Paul Ryan as V.P.

1. 60

   Nick Hanlonposted 11 years ago

   What do you think of Paul Ryan and his nomination for V.P. on the Republican ticket?

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      habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't like it. I wanted Romney to choose someone more moderate.

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      Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      he is a social Darwinist, that really scares me, I think Habee and pretty Panther might be right, tactically it was the wrong move, Romney already has the far right with him because they want anyone but Obama, he should be appealing to moderates.

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         habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         My thinking, exactly. One thing I like about Romney is that he governed pretty much as a moderate, which is why the TP never embraced him. I see this as a move to get the TPers on board. That's not going to help him win the election, IMO.
         
         Romney could have appealed to indies, but I'm afraid a far-right VP will lose that group.

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         Nick Hanlonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         josak....I thought Ryan was a roman catholic....you know,the religion that holds all life to be sacred.

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            Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            He is an Ayn Rand fan, the quintessential social Darwinist. You may have heard that the US catholic church has repeatedly distanced itself from him and several major figures in it have said that Ryan embodies to opposite of the message of Christ.

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               Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               

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               Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Ryan is described as a "devout Roman Catholic."
               However, simply aligning on one issue (anti-abortion) does not make him or anyone a Catholic.
               
               BTW, Biden's Catholic.
               Haven't heard the Church denouncing him!

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                  umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  http://www.catholicity.com/commentary/carlin/04362.html
                  
                  http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/03/pro- … with-pope/
                  
                  http://www.time.com/time/politics/artic … 65,00.html
                  
                  http://blog.beliefnet.com/godometer/200 … biden.html
                  
                  http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2 … tion_N.htm
                  
                  http://www.tldm.org/News12/ScrantonBish … oBiden.htm
                  
                  Biden has a long standing and very difficult relationship with the entire Catholic church from conservative Catholics, to his local bishop, his home town bishop, the USCCB and the Pope.  This is just a small list of articles, spanning many years, that have been written about Joe Biden and his difficulty with Catholic teaching.

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      3. 69

         Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yes. And he's very articulate and convincing to people who don't know any better.

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      rhamsonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know if it is a bad move on Romney's part. He can create a huge diversion and throw the whole debate back onto the economy where Obama is vulnerable. This gets the heat off the Bain Capital controversy and the withheld tax returns and his foreign relations debacle in Europe. Ryan is a savy politician that has sold his plan to many and makes a good argument defending it. He might have some legs with this move.

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      umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I would have prefered Marco rubio but Ryan was my number two choice.  I think it helps Romney remove the last vesitiges of "moderate" from his campaign.  Moderate Republicans lose - Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, John McCain are proof.  George W. Bush had to run as a conservative and required Dick Cheney to convince some hold outs.
      
        McCain was a liberal-to-moderate Republican and well known as such.  he didn't stand a chance until Palin energized his campaign,  McCain's indecision during the banking crisis and his smooching Obama's behind turned conservatives away from the polls.  Romney is more conservative than McCain and naming Ryan as VP cements his support among conservatives.  That means more money and more realiable votes. There should be a bump in the polls before the convention and once Ryan speaks at the convention there will be even more confidence in him as a VP candidate.
      
      Ryan is brilliant and a brilliant choice.

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   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   I think the Romney camp just sealed the victory for Obama.

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      habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, PP.

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      rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Definitely.  What are they thinking? It will certainly have an impact on the Independents, Ryan is much too conservative.

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         PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I don't know what they are thinking.  I'm watching Fox News right now.  They're spinning it as a bold choice that will provide a jolt of enthusiasm from the base. They're speculating Ryan will play the attack dog and go after Obama while Romney provides the "vision."  Also, they believe it will swing the conversation back to the budget deficit since Ryan has been so visible in that debate.

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3. 87

   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   PP, if that's their line of thinking, they're crazier than I thought.  The conversation needs to be on the issues.  Attacking each other does not win votes.  I look forward to the Presidential debates. 
   
   I hope it does swing back to Ryan's extreme budget proposal.  It will give Obama a clean sweep with those approaching retirement and they are a large segment of voters.
   
   HA, their new slogan.  Vulture/Voucher 2012!

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      American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I hope it does come down to the Ryan budget proposal, I look forward to comparing it to the Democrat budget proposal. Oh wait, they do not have one.

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         umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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            Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Just horribly wrong... do you not check things?

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               umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               ++++++++++++++++++++++

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         Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         What are you on about? of course the Democrats have a budget proposal it didn't pass the Senate last year...
         
         And a new one for this year: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2ch … _blog.html
         
         totally false... then someone +++++++ something totally false... wonderful.

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         Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         For both of you here is the Democrat budget summary for 2012-2013.
         
         http://democrats.budget.house.gov/sites … mary_3.pdf
         
         Try actually checking the facts in future... it's depressing when you don't.

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            umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            +++++++++++++++++++++

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            American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            It is depressing when someone does not understand how Washington works. Do you understand what a proposal is? Currently, there is no Democrat proposal before Congress. There was a proposal the recieve ZERO ZIP NANDA Votes, not ONE Democrat voted for it, 0-535, So the motion failed and therefore there is no proposal since it was defeated. The Ryan budget is sitting the the Senate because the Democrats are obstructing it to be brought to the floor for debate. All I have to say is if it the Ryan budget is so bad, why are the Democrats afraid to bring it to the floor and vote on it?
            So as I said, I look forward to the budget discussion since the Dems do not have one.

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               Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               *facepalm*
               
               Yes there was a budget that received no votes, then there was another one which was defeated in the Senate by about 15 votes, then there is one being introduced now, a budget plan does not need to pass the houses to be considered a budget otherwise obviously the Ryan plan is also not a  budget plan.

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                  American Viewposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Really, please cite the budget that the Dems put forward that almost passed and the mysterious one that is introduced now.
                  
                  DO I really have to explain to you how a budget needs to pass both the house and the Senate? Hence why Ryan's passed the house and is sitting in the Senate and is waiting, or should we be honest, obstructed.

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                     Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     

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                     Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/vo … enate/1/37
                     
                     that is the one defeated in the Senate, the one for 2012 - 13 is already linked above.
                     
                     Yes and the democrat budget was obstructed too by the Republicans, neither side can pass a budget. But both have a budget plan and you compare them whenever you like.

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               Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               

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                  Ralph Deedsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Grover is the very personification of evil.

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4. 55

   prettydarkhorseposted 11 years ago

   I think it all boils down to who can struck a chord at the masses, budget structures discussions wont do it, showing genuine concern at the debates and speeches will do it! Masses - middle class and those at the lower income bracket!
   Romney and Ryan are elites - that is how they are perceived!
   Market segmentation - women, youth and middle to lower income classes will still vote for Obama!
   And the elderly to near elderly - depends about what they can perceive they can get from the Ryan budget proposal.
   
   I do not think it is a good choice.

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5. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   Anyone else watching right now? The music, the unshaven look, no tie, hair a little askew, obligatory flag lapel pin.  All of it calculated, or just some of it?

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      rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Calculated, I'm sure.  It's a dangerous, political move.
      
      Ready on Day 1 to be President of the United States? 
      
      I'm sure Granny off the Cliff will get a huge surge of YouTube views this weekend.

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6. 60

   Nick Hanlonposted 11 years ago

   Well if you vote as if Uncle Sam owes you some then I gotta say that that's the end of the section.

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7. 76

   Reality Bytesposted 11 years ago

   I would prefer Ryan/Romney, overall good choice, perhaps we can bring the discussion back to policy instead of mudslinging.

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8. 60

   Chris Daneposted 11 years ago

   Ryan's plan cuts 4 million jobs from the public sector, which is disastrous for Romney's campaign promise of 12 million new jobs. Furthermore, his plan increases spending 13% over five years. This combined with Romney's proposed unfunded tax cuts will double down on the deficit and make Obama look like Uncle Scrooge. Paul Ryan is not a true fiscal conservative.

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      umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Cutting public sector jobs will increase private sector employment because public sector employment merely transfers capital and labor from the productive, private economy and regions, job sectors and economic sectors where they are needed to the public sector which is separate from the natural forces of economic demand and measures success solely by political rewards.  There is pent up capital, physical assets, labor and consumer demand waiting for Obama's exit.  It is likely that Romney's election will produce more than 12 million jobs in the first 4 years.

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9. 81

   WillStarrposted 11 years ago

   "The conversation needs to be on the issues."
   
   And that's where Ryan will take it.
   
   So far, we have been treated to a series of attack ads by Obama, creating controversy that takes our attention off Obama's horrible record.

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10. 52

    Mister Rosebudposted 11 years ago

    I think it's a great choice. He's young, has a beautiful family and seems to understand our problems.  For sure he's one of the brightest persons in Washington.

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11. 59

    JSChamsposted 11 years ago

    Reading all this hysteria makes me curious as to who those who are freaking out think "should" have been chosen?

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       PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hysteria?  LOL
       
       Democrats are happy with Romney's choice.

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          JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          You could have fooled me....

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12. 0

    PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

    My Republican husband's reaction to Romney's VP pick:  "That's Bull$h!t!"

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       Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That would be my reaction too, as it is I am pleased that it increases Obama's chances but displeased that if the Obama campaign screws up horribly we are one heart attack/car accident etc. away from having our worst president, certainly in modern history.

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13. 92

    habeeposted 11 years ago

    I'm not "freaking out." I'm just disappointed. I prefer the old GOP - not the TP version. I don't disagree with everything about the TP, but I'm more of a moderate. I'm afraid Ryan will alienate moderates.

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       JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You prefer the GOP that talks trash on the Senate floor against the opposing party and then wines and dines with the same guys at night?
       That's called status quo and it is why we are where we are.

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          Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I absolutely prefer politicians who are not idiots, being able to sit down with and be friends with people from the other side is a mark of maturity, what do you call someone who won't have friends from the other side? You call them a fanatic, I have plenty of friends from the other side and anyone who is incapable of separating politics and person hood is probably unfit to lead anyone. Throughout the history of healthy democracies people on opposite sides in leadership disagreed strongly politically but did not make it personal, hell yes that is better.
          
          Tea party members who won't associate with the opposition are immature and probably hateful and the fact you support that is pretty sad. (same goes for people on the other side)

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             PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             ++++

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             JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Nope....you misunderstand.
             It's about saying one thing and doing another entirely. It's about a game that has been played for far too long. It's about not actually caring about the people who are your employers but about maintaining  your position so you can keep having surf and turf together.
             It's about not caring what is in a bill as long as your party or good friend put it forth you will vote for it.
             It's about thinking you are the boss and not the people. That's what the status quo is right now.

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             JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             The use of that term"hateful" is most always out of context. It is a tactic.

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       umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You mean the losers GOP of Ford, Dole, McCain?

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14. 61

    careyrowlandposted 11 years ago

    Mr. Romney's choice of Mr. Ryan is evidence that Republicans can and should be serious about converting our economy back to private-sector productivity and innovation instead of government dependency and bureaucracy. Mr. Romney is off to a good start with his first major appointment. May there be many more like Mr. Ryan

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    screamingposted 11 years ago

    The United States Conference of Catholic Biships said Ryans plan would take away benefits from the poor. Described by the Bishops as contrary to church teachings. More evidence that Romney is out of touch with the middle class and the poor!

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       Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That's too bad. I would have thought Ryan's recent switch of idols from Ayn Rand to Thomas Aquinas would have swayed the Catholic vote.
       Sounds like a "not so much."

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16. 60

    BobbiRantposted 11 years ago

    So Ryan wants what?  Kill the elderly, they simply get starved into oblivion?  Stop those 'evil' women from being healthy?  Stop those 'evil' poor children from being healthy?  Sort of a cruel task master to say the least.  If people do not vote Against this team with everything they got, well they will Lose just that: Everything they got!  They get rid of unions to put poor children back to work as slaved like the Industrial Revolution?  Sad state America has placed itself in.  Destroying the middle class is the answer?

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    WillStarrposted 11 years ago

    "So Ryan wants what?  Kill the elderly, they simply get starved into oblivion?  Stop those 'evil' women from being healthy?  Stop those 'evil' poor children from being healthy?  Sort of a cruel task master to say the least.  If people do not vote Against this team with everything they got, well they will Lose just that: Everything they got!  They get rid of unions to put poor children back to work as slaved like the Industrial Revolution?  Sad state America has placed itself in.  Destroying the middle class is the answer?"
    
    
    
    (sigh)
    
    It really bothers me that anyone would even make such baseless accusations, much less actually believe that sort of thing and want others to believe it too.
    
    Wow.

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       Nick Hanlonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Willstarr...finally I agree with you.People have been talking out of their rear end when it come sto Ryan when all the man is trying to do is balance the budget for the best long term prospects of the U.S.yes,there will be pain in the short term but America is so far in the jam it's not even joking about.....

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18. 61

    Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years ago

    Here's what I think . . .
    
    

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    JSChamsposted 11 years ago

    Well what about this?
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbzpuqWo … r_embedded
    
    
    
    
    Hmmmmmm?

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       JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Boy everyone sure worked hard ignoring THIS!!!!!!

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          Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          It was quite easy because that was a two minute endorsement at a redneck university by a hack of a hack.

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             JSChamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Former Clinton chief of staff is a hack now huh?

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                Wizard Of Whimsyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                That was a hatchet job that came from his bruised and oversized ego, JS.  Bowles was resentful that Obama decided to abandon the Bowles/Simpson Report and let Ryan (who was about to become the House Budget Chairman) submit his plan first.
                
                You obviously can't see how petty Bowles was and still is.

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             umbertoobrianposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Simpson-Bowles isn't that the holy grail?  He was part of the great save the country from the credit down grade Commission appointed by Obama.  It is the Weiden-Ryan Plan anyway - a good bi-partisan bill - holy again.

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