Ryan's rise puts focus on record
Romney selects Ryan
Click here to view a special section on Paul Ryan, selected to be Republican candidate Mitt Romney's running mate in the 2012 presidential campaign.
MADISON — Rep. Paul Ryan's record runs deeper than his signature budget and Medicare ideas.
Mitt Romney's running mate is against abortion rights, has a top rating from gun-rights groups and backed sending troops to the wars. But in conflict with fellow Republicans, he's defended wage laws favored by unions. And he supported the auto industry bailout opposed by Romney and the bank bailout that the party's right flank now opposes.
Ryan's 14 years in Congress leave a long trail of votes for Democrats to pick apart, a process that began with gusto as Romney announced his choice Saturday.
Ryan's intense interest in fiscal issues—he holds a degree in economics and chairs the House Budget Committee—helps explain why those matters define him in Washington. But Ryan has always been a reliable vote on proposals dear to social conservatives, enough to earn him a perfect score from a key anti-abortion group back home.
This year, Republicans rallied behind his debt and deficit prescription to curtail federal spending on food stamps, Pell Grants for education and other programs. His debt-reduction proposal calls for cuts in personal and corporate tax rates, but also would pare back deductions and preferences that litter the tax code. So far, it has been little more than a GOP wish list that passed the Republican-led House but hasn't passed the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Ryan wants to fashion Medicare into a plan more like a 401(K), steering future retirees into private insurance plans, with a fixed payment from the government that may or may not cover as much of a retiree's costs as does the current program. It departs from the current "fee for service" framework in which the government pays doctor and hospital bills.
That's a marked shift in the social compact and not the only one he proposes. Ryan also wants to shift Medicaid to the states and sharply limit the growth of federal spending on that program. Medicare and Medicaid together reach some 100 million people.
His votes in Congress have gone against the grain at times. When Republicans have attempted to repeal federal wage protection laws for unions, Ryan has sided with Democrats in opposition. Even so, Ryan ardently campaigned for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who fended off a recall attempt spurred by state law changes cast as anti-union.
Ryan, whose district lost General Motors assembly plant a couple of years ago, supported the multi-billion dollar auto industry bailout started under then-Republican President George W. Bush and continued under President Barack Obama. Romney famously penned an opinion piece in 2008 with the headline, "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt," arguing automakers could have gone through a managed bankruptcy and re-emerged without such massive help from taxpayers.
But there's no question that his budget and Medicare plan stand among the boldest ideas in Washington and present the fattest target for Democrats. Mindful of such sensitivities, Romney campaign adviser Ed Gillespie emphasized Sunday that as president, Romney "would be putting forward his own budget" as much as he admires Ryan's, making clear the presidential hopeful is not wedded to his running mate's proposals.
In taking his place on the ticket, Ryan lamented a Washington culture of timidity on the pressing issues of the time.
"We're running out of time—and we can't afford four more years of this," Ryan said as Romney looked on. "Politicians from both parties have made empty promises which will soon become broken promises—with painful consequences—if we fail to act now."
Obama's campaign said Ryan's ideas were the potentially painful ones.
"In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy," said Obama campaign manager Jim Messina.
Ryan has taken thousands of recorded votes since coming to Congress in 1999, a minefield for any candidate let alone one aspiring to the White House.
Ryan also signed his name to 1,064 bills and resolutions over that span. Many deal with eye-glazing tax policy. Others aim to restrict abortion procedures. He's made a recurring push for line-item veto powers to restrain spending.
A number qualify as parochial measures. For instance, he's sponsored legislation to modify tax treatment of archery equipment and ease tariffs on motorcycle wheels, clearly a nod to Harley-Davidson Motor Co.'s Wisconsin base.
The local touches don't impress Ryan opponents, who say he's padded his national reputation at the expense of his district.
State Rep. Peter Barca, a Democratic former congressman from southeastern Wisconsin, criticized Ryan's record and proposals as inconsistent with the pulse of the area he represents.
"He's an articulate, good-looking guy," Barca said. "He'd talk like a moderate in Wisconsin but it wasn't until his last budget that people saw how extreme his views are."
Still, Ryan has won seven congressional elections, most handily. He has never run statewide, meaning the campaign to snatch the Wisconsin electoral votes that went to President Barack Obama last time will be a test of his appeal beyond his back yard.
RYAN'S STANDS ON THE ISSUES
A look at where Republican running mate Paul Ryan, a congressman from Wisconsin, stands on a selection of issues:
Budget: Ryan is the primary author of conservative tax and spending blueprints that Republicans on the House approved over Democratic opposition in 2011 and again in 2012. His plan would transform Medicare into a program in which future seniors would receive government checks that they could use to purchase health insurance. Other elements of the budget plan would cut projected spending for Medicaid, which provides health care for the poor, as well as food stamps, student loans and other social programs that Obama and Democrats have pledged to defend. In all, it projects spending cuts of $5.3 trillion over a decade, and would cut future projected deficits substantially. It also envisions a far-reaching overhaul of the tax code of the sort Romney has promised.
Medicare: He wants a plan more like a 401(K) that steers future retirees into private insurance plans with fixed payments from government that may or may not cover as much of their costs as does the current program. He would also gradually raise the eligibility age from the current 65 to 67. Ryan would turn Medicaid over to the states.
Guns: Ryan is outdoorsman who has a top rating from gun-rights groups. He voted to protect gun manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits stemming from misuse of the guns. He also voted to shorten gun-purchase waiting period from three days to one.
Abortion: The Catholic congressman is staunchly against abortion rights and backed by several anti-abortion groups. He co-sponsored the Sanctity of Human Life Act and Right to Life Act, which both say life begins at the moment of fertilization. He also co-sponsored a law that prohibits federal financing from being used for any health coverage that includes an abortion.
Social Security: Ryan has said poorer seniors should receive "more targeted assistance than those who have had ample opportunity to save for retirement" as part of the solution to the program's long-term insolvency. He's spoken favorably of proposals to grow benefits for wealthier retirees more slowly than for others. Ryan has also backed the idea, popular with Republican lawmakers, to let future retirees invest a portion of their Social Security contributions privately.
Gay rights: Ryan has voted against allowing same-sex couples to adopt, and opposed repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces. He has voted twice against hate crimes protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. And he's voted for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Aug 15, 2012 at 5:27 a.m.
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If that is your only rebuttal poobah, I rest my case about Democrats. Your fairy tale was that nobody liked Scott Walker, and how did that work out for you?
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:05 p.m.
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Wonderful fairy tale that ignores reality, Bowlgal. But then again, isn't that what fairy tales are supposed to do?
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:05 p.m.
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The left can spin this all they want. I voted mainly Democrat which included Obama in 2008 but still voted for Paul Ryan. I feel the rest of America will soon see why. He's won his district which included a Democrat President. The independents must like him in the district and so will the rest of America once they see what we have been so lucky to see.
I have also seen the Democrat party choose to go hard left and have no substance or positive record to run on. What we have seen in Wisconsin is a disgrace for the Democrats and they lost to Walker because people like me want to see results that fix the problem and not make it worse.
Paul Ryan, if put in as VP will help Mitt Romney do that.
Aug 14, 2012 at 6:43 p.m.
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Anyone else notice that Paul Ryan only started speaking out against government spending after President Obama took office? Under President W Bush Paul Ryan was all for government spending: wars, tax cuts, TARP, Medicare part D. Hell, he even voted for the auto bail out. What's up with your boy voting for the auto bailout, Mitt? I thought Detroit was supposed to go bankrupt.
Aug 14, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.
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Bounces mean little unless you can compare them to other bounces caused by a similar event. There's not much to compare Obama's OBL bounce with.
Let's check back in eight weeks or so, wislady, and see where things are with Ryan's ratings as compared to the numbers you just cited.
Aug 14, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.
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poobah
I guess the bounce Ryan got was a little better than the "dead cat" bounce Obama got after the Seals got bin laden.
Aug 14, 2012 at 6:14 p.m.
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wislady, I guess you missed the part where I said, "Favorable ratings typically peak just after the announcement and start sliding from there as their unfavorable ratings escalate." Just wait...
Aug 14, 2012 at 6:11 p.m.
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"2012, Ryan: 38% favorable 33% unfavorable"
(from the poobah poll link)
50% Now View Paul Ryan Favorably
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_c...
Aug 14, 2012 at 4:19 p.m.
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The numbers are in and Paul Ryan has the lowest post-announcement favorable rating and the highest post-announcement unfavorable rating of recent Vice Presidential candidates. Favorable ratings typically peak just after the announcement and start sliding from there as their unfavorable ratings escalate. Not good news for the Republican camp.
Vice-Presidential Candidate Favorability Ratings (PollingReport.com Averages) [ http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012... ]
Post-Announcement Historical Ratings
2000, Cheney: 41% favorable 14% unfavorable
2000, Lieberman: 45% favorable, 12% unfavorable
2004, Edwards: 46% favorable 21% unfavorable
2008, Biden: 48% favorable 25% unfavorable
2008, Palin: 44% favorable 24% unfavorable
2012, Ryan: 38% favorable 33% unfavorable
Aug 14, 2012 at 4:14 p.m.
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LibertyBelle, you apparently forgot to quote the next two paragraphs in the NY Times/CBS poll that you mentioned. I'm sure the failure to include those paragraphs that explain the possible low ratings was simply an oversight on your part.
"The poll includes a drop in Mr. Obama’s favorability ratings, with 36 percent saying they viewed him favorably and 48 percent saying they did not. In April, 42 percent expressed a favorable opinion of him and 45 percent an unfavorable one.
But that change may have been affected by a reordering of this particular set of questions, which at this point in general election cycles are typically placed near the top of the survey. During the primary season, the questions about favorability were placed lower on the survey after queries about presidential job approval and other topics." [ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/us/pol... ]
Aug 14, 2012 at 3:59 p.m.
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I agree with congressman Ryan on the money issues. I have mixed emotions on the gun issue. I can accept the right to own one, but believe there are many types of guns that have no useful/honest purpose. I disagree with his stance on abortion, but agree that federal funds should not be used to perform them (except the medical emergency , etc,etc thing). I do not agree with his gay rights stance fundamentally, but agree with hit realistically. I would propose that instead of deciding who can marry, take away the benefits of being married. Treat everyone as individuals. like we want to be anyways. what a concept eh?
Aug 14, 2012 at 3:45 p.m.
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Civil unrest's fuse is getting shorter and shorter. I know this was already posted, but aft6er reading some of the comments I think this needs to be re-posted so the lemmings have no excuse when they are eventually pushed off a cliff.
Aug 14, 2012 at 3:35 p.m.
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dustyd- Sad indeed, isn't it? The new Republican Party.
Aug 14, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.
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Buried deep in the latest NY Times/CBS poll (of registered voters, not likely voters) Obama now has a favorable rating of only 36% and an unfavorable rating of 48%.
Ohbummer can't run on his record.
As I heard today, voting for Obama is like cheering on the Captain of the Titanic to back up and hit the iceberg again.
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.
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day number 3, THE RYAN GAZETTE. zzzzzzzz...
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:26 p.m.
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“I give out ‘Atlas Shrugged’ (by Ayn Rand) as Christmas presents, and I make all my interns read it. Well… I try to make my interns read it.” -Paul Ryan
“The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand. And the fight we are in here, make no mistake about it, is a fight of individualism versus collectivism.” -Paul Ryan
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:23 p.m.
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analertcitizen: Paul Ryan has cited Ayn Rand as his greatest philosophical influence. He was huge follower until politics and, specifically, religious forces, caused him to publically disavow Rand when evangelicals began to dominate the right. He has since, however, stated that (in the Rand tradition) his ideology continues to be strictly one of individualism rather than collectivism.
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:10 p.m.
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It's clear poobah can't see that we laugh at the lengths the left go to when they are scared so let's move on to the records once again.
Paul Ryan saves medicare and Obama in his own words threatens to VETO any attempts to undo his 700 billion dollars of cuts to medicare.
It has now become about issues in this campaign that rattles Biden to the point of threatening to put blacks in chains and making fun of a deaf woman and giving a shout out to the wrong city.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/201...
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:07 p.m.
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yada - As foolish as Sarah P? That is laughable. Even Obama has praise for Ryan. He literally owned Obama during the budget debates and isn't in the position he is in because of his comparison to Sarah P. By the way, what has Obama done for the poor and minorities? What has he done for anyone during his term? I can't believe how many original voters I spoke to that will not vote for him again because of his lack of leadership and blame game. By the way, everyone knows you wouldn't vote for any Republican. Hence my earlier point in my post. Nobody his going to change someone else's mind on the big, bad Gazette boards.
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:07 p.m.
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"Anyone that votes for Romney or Obama needs their head examined."
--Eagle1
I completely agree.
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:04 p.m.
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50% Now View Paul Ryan Favorably; 43% Say He Was Right Choice
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_c...
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:59 p.m.
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@dustyd- You do realize that Ayn Rand was an avowed atheist who believed in helping no one, don't you? Her book " Atlas Shrugged" espouses the theory you just quoted and her philosophy is called Objectivism. Rand was a self absorbed woman out for herself and only herself. Is that what you think of Paul Ryan?
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:47 p.m.
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"Paul Ryan A NIGHTMARE For The Poor & Minorities"
http://www.eurweb.com/2012/08/paul-ryan-...
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:42 p.m.
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No way I would ever vote for Ryan - just as foolish as Sarah P..
"Ryan Gets LOW MARKS For VP Poll Says"
http://www.freep.com/article/20120813/NE...
"12 Things You Should Know About Vice Pres. Candidate Paul Ryan"(A BIG TIME follower of AYN RAND is mistake # 1)
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/0...
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:39 p.m.
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"Every man is an end in himself, not a means to the ends of others; he must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself; he must work for his rational self-interest, with the achievement of his own happiness as the highest moral purpose of his life."
-Ayn Rand
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.
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woody - And what Obama proposes is Socialism. Guess we need to meet in the middle somewhere.
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:33 p.m.
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Ezoner, obviously you're too busy criticizing all liberals for being lazy and ignorant while you are either too lazy or ignorant to verify the real truth of how to correctly spell "ridiculous". You have misspelled the same word in several posts. If you don't bother to take the time necessary to spell check a simple word like ridiculous, what are the chances you verify ANY information that comes your way. For example you have it backwards - conservatives can't think for themselves which is why Romney flip-flops and why Boehner must always check with Cantor before he issues public statements and why conservatives must sign a Grover Norquist pledge to receive backing. Not only do Liberals think for themselves, they also understand Ryan and his policies will only bring destruction to our economy and the middle class. You want facts - focus on Ryan's record - and use spell check or a dictionary.
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:21 p.m.
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LibertyBelle, I'm having a great laugh at how people could actually believe that Onion satirical piece was written by Paul Ryan! It helps to explain how those same people could believe what they hear on FOX News.
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:07 p.m.
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Paul Ryan's privatzation plan is the same as the Koch's had in the 80's and what Bush/Cheney had. It's crony capitalism.....
.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/14...
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:06 p.m.
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poobah - laugh a little will you. The Onion article is going around Facebook and the blog sites and we are all laughing at people like you.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:54 p.m.
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mjoseph - If you think you can trust Obama, I think you need to revaluate that situation.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:49 p.m.
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Such hypocrisy.
Paul Ryan hated Obama’s stimulus package and then turned around and got millions in grants for two Wisconsin conservation groups, reports the Boston Globe.
http://www.boston.com/politicalintellige...
You just can’t trust Paul Ryan, can ya?
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:44 p.m.
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Numbers don't jive with Ryans fuzzy math.
.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/...
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:34 p.m.
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Ezoner said, "The left seems to count on people being to busy to listen to more than a soundbite or a commercial, being ignorant (they only believe they have the ability to think), or are too lazy to check out what the real truth is."
You mean like citing a satirical article in The Onion, of all publications, and actually believing it was written by Paul Ryan? You've got to love those "engaged" conservatives who really dig into their news sources, don't you? Haha.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:28 p.m.
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2112 & MIdnight -- I agree with both of you. The left seems to count on people being to busy to listen to more than a soundbite or a commercial, being ignorant (they only believe they have the ability to think), or are too lazy to check out what the real truth is.
It's always amazing to me the number of misinformed people and when the far left continues to spew rediculous information and attempts to support it with biased data or out of context comments, you almost want to laugh.
I am hoping that more people are engaged this year and specifically in WI, based upon the recall effort.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:22 p.m.
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Not nearly as entertaining as someone thinking that Paul Ryan actually wrote that satirical piece in The Onion.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:18 p.m.
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poobah, joke must be on you then. We all know how scared the left is right now. It's very entertaining.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:17 p.m.
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mjoseph, yet not one named Republican in that story. Ryan wins independents in his district and the GOP is worried? But seriously folks, I'd like to see politico just once give us a real story of facts.
... Must be the same unknown Reid sources.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:13 p.m.
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Midnight_Ride, the Onion IS very left, very liberal, albeit self-deprecating at times. And their great sense of humor just caught another unsuspecting FOX News hound in their web of political satire. I love it.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.
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Wow poobah what a farout link welcome to yadas world
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:11 p.m.
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2112, good points indeed. I enter in to see just how much misinformation the left has. Most believe the propaganda and it's amusing when they repeat as if it's breaking news.
You are even seeing it with the news media, even the left media can't hide that ObamaTax guts medicare and Ryan's budget doesn't nothing to anyone 55 and over and give 54 and under an option to stay in or go shopping with a voucher when they turn 65.
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:06 p.m.
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Oh boy the liberal democraps are hard at work today scrambling to post leftist propaganda. Problem is, it seems to be the same three progressive nut jobs. Try as you may, the American people have had enough of hope and is time to change. Barry is out in November!
Aug 14, 2012 at 12:04 p.m.
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poobah, yes it was a joke. The left have no sense of humor.
Polifact is very Very good at headlines but can't hide the real facts when you dig deep in the article or do your own homework.
Aug 14, 2012 at 11:58 a.m.
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Here's the thing. No Democrat on here is going to sway a Republicans vote. No Republican is going to sway a Democrats vote. Independents will also make their own decisions. At the end of the day, it's just a bunch of arguing with the same outcome. I have never agreed with everything one President has done regardless of party sides. I voted for Clinton and I am a Republican. I did so because I thought he was the better man for the job. Not because someone swayed me to. I didn't agree with everything Bush did, but voted for him. I did not and will not vote for Obama because I think he is a horrible leader and his record speaks volumes.
Aug 14, 2012 at 11:52 a.m.
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'The latest Republican poster boy, congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, stole the media spotlight with a slash-to-the-bone budget proposal that Fox News heralded as the Magna Carta of fiscal responsibility in America. I lack the expertise to take on Rep. Ryan’s budget digit-for-digit, but I place considerable confidence in the opinion of the Times’ Paul Krugman, who won a Nobel Prize for Economics in 2008. “The proposal wasn’t serious at all,” Krugman wrote. “In fact, it was a sick joke. The only real things in it were savage cuts in aid to the needy and the uninsured, huge tax cuts for corporations and the rich, and Medicare privatization. All the alleged cost savings were pure fantasy.”
That sounds about par for the current Republican course, with fresh infusions of Tea Party belligerence and unreality. But what frightened me most about Rep. Ryan was the report that he is an avowed disciple of the writer/philosopher Ayn Rand, and has declared in public that Rand is “the reason I got involved in public service.”' From "The Alarming Revival of Ayn Rand: The Right's Weirdest Idol of Them All" by Hal Crowther [ http://beta.alternet.org/module/printver... ]
Aug 14, 2012 at 11:47 a.m.
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Anyone that votes for Romney or Obama needs their head examined.
Aug 14, 2012 at 11:35 a.m.
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Midnight_Ride said, 'Ryan has a great article on "THE ONION" that I won't link because Ryan writes "Admit it, I scare the ever-living .... out of you."'
I realize people have to be really, really gullible to believe what they hear from FOX News, but for someone to believe that the Onion article was actually written by Paul Ryan is even more humorous than the article itself! Haha, get a clue, it's political satire! It's The Onion!
Aug 14, 2012 at 11:03 a.m.
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Go to ryans website read his Roadmap, For those that like to quote liberal sites go the the frequently asked questions section and read the answers. You might be suprised at how much you get lied to. http://roadmap.republicans.budget.house....
Aug 14, 2012 at 10:31 a.m.
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2112- You provide biased personal comments, no proof. So what.
Aug 14, 2012 at 10:15 a.m.
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mjoseph - As apposed to the Obama plan which is do nothing and blame everyone else? By the way politifact is one of the most biased websites out there. They are part of the Tampa Bay Times. On another note, fully automatic assault weapons are already banned. Semi automatic is what a majority of hunting shotguns, etc are. Big difference.
Aug 14, 2012 at 10:10 a.m.
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The Romney-Ryan solutions for a better America!:
Obamacare- replace it but don’t know what to replace it with.
Medicare- destroy it but don’t know exactly what to replace it with.
Tax plan- raise middle-class tax burden, cut taxes on wealthy, but no specifics given, and plan is hocus-pocus according to independent
analysts.
Iran- bomb them if Israel wants us to, and our donor Sheldon Adelson gives approval.
Gun control-keep the assault weapons, and have one-day registration waiting period for urgent hunting needs.
Billionaires: take their millions now, help them later when get the job.
Romney-Ryan: Helping America’s rich get richer, while destroying the middle-class.
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:57 a.m.
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Even GOP leaders are now worried about Paul Ryann's choice as Republican VP. He will doom the Romney ticket.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/081...
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:55 a.m.
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Midnight Ride-
Perhaps you don’t know how to read.
Politifact, a nonpartisan watchdog that won the Pulitzer Prize, found that of the 14 statements that they analyzed:
4 were wrong
4 were half true
3 were true or mostly true
Go back and re-read the article and you might learn something
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
Notice, that Paul Ryan lies more than not.
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:51 a.m.
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westorbust,
The recession ended in June 2009-6 months into the obama term. Obama is not responsible for the global economy-so asking if the global economy will "turn around" under Romney isnt really fair is it? Obama himself said that people should judge him on his record-if voters judge him on his record-Obama likely will lose to Romney.
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
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westorbust - And in my eyes, I will be choosing the lesser of two evils by not voting for Obama.
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:29 a.m.
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woody - There is one thing and one thing only you are concerned about on these posts. The auto industry and the GM pipe dream. GM failed GM all on their own with some of the worst management from the top. No President is to blame. The taxpayer bailed out the auto industry because it was needed. GM's slap in the taxpayers face for this is to continue operations in Mexico while closing plants in the States. You want to be upset, be upset at GM. By the way, Bush played just as large as a role as Obama with the bailout. You might want to do some research.
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:15 a.m.
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Look, with either Romney/Ryan or Obama/Biden, things are not going to change much. Do you righties really think that if Romney gets elected the global economy will turn around? Get a little perspective.
Myself, I'm tired of choosing between two bad choices in elections, because that's what we usually get, but then that's life, choosing the lesser of two evils.
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:02 a.m.
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This election is about the economy.
Erskine Bowles: Ryan budget is "sensible...honest, serious"
http://youtu.be/dbzpuqWo6yU
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:53 a.m.
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"anything positive for the economy"
Your boy Rmoney would have let the american auto industry crash...that would have been good for the economy! But, of course, Rmoney made a ton of money struggling companies when at Bain so he LOVES crashing companies.
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:46 a.m.
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I recall reading many posts from a majority of the same posters below on how bad Walker was going to be defeated in the recall. Just a reminder on how that worked out. It's also laughable to me that any of you actually believe 4 more years of Obamas failure to do anything positive for the economy would be beneficial. You don't even have to agree with republican policies. But if you are simply voting because Obama is a democrat, not a good choice. The man has failed as a leader. Being a President as apposed to a leader...big difference.
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:40 a.m.
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Here is some facts about Paul Ryan's budget plan and how it affects you AND Romney. (romney's tax bracket would be only .82%) That's a tad bit less than you pay, isn't it?
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv51e6kJX...
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:26 a.m.
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The dirty facts about the home boy, Paul Ryan. You think you know who he is and how he voted?
You think he's for smaller government? Watch this...
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEp5yRVld...
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:09 a.m.
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99 FACTS on Romney...read before you vote.
http://thinkprogress.org/romney-facts/
12 FACTS on Ryan
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/0...
Aug 14, 2012 at 8:02 a.m.
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dustyd, I like living in the land of opportunity and not equal outcome. Do you have any cash you'd like to just hand over to me and avoid the government middleman?
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:59 a.m.
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mjoseph, Thank you for that link showing only one false from Ryan which I will again show polifact likes to hide the real truth deep in the article when it comes to Republicans. If you look at the Democrats, you get that immediately because they just can't fight the left's lies.
From the article on Ryan:
the fiscal year that was underway when Obama was inaugurated -- totaled $3.5 trillion.
budget experts suggested that we use CBO’s numbers instead.
CBO concluded that in fiscal year 2012 -- the current fiscal year -- the president’s budget proposal would increase federal outlays $3.7 trillion.
Polifact didn't bother to look at the increases from 2009, 2010, and 2011 combined debt Obama gave us now over 14 Trillion from the 3.5 trillion he inherited.
And they called Ryan the liar.
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.
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Every man for himself! Rich old people are on board, so pull up the ladder! Heartless idealogues to the rescue!
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:36 a.m.
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FACTS....something the Obama campaign lacks, regarding Medicare.
Paul Ryan The Path to Prosperity (Full Video)
http://youtu.be/IUCxDufMrGY
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:33 a.m.
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Paul, can you start telling the truth? Politifact, a nonpartisan watchdog and Pulitzer Prize winner, says that you often don't tell the truth.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/...
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:33 a.m.
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Fear, if your grandmother is 65, then you must be around 25. Surely you are young and healthy enough with few enough responsibilities of your own that you could step away from the party life long enough to help your grandmother with dementia negotiate those insurance companies? It's time this country got back to people helping people and contributing to their own selected causes instead of the government taking from the hard-working and just handing it off to people who have made poor choices so they don't fall down and go boom.
Aug 14, 2012 at 4:43 a.m.
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Fear for Dummer ideologs, you may try to attack me for my different views but it's like water off a duck. Paul Ryan scares the crap out of the left and all they have is to resort to rolling in the mud.
RAF The Ryan-Wyden budget does nothing to anyone 55 and older and who doesn't want choice? Do you want to pay $500.00 for an x-ray or $200.00. etc.
Ryan has a great article on "THE ONION" that I won't link because Ryan writes "Admit it, I scare the ever-living s...out of you"
it may not stay on this with the site staff.
But it is the truth. Ryan is no Palin or even Quayle and the left hates that.
Ryan is great with independents and the younger generation. He's got it all.
Aug 14, 2012 at 1:01 a.m.
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Fear...your rants are funny. You are actually the one believing all the Dems fearandrhetoric.
Geeze, maybe I should bring up Rev. Wright again. Or that Clinton Signed NAFTA which started the job erosion and Walmart boom. Keep drinking the Kool-aid. Peace
Aug 13, 2012 at 11:44 p.m.
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"I for one am not comfortable with the idea of my 65 year old Grandmther with dimensia "negotiating " with insurance companies over how much money they will try and steal from her."
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Yet there is no plan out there that has this. The fact the left still echos the same lies over and over, doesn't suddenly make them true.
Aug 13, 2012 at 9:56 p.m.
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""I should also point out that all Electorial maps, polls, and/or surveys are null and void per V.P. pick""
Yeah everyone is as "stimulated" as you are midnight, coast to coast by the Ryan pick. Close the books now, its over. You really need to put your emotions in check and understand the dynamics of how bad this decision is for the Rominee.
Aug 13, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
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And of course in your partisan rant Midnight you fail to tell anyone where Romney picks up states. Maybe WI, MAYBE. Not Minny that is wishful thinking at best. He needs BOTH Ohio AND FL to have a chance , please inform us of all the independants that this pick will sway. It might get conservatives on board a ticket that they dreaded not four short months ago, but this doesnt change minds? Gutted Medicare? FalsEE ACA makes an attempt to clean up Medicare , they very thing conservatives CLAIM they want!! Buut its not from their guys its from the Muslim Socialist president so we cant have that! You really are funny.
The fact of the matter is that most conservatives are just flaming hypocrites that hate Obama for obvious reasons, partisan and otherwise. The ACA or Obamacare as the ideologues like to call it was born at the HERITAGE foundation, a CONSERVATIVE think tank, designed to oppose Hillary Care!! Was it a Socialist Idea then? I actually happen to be freinds with a senior fellow at Heritage who is one of Romneys main advisors, and he cant deny it!! So you flip then you flop, then you flip again, all to realize that you hate to be a hater, period.
The Facts are Ryan wants to RAIISE retirement age, he also wants to turn Medicare into a fixed rate voucher system. I for one am not comfortable with the idea of my 65 year old Grandmther with dimensia "negotiating " with insurance companies over how much money they will try and steal from her. Next he wants SS to be like a 401k? Are you nuts? After what investment banks dod to the economy before , we should ALL trust them with our retirement? I lost over a hundred grand in that little oopsie, no way, never again. Tell the retirees in FL that you wanna privatize SS and Medicare , see how many votes you get. I would also like to point out that the guy that I know that works on Romneys economic advisory staff has told me over and over how great the outsourcing of jobs is and that its sound economic policy. I certainly hope they run on that pile of steamy crap. See how many Ohioans vote for these clowns.
Keep on telling yourself that this is a good choice. I admire Paul for his honesty, but they will lose this race because Ryan is a far right wing extremist and his positions on key issues will cost them in key states.
Aug 13, 2012 at 9:01 p.m.
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I should also point out that all Electorial maps, polls, and/or surveys are null and void per V.P. pick. Romney could have went safe and picked Rob Portman for example and numbers may not change that much. The American people are looking for solutions and are worried as we've just seen in Wisconsin. We will vote twice for a candidate like Walker who presents solutions and not smear and roll in the mud.
This Ryan choose was brilliant.
Aug 13, 2012 at 8:46 p.m.
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poobah, #1, Paul Ryan still won in a district that went Obama, Clinton, and even Kerry. He is a winner with independents and will help carry Wisconsin for that very reason as well as Michigan (Romney's home state) and possibly Minnesota causing your wishful thinking map to go belly up.
#2, Obama has already gutted Medicare and S.S. isn't too far behind. Now that Ryan has a national stage, liberals in the media can only withhold information from the viewers for so long.
http://www.ijreview.com/2012/08/12878-vi...
What the viewers didn't see from Obama's water carriers.
Aug 13, 2012 at 8:28 p.m.
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Midnight_Ride said, "Walker won and Wisconsin will go to Romney which takes down the numbers Obama needs to get to 270."
Projections already have Obama at 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206 and up in Wisconsin. Let's say the numbers don't hold in Wisconsin and Romney does take Wisconsin -- it's still 322 to 216, Obama in an electoral college landslide. [ http://core.talkingpointsmemo.com/electi... ]
By the way, that "brilliant" move that you think Romney made in picking Ryan has pretty much guaranteed he won't pick up the 29 electoral votes in retiree-rich, Social Security/Medicare-sensitive Florida.
Aug 13, 2012 at 8:09 p.m.
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yada, thanks for providing the links you have, particularly the one to the article about Ryan. I think most everyone already knew about the misdeeds and flip-flops of Romney, but the article about Ryan should shock many people; such as point #8 that documents the Ryan family ownership in land lease deals to companies that would directly benefit from Ryan's legislative proposals.
The twelve points are well-documented, some with video of Ryan himself validating the claims made about him. I guess that is what has conservatives so up in arms over the links you've provided. If they felt the documentation of the claims was so questionable that people wouldn't believe the claims, then they wouldn't be attacking the claims.
Aug 13, 2012 at 8:05 p.m.
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"..The was a brilliant move "
Hmmm....I remember the same being said about Palin 4 years ago.
We all know how that turned out....LOL
Aug 13, 2012 at 7 p.m.
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yada
Can't you find a website that is a little less left leaning than the Soros funded "ThinkProgress"?
Aug 13, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.
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Why would anyone bother to open a yada formally mouse link?
Yada, Walker won and Wisconsin will go to Romney which takes down the numbers Obama needs to get to 270.
...The was a brilliant move by Romney.
Aug 13, 2012 at 6:16 p.m.
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Curious why the left wing media never mentions the Ryan budget was co-authored with Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden and takes many ideas from Bill Clinton’s plan.
...Why did 60 minutes cut Ryan telling the public his own mother is receiving Medicare and S.S and this won't affect anyone 55 or over?
...It's dazzling the lengths the left go to deceive the American public.
Aug 13, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.
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Funny how an article like this never appeared for Obama four years ago. We're still painfully finding out just who he is.
Aug 13, 2012 at 5:52 p.m.
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Thank you yada for posting the videos that showed how incredibly rude the protestors were. They are their own worst enemies. Attendees were politely asked to hold questions for the end of the presentation. Videos clearly show that the Ryan opponents believe in rule by misbehavior and shouting. I had no idea just how rude they were until I viewed your posts.
Aug 13, 2012 at 5:37 p.m.
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It's 2012. It's sad that 'gay rights' are a topic and not a matter of fact. Being born gay does not make a person less of an American. Sad. Sad. Sad.
Aug 13, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.
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Yada...Wait until the "distractionists" start showing up here.
Aug 13, 2012 at 5:07 p.m.
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yada,
what a great unbiased piece? How many thinkprogressers hate america? Looks like all of them...and every one is a victim...that needs more govt to help save them....
Aug 13, 2012 at 4:37 p.m.
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"12 Things You Should Know About Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan"
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/0...
Aug 13, 2012 at 4:34 p.m.
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Well said my friend
Aug 13, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
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Thanks Yada. I've done my research and no, I won't be voting for Romney.
Aug 13, 2012 at 4:19 p.m.
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You may want to think again before you vote for Romney.
http://thinkprogress.org/romney-facts/
Aug 13, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.
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http://politicalgates.blogspot.com/2012/...
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