The Drink Mitt Had To Take

Mitt Romney's decision to select Wisconsin Represntative Paul Ryan, loyal Randian and privitization advocate, as his running mate was a choice that while seeming to be a risk, may have been a required one.

Much like John McCain in 2008, Romney found himself lacking the trust of the GOP's "base". In his case, it was likely more the plutrocratic wing that has swallowed the tea that the Kochs, ALEC, etc have fed a segment of the masses through their media mouthpieces like Beck and Limbaugh. To chose someone who's adopted the same ecomonic philsophy of cutting taxes on the "%1" by cutting services to the "%99" is a way to reach out to them. He also may see a need to show the corporate leaders that are bankrolling his and other GOP campaigns that he is with them.

This would seem to be unnecessary though, as all through the campaign, Romney has shown himself to be a man from, of, by and for the "%1". The selection of Ryan only seems to solidify this.

It is good to see that this bone that Romney threw to the rabid dogs of the Tea Party has also provided a lot of meat for the voices of the "%99". I have read many articles pointing out how this shows how much the GOP relies on the "%1" and how far the party has shfited to the side of the plutrocrats.

This makes the response an easy one. Frame the election as a contrast between the people and the powerful. The party of the CEO versus the party of the people.

Of course, one thing I've observed with many right-wing movements is their ability to convince people to vote against their economic interests.