When Mitt Romney chose Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate Democrats rejoiced. They were sure that the elevation of the author of the Republican Congress budget plan that called for reform of entitlements like Medicare guaranteed the president’s re-election. They had already been planning to run hard against the Ryan budget no matter who was on the GOP ticket. But having Ryan as their piñata seemed like a dream come true.
But tonight at the Republican National Convention, as Ryan got his prime time spot accepting his nomination, the rest of the country began to understand why conservatives have been so devoted to him. Ryan’s speech was not merely well executed but an example of how he earned his reputation as the intellectual leader of his party. Even more important, he showed that he and the man at the top of the ticket plan to run on the reformist ideas that Democrats think work to their advantage. Far from shying away from the Obama campaign’s Mediscare tactics, they are ready to rumble on a platform aimed at saving entitlements against the status quo policies of the administration.
Ryan came across as he always has in his Congressional campaigns: as a likeable man who was capable of bold attacks as well as smart ideas. The Democrats may think they can demonize the congressman but anyone who saw this speech knows that is highly unlikely. Far from being the guy who pushes granny off the cliff in the Democrats’ attack ads, Ryan was appealing–not scary or extremist, as liberals allege. But even worse for the Democrats is Ryan’s ability to turn the tables on the president. Rather than playing defense on Medicare, the GOP veep candidate made it clear that the Republican approach will be to brand ObamaCare as the greatest threat to that program. Liberals may argue that the raid on Medicare to fund the health plan is not an issue, but given the unpopularity of the measure, this is a talking point that Republicans will drive home to their advantage this fall. Instead of weak point, Ryan’s reform ideas may turn out to be the GOP’s best selling point.
Coming as it did after Condoleezza Rice’s brilliant and inspiring address to the convention as well as another strong speech by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, there might have been some fear that Ryan couldn’t pull off a triumph this evening. But he did just that, mixing humor and sharp attacks on the president with touching evocations of the American dream. Ryan isn’t just a rising GOP star, this evening he showed that he is a major asset to Mitt Romney’s hopes of being elected president.
"But having Ryan as their [DemoKKK-rats] piñata seemed like a dream come true". They, however, forgot, or did not really understand, two things. First, this is the most incompetent and juvenile administration/campaign ever, even for a DemoKKK-ratic one; so their attacks on this "piñata" are bound to be flailing and as incompetent, as their economic plan. Second, this "piñata" fights back.
In my not too scientific poll, I can tell you the following with regards to The Ryan RNC speech:r n Tradional Left of Center, female, well educated, not inclined to vote for a Republican under any circumstances;r n response to The Ryan Speech: HIGHLY POSITIVE.r nr n Way to go, Congressman Paul Ryan. BRAVO.
Can hardly wait for the Biden/Ryan debate.
I'm a cynical guy. I've been around the political track too often, many times in defeat. After watching last night's major speakers, all I can say is: Martinez=WOW Rice-WOW WOW WOW nRyan=WOW WOW WOW ………………………to infinity!
Bet the dem's didn't think a lowly congressman from WISCONSIN—of all places—could smack down their big BO & call him out on his theft of billions of $$'s from the old folks, ya know the one's the dem's think are in their back pockets. n nRyan is the dem's worst nightmare 'cause he's going after them on every front, something the lib's can't abide; illusion, mis-direct & subterfuge is the dem's MO, and now BO has no one's skirts to hide behind. BO's being called out to fight like a man, rather than a little girl hiding behind the 'children' & the 'elderly'. n nBuckle your seat belts, lib's, 'cause it's going to be a bumby ride. n n
Problem is, Ryan is the bottom half of the ticket. Are we really going to run a campaign where we ask Americans to vote for our Vice Presidential candidate during a Presidential election?
You mean GOP ready to PANDER on Medicare. Pander to their base(over55s) by not asking for any sacrifice from them. No sacrifice to pay a little more so their children & grandchildren won't be socked with an annual $6500 bill when they retire. Sure, it's easy to PANDER to the POWERFUL and that's what Paul Ryan did last night. Ask all of the sacrifice from under55s an none from over55s.
who the heck do you think bears the burden of Obamas spending spree? nThat anyone supports him is the real mystery
Romney is being portrayed as a corporate raider who used the tax deductibility of interest to borrow money cheaply and run companies into the ground. Corporate reiders are held in very low regard and not deserving of their success. If he can deflect this charge believably, he and Ryan have an excellent chance of victory, in my opinion.
This Romney-Ryan team seem more and more like cheap suits. They really don't not have much to say. The speech tonight by Romney was basically a rehash of what has been said by others during the campaign. "Land of Opportunity", "Getting America strong again", "We deserve better", "the promise of America". These are just cheap slogans. It almost makes you want to see another Bush back from the Republicans. At least George W. was obviously not smart enough to do any better.
Hope and Change
What about the 50 million Americans without health care? Obama is stealing from Medicare? That is a crock. If you are not all about "business," this guy Romney does not have time for you. No compassion. No depth. The guy reminds me of Haldeman in the Nixon administration, the one they called the automaton, or something like that. I just do not see him beating Obama at this point. I'm not even sure that he deserves to be in the same ring. A problem I can see now is that the Obama campaign may start to get a bit lazy. I just do not see the intellect on the other side. I see ideology, but that is easy to counter. Romney seems as boring as a board. Does that really appeal to anyone as a President?
I totally agree, but I was talking about the negative perception of him as he is being portrayed by the Democrats. You are preaching to the choir here.