle said in April:
I think speculating about Romney's running mate is premature, makes for good copy and gets POTUS worried.
I should amend that now to add that Althouse was prescient at the time. :)
roesch/voltaire said...
. As Bain destroys yet another American based business in Freeport, Ill. to send it to China, I think the debate on the economy and who can create jobs for America will be an interesting and welcome one
Interesting that you're willfully ignorant of the fact that a current Bain executive is one of Obama's top bundlers.
But you need that sweet, sweet cocoon of lies in order to get you through the day.
I like Ryan and naturally, I really like his hard numbers crunching. They say this will energize the Conservatives, who have been all MEH about Romney to come out and vote.
It is about whether we will make a U turn and go back to fiscal solvency, growth or continue to become an entitlement nation where more than half of the population is riding on the backs of the workers.
HOWEVER, my fear is that Ryan will energize the base.....of Obama. Normally the entitlement....oh, Hell, let's call it like it is.... the leeches, welfare queens, professional scammers milking the system of freebies. Those people normally don't bother to vote in large numbers. They did last time for Obama because he was black and he would pay for their gas and mortgage
These people will be energized to vote when they see the stark choice of losing their comfy ride on the gravy train. They WILL vote in mass, vote often and bring out the dead. This IS the Obama strategy. Divide the nation and have the "have not's" who are living off of the rest of us vote for their continuation of freebies.
The tap dancing around voter ID and refusal to clean up the voter roles is just the run up to massive MASSIVE voter fraud.
We MUST be energized and get out and vote and we MUST stop the fraud and corruption.
If we do not....we are doomed as a nation. Be afraid....be VERY afraid.
I hope that picking Paul Ryan means that here will be no more silliness and hyperbole accusing Republicans of wanting people to die quick. A guy can dream.
More proof that Romney is a serious problem solver. This is by far the best pick for setting about solving the economic mess we're in. Ryan is both smart and articulate. He has a real grasp of what works economically and even better, he can articulate it.
Bravo.
Freeport, Ill.
LOLOLOLOL The Illinois Combine destroys Illinois.
Chicago Way, baby, all the way.
"The Return of Reaganomics." Sounds like a slogan for Obama.
Joe Biden just shit his pants.
Great pick!!! HOWEVER...
The idiot who staged the announcement is, well, an idiot. The people in the picture behind the candidates were overwhelmingly old, fat, male and white - and bored. Obama will exploit this image!
Get some young enthusiatic people in the picture, guys.
phx said...
"The Return of Reaganomics." Sounds like a slogan for Obama.
Yes, because invoking one of the more popular Presidents in modern memory who Presided over the creation of over 18 million jobs (and median income increases of 7%) is like so stuuuuupid!!!
For once I kind of agree with Roach about something. The ecomomic philosophy of 1943, when USS Wisconsin was launched, is indeed a museum piece.
Obama HATES Ronald Reagan.
But he will happily attempt to steal RR's popularity. One more reason to look at Obama as a fraud and a scam artist.
Bold and serious Paul Ryan voted for every budget busting bill under Bush. He even voted for the GM bailout. Visionary!
Now that Ryan has been chosen, many websites are showing the video of Ryan at Obama's healthcare summit. Ryan takes apart the Democrats' health care plan in just over six minutes. It reminds me of a married couple, where the husband comes home and announces to his wife he is going to buy a fully loaded BMW. He tells her about the buttery-soft leather seats, the incredible stereo, engine, etc. She stops him and tells him we can't afford a BMW. She recites the facts and figures and family budget numbers, all adding up to the fact that they really can't afford a BMW. He just glares at her. It is exactly the look that Obama gives Ryan in that video. Obama wants his BMW
Now that Ryan has been chosen, many websites are showing the video of Ryan at Obama's healthcare summit. Ryan takes apart the Democrats' health care plan in just over six minutes. It reminds me of a married couple, where the husband comes home and announces to his wife he is going to buy a fully loaded BMW. He tells her about the buttery-soft leather seats, the incredible stereo, engine, etc. She stops him and tells him we can't afford a BMW. She recites the facts and figures and family budget numbers, all adding up to the fact that they really can't afford a BMW. He just glares at her. It is exactly the look that Obama gives Ryan in that video. Obama wants his BMW
So what happens to Ryan's Congressional district? Can Ryan remain on that ballot or is he out?
Paul Ryan as President of the Senate? Hmmmmm..
The US Senate. Now there is an organization badly in need of someone who can kick butt and take names.
I had given up hope that Mitt would pick him, that his team would be too scared of the real debate, the argument of freedom versus statism.
This is a great moment. He is taking it to Obama. He is inside his head.
Ryan even talked about natural rights! I'm over the moon.
I'm seeing pundits on TV talk about a possible Obama campaign strategy of attacking Ryan's budget plan on the basis of the danger(according to Obama, the Dems and the lefty pundits) to Social Security and other entitlements that Ryan's plan represents(to them).
This sort of puts Obama in a bind. If Obama attacks Ryan's budget plan such an attack violates the current Obama campaign dictum of 'keep the subject on anything but the economy.' In order to attack Ryan Obama may be forced to spend time on the subject of the economic issues and that could be fatal to Obama's re-election.
He picked an atheist!?!? Haha....
"This sort of puts Obama in a bind. If Obama attacks Ryan's budget plan such an attack violates the current Obama campaign dictum of 'keep the subject on anything but the economy.'"
Excellent point. I wouldn't be surprised at all that it factored into Romney's decision.
LOL at garage criticizing Ryan from the right.
Thanks for your conservative concern, garage! You're so right, that Paul Ryan is such a squish, he might as well be a Democrat.
Meade again showing hisperspicacity by snagging the Professor.(or do I have that backwards?) ;-)
R/V
Yes. Zero's doing a great job creating jobs...little more than 150,000 a month. And then, with a stroke of dictitorial pen, he ignores US law to allow Miilions of illegals to stay to vie for those jobs.
Well done Zero! Bravo!
My only consolation to the Ryan pick, is that he's the only one who has admitted we have a problem spending money. I have yet to see that from the other 3.(As GM said, he hasn't voted NO on a lot of crap)
The reason we're in the shape we're in is because the other 500 and some members of the government voted yes to everything. Including the Dread Traitor Roberts.
Now the race is math versus envious wishes.
So what happens to Ryan's Congressional district? Can Ryan remain on that ballot or is he out?
Ryan will be on the ballot twice in November. If Romney were to win the presidency there would be a special election for Ryan's House seat.
Maybe I'm wrong but I think a lot of voters are going to see this as a race between Obama and Biden and a couple of white bread guys.
Notwithstanding the unfairness of those who would still support Obama.
Thanks, GM. That's a relief.
"Joe Biden just shit his pants."
Who wants to bet the media shrink, belittle, ignore, sweep under the rug, cut-off, run technical difficulties and minimize any Biden-Ryan debate(s).
Everyone knows Ryan would demolish both Obama and Joke Biden. And Ryan would do it with facts, kindness and calm. all while the left use tired deceit, lies, pettiness, and class war.
Not interested in that bet, April.
There's been a little talk of Obama dumping Biden. It wouldn't amaze me that Biden is in the Oval Office right now, asking to be relieved.
Bold and serious Paul Ryan voted for every budget busting bill under Bush. He even voted for the GM bailout. Visionary!
8/11/12 10:09 AM
Garage, I think some on the right may be a bit surprised that Ryan isn't the Tea Party type they may have preferred. Or are conservatives moving back toward the center?
Romney's selection of Ryan as VP reinforces the meme of Romney as pragmatic problem-solver. This was less a political calculation than it was a sober and thoughtful business decision. Romney knows that Ryan is the complete master of federal-level budget processes. Romney will draw strength from Ryan's expertise as it is applied to the selling of the Romney budget plan and Ryan will draw strength from Romney's business leadership which includes, among other things, the vision to create a comprehensive and measurable business plan as well as the understanding that he (Romney) will gladly get out of the way of a gifted and effective subordinate.
Of course, this is politics and not just business. Romney is more than aware of that (try and run a consulting business without paying close attention to your customer's internal politics)and will use Ryan's many connections in Washington and elsewhere to the advantage of the team. Even better for Romney, Ryan's appeal to his fellow politicians is based primarily on their respect for his knowledge and effectiveness. In public, the Democrats will deride Ryan for being a Republican hack. In private, the Democrats will be anxious as they will know that they will have to step-up their game.
Romney has re-set the "competence bar". Together, he and Ryan will look like the adults in the room. For independents, I believe that that is what has been missing to date. For those citizens who are concerned about the long-term viability of the Republic, who would not want to associate with competent, effective and thoughtful people like Romney/Ryan?
Oh, Wisconsin. The birthplace of so many ideas and people (did you know the Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin in 1854?)the state has now provided us with Paul Ryan.
On Wisconsin!
GM wrote: If Romney were to win the presidency there would be a special election for Ryan's House seat.
Since you guys loves elections so much that pretty much portends an RR victory.
Orig. Mike..
"There's been a little talk of Obama dumping Biden. It wouldn't amaze me that Biden is in the Oval Office right now, asking to be relieved."
I can hear it now. Biden would like to spend more time with his family.
Ahh, the memories when I was shocked in the early 90's by my co-worker, a person of color, who said she like Ronnie because everyone worked while he was president.
--Garage, I think some on the right may be a bit surprised that Ryan isn't the Tea Party type they may have preferred. Or are conservatives moving back toward the center?---
What's the center?
Via Insty:
IOWAHAWK: “Paul Ryan represents Obama’s most horrifying nightmare: math.”
Related: Paul Ryan needs to use @iowahawkblog’s line: “You know what will end Medicaid as we know it? Medicaid as we know it.”
Here is what is worrying me. Don't candidates tend to pick legislators that they want to neutralize as running mates? As VP, Ryan can be shut out of any policy decisions. He could not be shut out as a legislator. Maybe things have changed, but I am a little more worried now about our fiscal future under Romney. (Though still not as worried as I am under Obama.) Elections are always a choice between the lesser of two evils.
roesch/voltaire wrote:
As Bain destroys yet another American based business in Freeport, Ill. to send it to China, I think the debate on the economy and who can create jobs for America will be an interesting and welcome one.
Er, what is the unemployment rate again? How many people are out of work under obamanamics? There is very little evidence that Obama has or can acatually create jobs, and it wouldn't take a debate to gather the requisite data to prove it.
"So, is it true that Paul Ryan sleeps on a cot in his office and, unlike other pols with fancy DC cribs, goes home after every session?"
Yes, it's true. Be interesting to see how the left denigrates that.
I'm with Sheridan!!
This is all about the CEO picking the best CFO in politics. I'm so excited about the chance we'll see true PRO-COMMERCE folks in the # 1 & 2 seats! Silicon Valley heads here must realize this morning this is as close to their own we'll likely ever get. A fantastic day for hard working business people everywhere, in all strata, worldwide.
I would expect a big uptick on the Dow & NASDAC Monday AM.
Time to get down to bizzness and get these guys elected!
Jay wrote:
Interesting that you're willfully ignorant of the fact that a current Bain executive is one of Obama's top bundlers.
But you need that sweet, sweet cocoon of lies in order to get you through the day.
Agreed.
And of course, Lavine, Obama's bundler WAS at Bain when the steel plant shut down, whereas Romney wasn't. So I guess we can say taht Levine is a murderer?
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-campaign-fundraising-20120131,0,3306822.story
roesch/voltaire said...
Interesting the announcement was made in front of a decommissioned USS Wisconsin that is now a museum much like the philosophy embraced by Paul Ryan. As Bain destroys yet another American based business in Freeport, Ill. to send it to China, I think the debate on the economy and who can create jobs for America will be an interesting and welcome one.
You should maybe avoid talking about things economic, because it's obvious you have no idea what actually goes on.
But I've noticed you never let facts get in the way of your meme.
The Ryan pick somehow puts Althouse in the thick of the nation's political theater, again. Coincidence?
Ryan has got the star quality thing working for him. On a crowded stage, he's the one that the eye follows....The Democrats believe that conservatives believe what they believe because they are either stupid or evil. Reagan and Palin are gullible and stupid. Rove and Cheney are evil and brilliant.....Ryan certainly doesn't look like anyone's idea of a Bond villian, and I can't see anyone credibly charging him with stupidity......Well, they've already made Romney, whose bland morality is so off putting, out to be some kind of wife killer. I suppose they'll find some way to implicate Ryan in the Sandusky scandal or whatever. I really think, however, that Ryan has far more teflon in his surface than Romney.....There's something distant and unknowable about Romney. He's not unlikable exactly, but he's not the kind of guy you connect with. Ryan seems far more accessible and sincere. I'm sure that Ryan will be a better framing device for the Romney campaign than Palin was for McCain.
You called it, Althouse. Good job.
Few called this...
No doubt. It signals desperation and a never-ending need to corral and assuage his crazy base.
Er, what is the unemployment rate again? How many people are out of work under obamanamics?
jr hopes that this brilliant insight of his, that the president can somehow pass legislation without the agreement of the Republican-dominated House, will catch on!
Reagonomics vs. Socialism Lite.
The choice is certainly clear.
I prefer Reagonomics. I depend on businessmen who want to continue to invest in their businesses.
I go to them for a job.
As you would have done in the 1950s, when the liberal welfare state was in full swing.
So let me understand something.. Since cons idealize the 1950s as the perfect time-period to which they'd return if they had the chance, what was it that was so Republican about the era? It couldn't have been the economics and regulatory environment. Yes, we'd just won a huge war but that was under the leadership of a socialist liberal. And the conservative general turned president at the time was lecturing us on the perils of the "military-industrial complex" anyway.
I think that deep down, you're all just about the social issues. Society seemed more confined, restrictive, orderly and genteel, and that's what appeals to you most.
Let me know how that pitch resonates with the vox populi of the moderate-to-independent Republicans, Mr. Thomas. I'd like to understand how Randroidianism came to replace Reaganism, if it ever did.
I don't think it did. Reaganism was the cover for Randroidianism, the sheep in wolves' clothing. The public face for the privately held, anti-social beliefs.
Hooray! It is Romney / Ryan.
This is a serious, sober ticket -- as good as I could have hoped out of the possibilities available. I believe they are the ticket that Obama must fear the most.
Biden, of course, will look hopeless next to Ryan.
Obama's flashy campaign style has worn poorly in the face of almost no accomplishments and many failures. His only moves left are culture war and character smears. Out of the 2012 Republican field Romney's bland persona, unflappable style, and right-centrist position make him the most resistant to Obama.
Others have said it, Ann too, that the Obama campaign is in worse straits than advertised. I'm convinced that's the case as well.
In chess when you're losing, the best strategy often is to play provocatively, hoping to trick your opponent into error. If you succeed, it's called a "swindle."
Obama is playing for the swindle.
He just glares at her. It is exactly the look that Obama gives Ryan in that video. Obama wants his BMW
Amusing, wasn't that? At the very beginning, when Ryan began speaking, Obama sported the pursed lips, slightly narrowed eyes and impatient, terse nods every 1.5 seconds that indicate a person is barely controlling their irritation and desire to burst forth with a "Nuh unh! You're not the boss of me! You shut up!"
While at the same time Ryan looks energetic and passionate, but clear, relaxed and in control of himself.
Obama really does seem so childish and petty. I wish I understood what people see when they call him "likeable."
It will be nice to finally have a budget again once Obama is out and an adult takes his place.
Romney said his strong point was analyzing problems and coming up with ways to solve them. The Ryan pick proves that was more than just talk since he is the ONLY one with a plan to get us out of the mess the socialists have put us in. Yeah, it is a tepid plan that only moves us in the right direction without completely solving everything but it is the only thing on the table. Obama, bless his heart, admits he doesn't have a plan while at the same time saying he doesn't like Ryan's.
You can't find a less mature and less responsible person in the entire US than the one we have in the White House right now. The end of our descent into madness cannot come soon enough. No country survives the type of leadership we have now for very long. Get Romney in. Ask Roberts to step down as a signal the Court can't write its own legislation and move on towards sobriety.
And speaking of which, for God's sake someone lock Pelosi out of the liquor cabinet. I have a lot of sympathy for alcoholics but it doesn't extend to letting them write legislation to control 1/6 of the US economy.
The closing of the Freeport plant is a fact: Freeport's Director of Community Development Shelly Griswold said that "the workers here would really love for Mitt Romney to come to the community and talk with the people who are losing their jobs."
And it should be noted that the creation of 131.000 jobs per month, which is happening now, seems about average for most administrations--Romney's claim of creating 500,000 new jobs in a month is just a wild rhetorical claim.
I like Ryan and naturally, I really like his hard numbers crunching. They say this will energize the Conservatives, who have been all MEH about Romney to come out and vote.
It is about whether we will make a U turn and go back to fiscal solvency
DBQ -- I liked him too, originally, based on the good things that others were saying about him.
And then, I saw his actual budget plans.
I've posted those plans here four times now over the last week or so. And, about 700 comments later, despite multiple emphatic requests, there has not been one person willing to defend Ryan's published plan to spend $40 trillion over the next ten years, and taking 28 years to balance the budget. Ryan's actual plan not only completely repudiates the promise he made to go back to 2008 spending levels, but it essentially uses Obama's post-stimulus spending levels as his baseline (spending $3.6 trillion in FY2012).
But rather than even acknowledge Ryan's actual plan that he has put forth, people prefer to continue to push the spin and reputation about him.
It is spin and reputation which is not deserved based on the realities of what he advocates. Others may wish to continue to do so out of desperation to get rid of Obama, but I cannot play along, I cannot pretend that Ryan is something that his own plan shows him not to be. His plan is indefensible -- certainly I've found no one, here or elsewhere, willing to defend it, defend the actual plan that is, the actual numbers he advocates, rather than defending the spin about the plan. (And then there is his advocacy, as part of Boehner's leadership team, for passage of the debt limit extension.)
I had initially supported Ryan last year based on reputation and spin. I've seen the reality, and I have not liked what I saw.
"The closing of the Freeport plant is a fact:"
This is happening now? And you're blaming Romney, not Obama? The mind reels.
there has not been one person willing to defend Ryan's published plan to spend $40 trillion over the next ten years, and taking 28 years to balance the budget. Ryan's actual plan not only completely repudiates the promise he made to go back to 2008 spending levels, but it essentially uses Obama's post-stimulus spending levels as his baseline (spending $3.6 trillion in FY2012).
I agree. The plan is too little (i.e not enough cutting and not fast enough) BUT, you have to start somewhere. Trying to go on a starvation diet is a shock and rarely works in the long run.
Small steps in the beginning and once the economy begins to return from the Obama induced and RINO*** induced depression with more tax revenue coming in, we can speed up the process of austerity.
***See. I am fair and realistic. This debacle is not ALL Obama's fault. Much of it has been a long time coming with the incompetence, corruption and complicit actions of both sides and the refusal to deal with reality.
HOWEVER, I do blame Obama for make it much MUCH worse and doing it on purpose. I believe that Obama is an evil person who has set out to purposely divide the country, incite racial tension and drive us into an economic death spiral. I can only guess at his motives. The man is evil.
Prediction --
Obama and the Dems are going to come out and announce that they have a plan to balance the budget within 5-10 years.
It will be all BS, of course, but that's never stopped them before.
They will announce this plan to balance the budget within 5-10 years and then ATTACK Ryan's actual plan for taking three times longer to balance the budget. Obama and the Dems will present themselves as the fiscally responsible ones and use Ryan's own published numbers to bash him and Romney as pushing a plan for bankruptcy.
Again, that the Dems will have such a plan is complete BS, but Ryan's own plan sets him up for the fall.
And if Obama and the Dems do not come up with such a BS strategy, and Romney/Ryan attack the budget that Obama did send to Congress, Obama will simply point to Ryan's own plan, pointing out that Ryan wants to spend $40 trillion over the next ten years, such that the differences between the two spending levels are not that great. And electoral history has shown that, when presented with a choice of a Dem plan and a Dem-lite plan, voters will go with the real thing, i.e. they may as well vote for Obama.
This was a mistake by Romney. Rather than embrace Ryan, he should have said that the Ryan plan does not go far enough.
"The plan is too little (i.e not enough cutting and not fast enough) BUT, you have to start somewhere. Trying to go on a starvation diet is a shock and rarely works in the long run."
In addition, the Democrats will look foolish with their apocalypse rhetoric over a budget that balances in 2040.
"The closing of the Freeport plant is a fact"
So are the massive layoffs and contract non-renewals for just about every school district in California. Districts are now using the strategy of forcing older teachers to take early retirement, with LA, Orange, and San Bernardino forcing its most experienced and award winning teachers out of their jobs. Lawsuits are filed, but won't help in the short term.
Why do you hate teachers and children?
You were quite prescient, Madame, although I have to say I viewed Ryan as the most logical choice.
phx said...
Maybe I'm wrong but I think a lot of voters are going to see this as a race between Obama and Biden and a couple of white bread guys.
Ah, but nobody's as white a white guy as Choom.
Golf
Golf in shorts
Mom jeans
Bicycle helmet
Waygu steak
Arugula
He's more country club than the Bushes.
I just dropped by to say that when I heard it was Paul Ryan, the first thing I thought of was your April post. Good call, Ms. Thouse.
@phx,
Maybe I'm wrong but I think a lot of voters are going to see this as a race between Obama and Biden and a couple of white bread guys.
Racists can see this any way they want.
I'm with MLK, Jr: content of character matters, skin color doesn't.
Only a racist cares about skin color.
I see a couple of people didn't hesitate to go the white guy approach. Putting too much emphasis on skin color, type of genitalia, and gender of sexual partners rather than competence and sound fiscal policy is what got this country in the piss poor shape it is in. Wake up, dimwits.
I saw two ways to go. Non-white, to make a run at chipping off a small piece of the opponent's base, or Ryan to energize the Rebublican base. Which one would appeal more to independents I had no clue. That's a question for pros to answer. I hope Romney is signalling that he's decided to run straight at them and knock their teeth out if they can't stop him. Let's see if he's got it in him.
phx said...Maybe I'm wrong but I think a lot of voters are going to see this as a race between Obama and Biden and a couple of white bread guys.
Undoubtedly. I don't see the downside though. Racialists aren't going to be swayed from voting their party of inclusion anyway. Makes them feel superior and all that.
Romney's depending on the perspicuity of a different subset of the electorate who don't judge fitness for an office based on skin color. They use their heads and vote issues, character, and competency. A lot of those folks were deceived by a superficial construct in 2008. Romney's betting they won't be again and is giving them a clear and alternative ticket that is anything but superficial.
Damn, Ryan looks smug in that photo.
He looks like my cousin, only 12 years older.
I applaud this pick, for several reasons.
1) Ryan has already been viciously attacked for throwing grandmothers off a cliff. It would have been easy to skip over Ryan. Really, really easy. Many Republicans (including myself) have argued that Ryan should stay in the House, "where he can do the most good." But I daresay that we have been making a political calculation. Ryan is easy to attack. He has been the lead in the fight to attack Obamacare and fix Medicare. This potentially makes Ryan very unpopular. With this selection, Romney has skipped over the easy path, and gone into the lion's den. Bravo.
2) Rubio and Portman are two picks with huge political advantages. Rubio brings Florida. Portman brings Ohio. Instead of making a pick that would help him win the political race, Romney has picked somebody who would be a good President if Romney dies. Ryan is very wonky, very smart, very nice.
3) Ryan keeps the focus on the economy, on the budget, on the debt, on the welfare state. Immigration is an important issue. But Romney skips over the good feelings of Rubio's immigrant story--which is a fantastic story--and makes this election about the numbers, about the math, about how messed up our economy is, and how we have to fix it. Instead of a happy, and perhaps glib, Rubio pick that would give us all warm feelings, Romney went with a serious pick of a candidate who has already been demonized by liberals.
4) Most importantly, Romney has avoided the low-profile candidates (Portman and Pawlenty), and went with an independent nominee who has already made a big name for himself. This suggests to me that Romney has a lot of confidence. He is willing to hire people who are smarter than he is. Romney is also willing to overlook all the demonization that was done to Ryan. Indeed, I think a lot of Republicans wanted to avoid a Ryan pick because of a feeling that he was "damaged goods." But Romney has a history of finding great investments in damaged goods. Here he sees the brilliance in Ryan's proposals, and ignores the political attacks already made about Ryan.
Rubio was my first choice. But Ryan is a terrific nominee, and shows a seriousness of character that makes me really applaud Romney. Romney had high-minded criteria in his selection, and he stuck to it. I would have gone on the low road of taking Florida and winning the damn election. So Romney kinda shames me. Good for him. I'm excited by this pick.
I agree with Saint Croix; I thought Romney would play it safe. Instead, he's given us a stark choice for this election--the capitalist vs. the socialist. What country do Americans want? One with a future, or one without?
Nice Call Althouse!!
That is why we love the site!!
The Packerland Prognosticator!
roesch/voltaire said...
The closing of the Freeport plant is a fact: Freeport's Director of Community Development Shelly Griswold said that "the workers here would really love for Mitt Romney to come to the community and talk with the people who are losing their jobs."
And it should be noted that the creation of 131.000 jobs per month, which is happening now, seems about average for most administrations--Romney's claim of creating 500,000 new jobs in a month is just a wild rhetorical claim.
Please explain in as much detail as you like how Romney is involved in this.
I won't hold my breath.
And it should be noted that the creation of 131.000 jobs per month, which is happening now, seems about average for most administrations--Romney's claim of creating 500,000 new jobs in a month is just a wild rhetorical claim.
Not enough to really break even. We really need about twice that normally to keep up with population growth, and the 500k is what we should expect at this point in a recession.
If you want to tot up race in all four P/VP candidates, they are 7/8 white. Just saying.
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