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Mitt Romney announces Paul Ryan as running mate
- Thread starter MThanded
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Officerrob
Banned
The Ryan Budget finds a way to piss off the vast majority of people
Not really. Its potentially a very bad move for Romney because it ties him to a deeply unpopular budget plan that will be a particularly tough sell to senior citizens. Most (nearly 50%) of Americans have never heard of Paul Ryan so the next few days are going to be very important in defining him as a candidate. If the democrats succeed in extending their attack on the Ryan budget and making it stick to Romney then this will turn out to be a very bad pick.
Ryan is a good pick to please the republican establishment and maybe the base but aside from supposedly being a likable guy, its hard to see how he wins non straight white male independent voters.
Leona Lewis
Banned
Love the typo in that bio.
Souldriver
Member
Maybe I'm just being naive here, but I just think it reflects bad on a campaign/candidate when the running mate pick is a transparent strategic pick, or a "balls out game changer" kind of pick. Just like Palin was for McCain, and Ryan is for Romney.
I'd just rather have a pick that's consistent with the views of the presidential candidate him/herself. It shows stability and strength of conviction in the team, instead of this air that decisions are made hastily, not thought through, based on media narratives, and to pander to certain demographics...
To make that clear: if Romney had always been this extreme right-wing (fiscal) republican, I would see the Ryan pick as logical, and okay (even though I disagree). But afaik Romney as governor of Massachusetts was quite moderate, no? It just seems so awkward to me that he has thrown all his convictions out the window, and is pandering to the nuts in his party as a strategy to win votes. It just reflects bad on his whole campaign. Not to mention, it makes every media appearance and debate harder if you don't have convictions and "flip flop" all the time.
Only if he really manages to make the Ryan budget part of his own platform, I think he could make this VP pick into a positive.
Bulbo Urethral Baggins
Banned
Looking back, this is really the only smart choice Romney could have made. All of the other candidates weren't going to energize anyone. So boring. Imagine if it was Pawlenty as VP. A collective yawn bubble would have enveloped this country.
Now, the game is on. The choice is clear. Romney has doubled down.
Now, the game is on. The choice is clear. Romney has doubled down.
Ken Masters
Banned
problem?
Wouldn't have made it through college if I didn't have pell.
Uh... I think we need more than just the military and social security (a privatized social security at that!)
You are not reading it right, we are very pleased with the pick. We are not pleased Romney could not think for himself and choose a woman or a more moderate persona
To go with the "base" is just a stupid, stupid move in a general election where you require the middle to come forward for you to win
The GOP loses in virtually any election where the Democrats and middle are mobilized, that is just a fact from voter registrations. The worst thing Romney could do is give Obama a free pass to mobilize lol
Gary Whitta
Member
This is has been Romney all along and is my biggest problem with him. I don't agree with a lot of conservative politicians but I at least respect the ones who have the courage of their convictions. Romney is an empty shell with no belief, conviction or policy that he isn't willing to change or reverse in order to please the people he needs to. He is driven by nothing other than the desire to be President, and he will deliver any position or belief you want from him so long as it gets him elected. It's by far the most unattractive aspect of the man as a candidate and it's the reason why he's had such a hard time defining himself because he is incapable of holding a consistent position. I think he really believes in an individual mandate in healthcare - he must have, he wrote one into law himself - but now he's willing to burn it all down because it's what he has to do to run against Obama. Disgusting. The man has no spine at all.
But how will Ryan fare in the debates? Biden was literally handed the debates when Palin was selected but now he's up against Ryan, a career politician.
This is a joke post right? Because you clearly know nothing in politics. In fact most liberals are probably pleased that romney picked Ryan because it hinders his presidential hopes rather than helping.
Gary Whitta
Member
There's one VP debate and it's meaningless.
Liberals are fucking delighted.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
One of the best things that could happen for my family personally is if getting all of Ryan's positions destroyed on the national stage causes him to lose the seat in Wisconsin as well
GravityMan
Member
Ryan is a bright guy, but this is not a good VP pick. He would have been a better fit in an appropriate Cabinet position, if sleazy slimy Romney were to win. Him as VP just about solidifies an election victory for Obama. Ryan is too "elitist college nerd", and lacks the personality and charisma to appeal/relate to common folk.
Like most elections, this one will boil down to the lesser of two evils. Ugh.
Like most elections, this one will boil down to the lesser of two evils. Ugh.
Palette Swap
Member
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
What would you call Biden besides "career politician"? He knows his shit and has reams of material to use against Ryan. Just because Palin was so below his fighting weight that he actually had to reign himself in doesn't mean he isn't fully prepared to debate literally any imaginable opponent, to say nothing of someone like Paul Ryan.
He's been in Congress for decades and Vice President for four years, and he only has to debate to a draw for everyone to forget the VP debate within six hours, anyway.
Pawlenty, although boring, would have been a better choice imo. He would have had a better chance of reaching a variety of voters (independents, moderate dems, blue dogs). Ryan doesn't have that luxury. Boring isn't always bad. In fact I would argue that the 'splash' pick of Ryan will be front loaded. It will initially give him a boost until people know more about him.
Phoenix
Member
The real question is do people really care about the VP debates? Last election the had high ratings for their comedic value, but nobody REALLY cares what happens in these. Hell where is Biden anyways? He could be dead for all the vast majority if Americans know. VPs are pretty much invisible in the eyes of America.
The Democratic Party should, however, paint the picture of what a Ryan presidency should Romney die or be killed by right wing nut jobs trying to get the moderate out.
Snowden's Secret
Banned
Obama won Wisconsin by a wide margin in 2008 (and it's still likely in play even after Ryan) and even won Ryan's district by like 4%.
PhoenixDark
Banned
Agreed but Obama began to defeat her in the final debates. She became quite desperate while Obama remained calm and collected. By the time Obama reached the general election debates he had fixed his problems, which IMO revolved around being way too wooden and professor like, plus an inability to make points simple without being long winded. Man, just talking about Hillary makes my hands shake. I miss her
Ryan will destroy Biden in the debate. The optics will be on his side as the young, handsome guy he is. He is rather good at defending his horrible budget and I expect Biden to fail at attacking it.
Biden could have the advantage of being old to one group: the elderly, who may trust Biden over Ryan on looks, and who are already familiar with his budget. Old people talk about politics a lot with each other, and while they don't like Obama they certainly won't like hearing the word "voucher" from now until November. We will see
What the hell are you talking about. Liberals also rejoice in this picking.
Ryan is not Nixon. Ryan argues semantics, not facts nor really knows how to actually debate. It's a condescending behavior that he has to learn not to do, and if he doesn't in time for debates he will cost the republicans independents(granted he already lost independents because he's extremist.)
Phoenix
Member
I think more liberals were looking for a good fight and possibly even a viable fallback candidate in some cases. This pretty much say vote Obama or stay home.
You really don't understand liberals if you think they're depressed about this choice. The Obama campaign headquarters probably looked like this when they heard the news.
Bulbo Urethral Baggins
Banned
I love quotes like this. I've been reading them for 30 years.
Donated to the campaign this morning. If this turns out to be real, I will donate again. Double.
really?
Liberals love the pick. Conservatives love the pick. I've never seen a more bi-partisan move in my life.
Palin actually worked to Biden's disadvantage. Biden couldn't even go hard at her (insert Palin wink-gif here) for fear of being labeled a bully.
But with Ryan...I would expect some fire. Notably when it starts getting to foreign policy.
SteveWinwood
Member
I just wanted to be a cool kid and quote you as well.
Joe Biden
United States Senator from Delaware - January 3, 1973 – January 15, 2009
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary - January 6, 1987 – January 3, 1995
47th Vice President of the United States - January 20, 2009 -
Paul Ryan
U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin' - January 3, 1999 -
Chairperson of the House Budget Committee - January 3, 2011 -
Sure dude. Rmoney/AynR 2012.
gutter_trash
Banned
it's not what Liberals think that matters, it's what moderates think.
This move just panders to the looneys on the ultra-right, this move probably will keep Florida blue in November
This move just panders to the looneys on the ultra-right, this move probably will keep Florida blue in November
Bulbo Urethral Baggins
Banned
Very true.
What I meant was more 'how would Biden fair against someone of higher intellect in the debates' a) because he's always painted as rather aloof and childlike b) Ryan will actually know what he's doing c) I thought the VP debates were more important.
I didn't realize the VP candidates only had one debate and it was basically meaningless.
The way this thread has played out, one would be hard pressed to mistake the republican ticket as Ryan/Romney.
That's pretty awesome
Donated to the campaign this morning. If this turns out to be real, I will donate again. Double.
Actually, I think it's an excellent choice for Romney... And I'm probably what you would label a liberal.
Doesn't mean I don't think Ryan is fuckin nuts, though. Because I certainly do.
Yeah, cut everything except defense spending and then use the money to cut taxes for millionaires. Brilliant!
Starve the poor, make certain they do not get adequate healthcare, while the rich buy another yacht with their tax cut money. The American dream, realized at last!
cartoon_soldier
Member
It pretty much is Ryan/Romney now.
The election is now about Obama's vision vs Ryan's vision. Romney for all intent and purposes is the rubber stamp conservatives wanted him to be.
Speaking of this, does SNL have a Paul Ryan?
BrokenEchelon
Banned
Obama just won.
Would it be the first time that the American people voted against their own interests?
He's intelligent, well-spoken, and convincing. If people are stupid enough to listen to someone like Palin then they'll buy what he's selling.
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
They have no shortage of young white guys. Taran Killam could probably do him. Or just use Seth Meyers if he wants to do skits again.
SteveWinwood
Member
Well he's certainly well-spoken and convincing.
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