Romney picks Paul Ryan as vice presidential running mate

[Honeycombe8]

Source: nbcnews

Mitt Romney's campaign has announced that the presumptive GOP nominee has chosen House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate. The two candidates will appear together at a campaign event in Norfolk, VA Saturday morning.

The announcement will be in front of the U.S.S. Wisconsin -- which just happens to be Ryan's home state.

The Romney campaign billed the ticket "America's comeback team" in the release announcing the decision, saying that Ryan "has worked tirelessly leading the effort to reign in federal spending and increase accountability to taxpayers."


Read more: http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/10/13226315-romney-picks-paul-ryan-as-vice-presidential-running-mate?lite

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My first thoughts are varied:



Scared because it does energize the Republican base, judging from comments on cspan. Scared because that scary guy would get into the W.H. if Romney wins.

OTOH, what does it say that the No. 2 guy on the ticket is the one that the other side really wants to be No. 1 on the ticket? Kinda makes my heart bleed for poor Romney. No one wants HIM. But they might vote for his running mate.

On the third hand, does a VP pick really matter that much? I don't think so.

On the fourth hand, ANOTHER Republican ticket with two good lookin' wealthy white guys? Seriously?

[Berlum]

1. "Comeback" to the inglorious days of Republican Rule

Or go "Forward" with a Democratic Administration?

[MADem]

2. Ryan is a target rich environment.

Stupid pick on a really stupid day. He's lost half the weekend talk time...unless he doesn't WANT people talking about the guy...???

[Honeycombe8]

6. I was wondering about the timing. So the political talk shows won't crucify them before the news...

has a chance to get out, their way? I don't know. Usually the weekend is when you break bad news, not good news.

[MADem]

9. And the Olympics is wrapping up...it's like they're trying to hide the guy!

Makes no frigging sense!

[Cosmocat]

18. That is the other thing

Saturday?

Really?

They DESPERATELY need to get a few news cycles.

Why not hold off until Monday?

[MADem]

72. I think they are trying to pull a Palin-like surprise...but it's not cutting it. We knew about

this idiot for a long while--some gasbag in the GOP sewer had to blab!

[LibDemAlways]

77. Not just Saturday, but Saturday at 9AM on the East Coast when

the majority of voters in other time zones are still asleep. WTF?

[Cosmocat]

86. seriously ...

they might as well have done it at midnight ...

[Martin Eden]

23. Ryan equates Ayn Rand with Morality in this video

He says we're living in one of her novels right now.

[MADem]

74. That'll go over big with the Catholics!!

It's priceless!

[RebelOne]

91. Yeah, especially since she was an atheist. n/t

[MADem]

99. He's already pissed off the "Blessed are the poor" crowd...

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/03/21/448820/faith-leaders-blast-house-gop-budget/

[cyberpj]

43. He'll get on all the heavily Conservative Sunday Morning talk shows thoough and avoid the

initial attacks from weeknight progressive and liberal political shows. That was my first thought anyway.

[Iggy]

3. WAIT.. This is Beautiful.. Obama is a Lock Now

Paul Ryan is the exact arsehole Obama/Biden have been hoping for.

He's hideous.. more so than even Rmoney himself.

This is perfect- because we've already seen people in our nation- who actually
have a moral compass, attack and deride Ryan's budget meat cleaver which
(hopes) to decimate the social safety net. Really? are ALL repugs in congress on
board with this?

doubtful.

so now Obama's job just got much easier... we citizens who actually have a soul/heart
are going to smack Ryan's absurd "budget" down severely.

it's a win for Obama.

[Honeycombe8]

8. I thought about this after I posted. The pick ALSO energizes the Democratic base.

But will it shift the focus from Romney's Bain past and tax returns, to all about Ryan and his budget?

But hopefully Ryan will energize the Democrats AND the seniors, who are reliable voters. Ryan wants to end Medicare! The golden egg, to seniors, including my far right Dad.

BUT...I think Ryan's plan would leave Medicare as it is for those over a certain age, so they'd be safe.

[Iggy]

10. The New Meme is even more powerful

the wealthy class wants Obama off the Bain meme anyway.

this is better, WAY better.

Ryan looks and acts like an arrogant bully. he's hideous; I'm serious.

yes, this ignites the Dem base-- like nothing else would-- when Rmoney/Ryan
start waving that cruel budget around in the air, watch what happens.

severe smackdown.

oh sure, the usual cold hearted bastard reich wing will make lots of noise.
but the wave of protest against this crap will be massive.

[Cosmocat]

19. For better of for worse - GAME ON

Romney just put ALL their cards on the table and this election just got FOR REAL.

Time for the people of this country to wake the fuck up and pay attention to the republican vision.

[Iggy]

33. YEP, but this was very predictable

Rmoney thinks he can make hay w/ the deficit/debt hysteria.. that's one reason
he picked meat cleaver-wielding Ryan.

he's wrong. the economy stinks... you can't take the meat cleaver to the social
safety net-- all while of course leaving the obscenely bloated military budget--
and other sacred cows untouched.

ain't gonna fly with the "regular" people. forget it

[Honeycombe8]

32. Well, that's MY reaction. I hope it's the reaction of most others. nt

[ewagner]

15. did you notice...

even the Catholic Church is attacking Ryan's budget plan?

We've wanted to run against Ryan's plan anyway...

[ewagner]

30. Heh....in front of a BATTLESHIP?

Exactly what century are these guys living in?

[TrumanKilldPatton]

102. a very historic battleship...

I've seen it before

[Iggy]

60. Yes, I noticed

in spite of the serious problems the Catholic church has.. they have a lot of people
in the trenches really helping the poor.. and God bless em for that.

so they are very aware of our poverty problem.. and that taking the meat cleaver
approach to the social safety net is totally the wrong thing to do.

let's hope they continue to push back against this obv cruelty

[90-percent]

29. Nun's on the bus

Iggy said: "This is perfect- because we've already seen people in our nation- who actually
have a moral compass, attack and deride Ryan's budget meat cleaver which
(hopes) to decimate the social safety net. Really? are ALL repugs in congress on
board with this? "

When you get a busload of angry nuns driving all over America expressly to protest your budget, you have got some political liabilities!

I took the meaning of their tour to be; "Mr. Ryan, your budget plan is against much of what Jesus stood for."

There wasn't much "I got mine and screw you" in the teachings of Jesus.

-90% jimmy

[INdemo]

52. It certainly would seem that way but remember there is over a billion dollars

waiting to be spent in negative ads and promotional ads for Rmoney...And yes it would seem like an easy win for the Obama ticket but remember Walker was elected twice..something Democrats did not expect and perhaps thought the recall would have been an easy victory too.

[Coyotl]

65. OBAMA on Ryan: "a plan ... spending a trillion dollars on tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires

Obama reacted to the Ryan budget as follows:

"a plan that claims to reduce the deficit by spending a trillion dollars on tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires"

This is going to be a very easy sell: "Save Social Security, Vote Democratic."

[SmittynMo]

4. OMG. Rmoney really IS that stupid!!!!

This should pretty much do it for Rmoney. If people think Rmoney is going to pick up more voters by selecting a candidate that supports trashing Medicare, think again. I can't wait to see the numbers drop.

[Iggy]

88. Rmoney is TOAST

willard may have just lost FL with this move.

he's dumb as a fencepost.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. CEO CHOOSES NUMBERS GUY

It's now an ideological fight about the role of government and taxes.

Mitt you are such a loser. You could have had any number of respected
moderates, and you choose the flamethrower.

Mitt? Mutt.

[McCamy Taylor]

7. There goes Medicare!

The press tried so hard to ignore Paul Ryan's two attempts to murder Medicare. The Wa Po even tried to sell the Big Lie that Obama wanted to chainsaw massacre the program. Now, Death to Medicare is going to be the official GOP policy. Hope they choke on it.

[SmittynMo]

13. Medicare will be fine

This should be the final nail in the coffin.

[Panasonic]

16. And may even lead to SPHC that we've been demanding for decades...

You know, finally cut off the middemen that decides between if you need this life-saving transplant, or the stockholders need extra cash..

It's time.

Way past time.

[riverwalker]

11. that backdrop

of USS Wisconsin with the big Romney banner hanging down looks like when W did his "Mission Accomplished".

[zellie]

12. " Gov. Romney, so you support your VP

plan to destroy Medicare as we know it and replace it with a coupon system?"

"seriously"?

[zellie]

17. "Gov Romney , your vp has stated that

Romneycare has been an absolute failure in Mass. Do you agree with him?"

[zellie]

21. "Gov Romney, the US Conf. Of Cathoic Bishops

have denounced your VP Medicare plan as cruel to "poor and vulnerable persons".Why do you have a war on religion, Gov Romney ??"

[greatauntoftriplets]

28. Or a war on old people?

At age 65, Rmoney is Medicare-eligible. I now wonder if he signed up.

[Rozlee]

98. Wow. Good question.

Although I think he has a medical plan as part of his governor's pension, although a lot of public employees health benefits are sometimes augmented by Medicare as a secondary when they reach 65, such as my husband's Tricare. I don't know how old his kids are, but I'm betting if they're 26 or under, he's got them on ACA.

[greatauntoftriplets]

100. Ryan is only 42 (remember when they said Obama was too young to be president?)...

so I imagine that his kids are still grade school age.

[zellie]

34. "Gov Romney, your vp pick has a 0% rating

with Naral and wants to criminalize abortions? How many years should a women be imprisoned for getting an abortion ?"

[zellie]

45. "Gov Romney, you and your VP want

to eviscerate Medicare and Medicaid for people while giving even more tax cuts for the rich. Are the rich really suffering ?"

[Honeycombe8]

20. That's not how they describe it. They say the leave it as is, for those who want to stay with it.

OR they can elect to buy a private plan. But if they go with the regular Medicare, it will probably cost them more, because the govt will only give a certain amt of subsidy for either.

But the catch is: There's not exactly a long list of ins. cos. lining up to insure senior citizens. That's why Medicare was started to begin with! Seniors couldn't afford the cost of ins. Ins. cos. don't want to insure them....they cost an arm and a leg in claims. So ins. cos. charge whopper premiums, if you are a senior and want ins.

Ryan's plan doesn't recognize that fact.

[zellie]

24. Ryan knows exactly that.

More money for private insurance and screw the old people.

[bucolic_frolic]

14. How many Tax Returns will Paul Ryan Release?

Everyone wants to know.

The budget guy, the numbers man, will he or won't he?

[90-percent]

22. an essay, not much on Ryan.

Last edited Sat Aug 11, 2012, 09:15 AM - Edit history (2)

The more I learn about Romney the more I don’t like him. He’s made a fortune screwing American taxpayers out of his fair share via elite-only-loopholes. I find it utterly amazing that this man, a walking version of every morally corrupted rot that’s making life worse for the majority of humanity, is the Republican nominee!

I welcome the discussion of how Romney ran his businesses and all the details of his personal wealth. For example, he has built his IRA up to $20-100 million? An individual can only contribute $5,000 per year! The IRA plan was conceived to help fund retirements, not to allow the wealthy another tax shelter.

This campaign will force blanket coverage of all the tricks the wealthy use to make their slice of the pie bigger at the expense of the bottom 99%. All of America will get a daily education from all media about the galling greed of the monied elite that have purchased our Democracy. (I contend in the present moment America is a plutocracy. We are no longer a democracy. We barely were for good portions of our history, anyway)

The right gets really offended about welfare queens. Those that game the social safety nets that are perhaps undeserving of taxpayer help. That does happen, unfortunately, and I have a personal real life proof for that, but the magnitude of Romneys lust for as much CORPORATE WELFARE as his looopholeologists can provide to him should be utterly repellant to any critically thinking American.. Whats comforting is there is a certain segment of the wealthy that understand PROGRESSIVE TAXATION and how going back to higher tax rates for the wealthy allowed a shared prosperity. They would prefer higher taxes for the good of society.

It’s about good citizenship. I hope all Americans that remember their High School Civics classes understand the underlying principals of our democracy and their responsibilities to contribute to it via informed participation. Such participation is necessary, especially for this election, for it is truly our last and only chance to prevent America from becoming an utter PLUTOCRACY. The Middle Ages with I-pads. We must show the entitled elites they cannot buy every single piece of our Democracy!

-90% jimmy

[James48]

25. Amazing, isn't it?

Amazing, isn't it?

[Atman]

35. +1000

[Honeycombe8]

76. LOL! It IS amazing how much he looks like Eddie Munster! Uncanny. And that makes Romney Herman.

Cool!

[Odin2005]

83. BWAHAHA!!!

[Evasporque]

26. No center votes for Romney now...

Attack dog, brown nosing Ryan...will pretty much remove any chance the GOP has for the women's votes....this is another move forced by the wealthy far right...the Ads will be super easy to make....and are backed up. Ryan did propose a lot of extreme shit.

Ryan called in his marker....he did a lot of favors as a new Rep. and did the dirty job of attacking medicare and social security to maintain the far right compliance....well with victory a distant dream and Obama showing strong in several key states...the GOP already threw in the towel...they gave Ryan the nod and paid him back...his place in history will be set with this run.

We'll see how he does in a national campaign...far away from the safe haven of his VERY conservative SE wisconsin district...wisconsin's Bible Belt of crazies and White Super Obama haters.

On Edit: Added more...

[INdemo]

27. Does this make any sense?....perhaps

the Repukes are formally introducing Ryan so Republicans "get to know him" so it sets him up for 2016..realizing their hopes of winning 2012 is over..

[cstanleytech]

40. Only way that would happen is if the dems dont have a decent candidate

because so far Ryan seems to have have his head firmly lodged up his ass and is unable to grasp some concepts like "compassion" or "empathy".

[INdemo]

44. The Republican party is long gone(now the TeaParty) and 2016 is light years away they

now have a track record of doing stupid things and promoting Ryan for 2016 I think would be in line with their goal/s

[erpowers]

41. My Thinking

I was wondering the same thing.

[CrispyQ]

31. Paul Ryan is good looking? Seriously?

I think he looks like a cartoon character.

But I concur with the rest of your thoughts!

[cstanleytech]

36. Not as bad as Palin but not much better either. nt

[mwooldri]

97. I disagree.

Sarah Palin could be clearly seen for what she is. I don't agree with her views, and I don't think she is *that* batshit crazy conservative.

Paul Ryan on the other hand has some better points than Sarah - like he demonstrates a higher level of intellect, is more cohesive with his message and actually knows what it is.

There are worse points. His policies *are* batshit crazy. If Sarah Palin is an extreme conservative, then Paul Ryan is a hardcore conservative - bordering beyond conservative and into the realms of parts of fascism, especially corporatism.

As for being telegenic, Sarah beats Paul on this point.

So my opinion is that Mr. Ryan is a perfect pick for the Republican party, but a better pick for Democrats.

[coldbeer]

37. They look like father and son!!!

[RebelOne]

92. Yup. Romney is old enough to be his father.

Romney is 65, and Ryan is 42.

[Katashi_itto]

38. May the Lords Of Kolob Bless this pick!

The Munsters are protected by the Lords of Kolob, Beware!

Kolob is also the inspiration for the fictional planet Kobol within the Battlestar Galactica universe, created by Glen A. Larson, a Mormon.

[erpowers]

39. Biggest Mistake of Romney Campaign

The Paul Ryan budget plan is very unpopular in America. Putting Ryan on the ticket makes it very clear what type of budget the Romney team will put forward.

[cstanleytech]

42. No, the biggest mistake for Romney is that he keeps putting his foot in his mouth. nt

[chelsea0011]

46. Now that the American people had to wait for the family horse to lose

we can get back to what's important? The Ryan pick finished second to the horse?

[INdemo]

56. Hypocritical Ryan..

remember this..Paul Ryan's college education was paid for(in part) with Social Security benefits. He began receiving them at age 15..and now as congressman he wants to destroy the program

[Big Tent]

47. Tax Returns

I still think that the Democrats should demand Romney's Tax returns and in addition to those Tax returns demand Ryan's returns. This pick was made out of desperation. The attack ads on the Ryan medicare plan should come, but really ramp those up after labor day when the senior citizens start paying attention. The Bain Capitol attacks are still working.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

48. First mate on the Titanic

He won't save the Captain

[Rene]

49. Why the jeans in NH? He was wearing a dress shirt/pants in a corn field in Iowa in last pic I saw

what's the dress down message from mitthood and anyn rand/ryan

[billky]

50. Ryan pick taking attention off Mitt's taxes...

And it's working, for now. They need to stay on Romney after today and get off Ryan, he's just the second banana. Romney knew if he picked somebody with some political garbage, they would get off his back. I'm afraid it's going to work.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

53. until voters know that they want to get rid of Medicare

[wordpix]

87. I STILL want to know if Rmoney paid taxes over the last 10 years, Ryan or no Ryan!

and how is it legal Rmoney gets a $77K tax deduction for his dancing horse, and why is it legal for him to spend his entire life avoiding taxes?

[Mass]

51. Good news - The ad is written - Save Medicare - Vote Obama!!!

[Mosaic]

54. Go Bama!

4 More Years!

[James48]

55. Paul Ryan book

Here is a copy of voting record and positions of Paul Ryan:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/102084820/71

[peaches2003]

57. F's up on his introduction of Ryan

Can Romney do anything right? Introduces Ryan as the next President of the US.

[Norbert]

61. I heard that...

...and thought, he really didn't say that, did he? Then I thought, this is Mitt-stake talking. Yes he did.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

84. Like your mom's %^$$&......

[B Calm]

89. Hey Mom3, when you go back to where

you came from, try posting this and see how long it stays on the board!

Mitt Romney's abortion business made him 50 million!

You can't make this stuff up because nobody would believe you!

http://www.nowpublic.com/health/mitt-romney-s-abortion-business-made-him-50m

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

90. I'm not Mom3. But yes I agree. nt

[alfredo]

58. Paul Ryan is Dick Cheney without a soul.

[Jamaal510]

70. Cheney has a soul?!

[alfredo]

105. Yes, it's small and smells of sulfur.

[humbled_opinion]

59. A campaign of Fear...

We are going to hear how these are the only two that can fix the social safety net programs and if we leave Obama in for another four the debt will double again and destroy the economy for good, it is going to be a campaign to convince America that our National debt and the deficits mean the end of America...

[FailureToCommunicate]

64. Romney/Ryan ticket: Steal Grandma's savings (and healthcare) and give it to the uber rich.

?w=680

[FailureToCommunicate]

62. "Now, please welcome the next PRESIDENT of the united States...Paul Ryan!"

Moments later Romney puts his arm on Ryan's shoulder and quips: "Sometimes I'm known to make a mistake!"



THis is SO unfair to comedy writers...there's so little left for them to create!!

[Proles]

78. LOL, who needs campaign managers for Obama when he basically does

their job for free.

[wordpix]

96. scary part is he COULD be the next prezeldent, if Rmoney wins

Scary thought

[Coyotl]

63. The Outsourcer's Apprentice is Mr. Do Nothing, Congressional Obstructionist. Wooooo Hoooo

Good luck getting the nomination in 2016 Paul.

You saw how Palin got impaled

[dipsydoodle]

66. Makes a change from just picking his nose.

.

[Amimnoch]

67. I hope President Obama's Campaign focuses hard on "the Ryan Plan".

Especially in Florida.

True, Romeny just increased his chances of taking Wisconsin, but unless President Obama's campaign gets very lazy, there should be no way Romney can take Florida now with this choice.

[Progressive dog]

68. Damn, my wife was rooting for Jindal

He reminds her of howdy doody.

[peaches2003]

69. Needs to borrow GWB's ear piece

Remember when Bush showed up at a debate with an ear piece and clearly a box taped to his back under his shirt so that he could be told the answers to the questions from someone behind the curtain? That's what Romney needs. He can't string 2 coherent words together in a row.

[Major Hogwash]

71. How to commit political suicide in 2 easy steps - Refuse to release tax forms ; Pick a whacko veep

Man, someone should tell Romney to learn to tread water, because he just grabbed an anchor to try and stay afloat in this campaign.

No more talk about Bain?
Hardly, that's all we're going to talk about!!!

Joe Scarbrow's head just exploded this morning.
He so wanted Chris Christy.
Poor Joe, now he has to switch talking out of the other side of his mouth and say that he thinks this is a good pick.

[dixiegrrrrl]

73. "to reign in " ..jeez.... they still cannot spell.

Have you noticed how "reign in " is being used for "rein in" so much?

Then again, that could have been a freudian slip...

[RebelOne]

93. Common mistake. I see it all the time, even in newspaper articles. n/t

[wordpix]

95. they want to "reign in" federal spending because they consider themselves kings

Not a mistake, just Rmoney's group being the 1%-ers they are

[sofa king]

75. Oh, I need to say a few thousand words about this!

What will the insiders say?

How will it go down with independents and undecideds?

And Republican voters?

&feature=related

[MrsBrady]

79. no one wants to run with Romney

This election cycle will ruin both Romney and Ryan's political careers.

Ryan is taking one for the team...probably promised some job with the Koch brothers
after everything is all said and done.


gObama

Get Out The Vote

[wordpix]

81. talk about an inexperienced veep a heartbeat away from presidency

Last edited Sat Aug 11, 2012, 12:18 PM - Edit history (1)

WTF has he done except put out the 1%'s Economic Manifesto?

[Odin2005]

82. This Randoid prick needs to be utterly destroyed.

I don't want him anywhere near the White House.

[elbloggoZY27]

85. Just Vote No

The GOP just proved my point. They are the Party of No.

No anything progressive.

[wordpix]

94. "a vision for the country," who "adds something to the political discourse about the direction of

the country”---Rmoney talking about Ryan.

Rmoney needs someone w/"vision and direction" because he has neither except to help out his 1% fellow plutocrats.

[RadicalGeek]

103. Bernie Puts it Best?

The selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as Romney's choice for vice president makes it very clear that the Republican Party has completely caved in to the extreme right-wing Tea Party. Ryan, the author of the Republican House budget, would make devastating cuts in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and education while giving even more tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. The Romney-Ryan ticket is waging war against the middle class and must be defeated."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

[asjr]

101. Does anyone think this is something

arranged way ahead of time--same as GW Bush and Dick Cheney--that the actual president would be Ryan because he is at least coherent? And obviously meaner. I am beginning to think I am paranoid.

[kickysnana]

104. +1

"Just because you are paranoid, that doesn't mean people are not out to get you." --some jive comedian somewhere

[bucolic_frolic]

106. Any Chance

the GOP convention dumps Romney in favor of Ryan?