Will Paul Ryan help or hurt the GOP ticket?
It’s official: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has chosen Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his vice presidential running mate, sealing the ticket for the November showdown with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Ryan, a seven-term congressman, gained national attention and widespread support among conservatives after championing a major restructuring of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and trimming trillions in federal spending.
“I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington,” Ryan said in a statement released by the Romney campaign Saturday.
According to Washington Insider blogger Jamie Dupree, the National Journal 2011 vote ratings for the U.S. House have Ryan as the 150th most conservative, 278th most liberal congressman.
The Obama campaign quickly knocked Romney’s choice, calling Ryan “the architect of the radical Republican House budget” and advocate of “budget-busting tax cuts.”
The selection comes as Republicans prepare for their national convention Aug. 27 in Tampa, Fla.
Do you think Ryan’s selection will help or hurt the GOP ticket?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
244 comments Add your comment
t
August 11th, 2012
9:31 am
Paul Ryan is the most serious and responsible politician in america. to actually learn about his ideas, go here and watch these short presentations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwv5EbxXSmE&feature=relmfu
T
August 11th, 2012
9:53 am
He is a TERRIBLE pick! God help us Republicans!
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
9:54 am
It’s too early to tell what Ryan’s selection will do for the GOP ticket. Solid conservatives will vote for the ticket and solid liberals won’t. Ryan’s pick won’t move that needle one millimeter either way. The debate will center around the economic ideas that the campaigns put forward from this point until November. I can see that this will become a negative campaign of epic proportions though.
t
August 11th, 2012
9:58 am
i’d like to mention also that Ryan has worked with Dem Senator Ron Wyden on a bipartisan tax reform plan. He is pragmatic and responsible. Independents should flock to him.
Mike Geigerman
August 11th, 2012
9:59 am
VP won’t move the dial.. Bet Mr. Ryan is serious man who cares and would be way better qualified to effectively run this country than our current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
GT
August 11th, 2012
10:00 am
How can he help except maybe in Wisconsin ,a swing state which he has never won a statewide election? He will harden up a vote that was already there, bridge the Tea Party with the society in the Republican Party, which would vote for Romney if he were the next Hitler over Obama, so what good will this do? Maybe the elites want this train wreck so they can take their own bite out of the Tea Party that has hijacked the Republican Party. Maybe they can get Obama to do their dirty work of exposing this impostor leaving their hands clean. In any case there will be moments like the Palin, Katie Couric interview that will make people drop their jaws. At the end of the day the GOP may learn a lesson this time and be better off, but this dog Ryan won’t hunt.
M
August 11th, 2012
10:02 am
While I agree that Paul Ryan is serious on the issues that he is passionate for, I don’t think he is the most responsible. This pick was obviously the ‘bold move’ one that Romney hopes that will cause his base to get charged over, never mind that most economists, even conservative ones, agree that the Ryan plan is very flawed.
M
August 11th, 2012
10:03 am
And no, independents won’t flock to him. They view him as wary as most people do, except those in Wisconsin.
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
10:04 am
i’d like to mention also that Ryan has worked with Dem Senator Ron Wyden on a bipartisan tax reform plan.
That doesn’t mean anything. Remember McCain-Feingold? McCain worked with a Democrat on campaign finance reform. McCain also had to tack to the right to keep the base happy. That alienated some independents. Romney/Ryan will have to follow that same path, which I think Romney has signaled he will do by selecting Ryan. There’s a growing group of independents who are tired of the extremes of both sides. Which ever candidate tacks too far from the center to appease their base will likely be the one on the losing end of the vote in November.
That’s just my view though.
M
August 11th, 2012
10:07 am
@Brosephus – Totally agree.
P
August 11th, 2012
10:13 am
Fabulous Pick!! He is articulate, knows the country’s finances inside and out! And can discuss them better than anyone in America. He is the same age as JFK was. He is self-made and above all, he tells it like it is.
And for those (of which there are apparently many) who are attracted only by “how cool is he?” Well, just look into those blue eyes. What a good looking, young family man with energy and charm. Obama, your match has arrived on the scene. Go Romney/ Ryan! Terrific morning in America! Such a breath of fresh air! When can I vote???
CPJ
August 11th, 2012
10:13 am
Romneyhood + Ryanhood = Rob from the poor and give to the rich. These 2 elitists double down on trickle-down economics. The same failed economic policies that have failed us for the last 30 years.
gkingii
August 11th, 2012
10:17 am
They make a good ticket. Both have actually offered real plans to solve real problems. If voters are responsible the Romney-Ryan team will win. Biggest problem?…Democrats will lie a lot and try to scare everybody. The democrats now in office want us all to be in a race to the bottom. Not my idea of America.
t
August 11th, 2012
10:18 am
@M, Ryan represents a moderate district. It voted for Obama, for instance. He has a history of wooing independents and moderate dems. He speaks clearly and straightforward, im optimistic
Nick Saban
August 11th, 2012
10:22 am
Great pick ! Bye Bye Socialists Liberals ! How anyone can vote for Obama just blows my mind ! FYI …Bye Bye Honey Badger !
SisterSarah
August 11th, 2012
10:22 am
No more stark of a contrast will be drawn now that Ryan is a part of the picture. The polls will now start to line up as they will for the election. Romney just sacrificed a nice piece of the Independent vote though, and definitely lost some of the senior citizen vote, seeing as how they will not want to hear anything about touching their Medicare and Social Security. He has also just energized the Democratic base. Expect Obama contributions to start to roll in more now.
Mark
August 11th, 2012
10:22 am
It doesn’t matter who the pick is, because it’s going to be
OBAMA ALL THE WAY!
OBAMA 2012!!!
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
10:24 am
One also has to consider the extra scrutiny that Romney’s economic plan will receive now that his VP selection is “The” GOP economic voice. There will be no more hiding behind vague suggestions and ideas. He’s going to have to lay out something that is specific enough for people to understand and for economists to be able to truthfully interpret. If not, this pick may be a nail in Romney’s coffin.
richard
August 11th, 2012
10:25 am
The Ryan plan ends ends medicare and turns health care for seniors into a voucher program costing me and my wife twelve thousand dollars a year to pay for tax cuts for the rich. We don’t have any idea how we can afford that since we are on a fixed income. I am sure the wealthy are giving each other high fives but the middle class is going to get screwed. (Remember Newt called it radical social engineering) And if you are already 65 don’t believe they wont cut your medicare as the Ryan guy is one slick wiesel who has no concern for seniors.
t
August 11th, 2012
10:25 am
@Sarah, are you aware nothing changes for those 55 and older? Are you aware that polls show people under 55 believe they are paying into programs that will not be in existence when it is time for them to collect? That is what the Ryan plan is about–saving medicare and social security for future generations.
GT
August 11th, 2012
10:26 am
The elephant in the room is these guys are not likable. There are people comparing Ryan to Reagan. What elected Reagan was this ability to communicate, neither of these GOP candidates have that ability and Romney is lead in his thinking, looking at his resume none of this thinking is how he would run a government, but he goes along with it to win. They truly just do not get it. You would think with all the money they spend someone could hire a people person that could explain the American people to Romney. They do not vote for cold stiff people unless they don’t have a choice. They do not feel their interest is at heart with Romney and wait to they get a load of Ryan who wants to nuke all benefits while keeping an army straining our economy. And mathmatically and accountability wise the Ryan plan works as well as traffic in Atlanta.
carlton
August 11th, 2012
10:28 am
Not so fast on Ryan losing the senior vote! Seniors have children and grandchildren. As stingy as they might be characterized, they won’t take money away from their families.
t
August 11th, 2012
10:28 am
ha. A liberal doesn’t like Paul Ryan. Shocker. Non-liberals will find him charming, like his moderate constituents do.
jeffrey
August 11th, 2012
10:31 am
Well at least he is a republican, still not sure about flip. But he is a bad pick because he is as short on details as flip. The only things either of these two have ever fully articulated is less taxes for the rich. Everything else they say lacks facts and a real plan.
A
August 11th, 2012
10:32 am
No change for this liberal. Obama-Biden 2012!
t
August 11th, 2012
10:32 am
another thing people forget is that Obama cut $700 from medicare to pay for Obamacare. That affects seniors currently! Ryan is fazing in reform 10 years or more, not just cutting medicare.
On Point
August 11th, 2012
10:32 am
I think it is a bold move by Romney. It could be a true game changer. Up to this point I (an Independent) would have voted Obama hands down. Until Romney define his plan economically I just could not give him my vote. If he and Ryan and come up with a good strategy that will get us out of this mess I will get on board.
Rob
August 11th, 2012
10:34 am
Seemed a lot like JFK during his speech. Liberals do not like him because he talks to the people like adults and like it or not, he will tell you the cold hard facts.
Summer Fresh
August 11th, 2012
10:35 am
People vote for the PRESIDENT…. not the VP. At least he’s more intelligent than the former half governor of Alaska. Wait, EVERYONE is more intelligent than that being.
CPJ
August 11th, 2012
10:38 am
Wait..During the annoucemnt Ryan just cited Romney’s Bain experience as his qualifications for POTUS ….I thought Romney just told everyone that his Bain experience was off limits? Come to think of it maybe he was just referring to his unreleased tax returns.
B. Thenet
August 11th, 2012
10:41 am
It is quite fun to see the conservatives tout the “fiscal conservative” policies of a man who voted for the unfunded Auto Bailout and the unfunded Stimulus package, two of Obama’s policies they intensely dislike.
This is a last gasp move by the Romney campaign that has seen their candidate fall further behind in the polls over the past month. He just picked the top policy wonk in a very unpopular do-nothing Congress, a man who from what I have seen has yet to pass any meaningful legislation since he joined the Congress.
The combination of “snubbing” Rubio along with the mere idea of modifying Medicare should cost Romney at least 2 more points in Florida.
Summer Fresh
August 11th, 2012
10:43 am
Anyone hear the music that was played when Romneyhood pranced off the Navy ship ? The theme from Air Force One with Harrison Ford. How trite and nauseating. Probably the only time he’s ever been on a military vessel. Luxury yachts typically aren’t gray. Oh well …… off to the Caymans !
Michael Turner
August 11th, 2012
10:43 am
Romney made a BIG mistake in chosing Paul Ryan. He has dealt the Democrats a great hand. The polls will reflect this pick soon.
GT
August 11th, 2012
10:44 am
Scare? Did I hear a GOP robot say that the Democrats are going to scare people to get votes? The Goldwater nuke the children party now calls out a scare alert? Man if it hadn’t been for 9/11 Bush would have been a one term president, didn’t even really win the first term and we wouldn’t have been in this economic mess. There are people our enemies in Iraq this morning waking up in our contributions to the infrastructure of that country, we attacked, destroyed and rebuildt much better because we were scared. Boy we showed them, shock and aw was the campaign slogan if I remember right. Scare probably has been copyrighted by the GOP and not for use by the Democrats in this rich entitled country of intellectual property that pay taxes in foreign lands if at all. Hell they invented scare and now are getting rich off of it. What a great country.
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
10:46 am
t @ 10:25
You’re right to a point. One thing I’ve learned in my time working for the fed government is that you can’t believe have of what you see and the other half of what you hear. There’s nothing in that plan that can’t be changed to add those 55 and up later on down the line.
SisterSarah
August 11th, 2012
10:49 am
@t and @Carlton
Let me first say that I am in my 40s, a professional, and fall under the 28% tax bracket. I am one of those people that you speak of. I am also an Independent voter. Let me also say that I have always personally viewed the “my children and my children’s children’s children” thing as BOGUS. In my 40 plus years on this earth I never recall EVER hearing that when it came to politics and economics. People never became SO concerned about their posterity until Obama was elected to office. It has all been a part of the narrative of “take our country back”. Quite honestly, I do not have time to worry about what the value of the dollar will be when I am rotting in my grave, with NO CONSCIOUSNESS whatsoever about what is taking place on the physical earth 157 years after I was birthed, or once my brain shuts down in death. The truth is, those who truly have faith and embrace the concept of a Higher power KNOW that all will work out and balance out, it always has and always will. Finally, as far as “saving medicare and social security for future generations.” How’s that been working out for the past 3 generations? It will be what it will be and Ryan’s platitudes will turn out to be just that. A larger truth – until the U.S. gets corruption and corporate dollars’ influence out of our government and electoral process it will continue to be what it will be.
ABC
August 11th, 2012
10:53 am
Paul Ryan is an extremist whose budget ambitions would undermine the social and economic infrastructure guaranteed by government that has made the U.S. economy premier in the world. Stop drinking the koolaid of the crazy “cut government” mentality. The two strongest economies in the word right now, China and Germany, are heavily government regulated. The koolaid drinkers will get what they want, namely the opportunity to idolize wealth to which they will never have access. Rich people will always be rich. Why are we so worried about their money? Look the at the reality of people like Mitt Romney who were born into privilege and then try to run on their “record as businessman.” It’s easy to be “successful” when it was handed to you and when it comes to you at the expense of middle-class people.
Cayce
August 11th, 2012
10:54 am
I don’t see how this helps him. Ryan has very extreme economic views and has been very vocal of his Ayn Rand philosophy. The rich are special and help each other and everyone else lives to support the rich. It’s certainly the direction the country is taking, but I can only imagine that it doesn’t sit well with most people. And he’s been clear he wants to dismantle social security and medicare. You can spin it all you want, but that’s a big part of his message.
CPJ
August 11th, 2012
11:00 am
@SisterSarah 10:49a: Very well said. The corrupting influence of so much money flowing into our election process is what destroys my trust in gov’t. It seems the system is rigged just like system on Wall Street is rigged. Sad
GT
August 11th, 2012
11:01 am
SisterSarah is dead on about corruption and corporate influence. When we send food to a third world country quiet often it is intercepted by an element of profiteers and the food never gets to the intended source who then starve to death. America talks the talk and put God into the right wing, probably another intellectual property claimed and registered by the right, but their actions are like the profiteers in the Temple and today in third world countries. Until we get this boot off our necks we will never fix this problem. The right want to take it to the grass roots ,federalism, our last vote this month told the world what Georgia really thinks of its local government. Like Obama says Romney won’t fix the problem he is the problem along with a party of corruption that has bought this country right out from under us.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
August 11th, 2012
11:02 am
it doesnt make a difference who mittens pick ..bottom line ..TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS HAS NOT WORKED WILL NOT WORK AND HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SLOW DEMISE OF THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS..PLEASE REPUBLICANS WAKE UP ITS 2012 IN THIS WORLD BASED ECONOMY DIFFERENT YEAR STILL SAME OLD TIRED TACTICS THATS BEEN TRIED AND FAILED…OUR PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA REMAIN THE BEST CHOICE AS MITTENS LACK EXPERIENCE..BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND NO FORIEGN EXPERIENCE…I HAVE TRAVELED THE WORLD OUR PRESIDENT IS LOVED LIKE A ROCK STAR AND THIS COUNTRY IS RESPECTED AROUND THE GLOBE AGAIN…MEANWHILE MITT THE TWITT MADE AN A$$ OF HIMSELF ACROSS THE POND AND ANGERED TONS…PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 2012 NO DOUBT GOOD FOR AMERICA..MITTENS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION
Jennie Mae
August 11th, 2012
11:06 am
I was hoping for someone I could get excited about because I am not a huge fan of Mitt….still no excitement. I suppose anything is better then Obama.
Bonnie
August 11th, 2012
11:09 am
Maybe Ryan will have more gumption to address Obama’s shortcomings and lies. Romney’s people need to step up to the plate and blast his accusations and make several of their own. Somebody needs to pull the plug on these negative lies Obama’s campaign is putting out but then maybe it’s guilty conscience.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
August 11th, 2012
11:09 am
JENNIE MAE..I HOPE YOUR VERY,VERY WEALTHY..CAUSE IF YOUR NOT..A VOTE FOR MITTENS IS VOTING YOUR INTEREST AWAY
Independent voter
August 11th, 2012
11:10 am
it’s a GREAT choice for the country… IF the libs and independents can understand economcs… free market capitalism… small business… real job creation… work ethic.. save and invest.. and PAY TAXES… personal responsibility folks… we can’t all be on welfare.. disability.. public labor unions working for the Gov’t.
Cya
August 11th, 2012
11:10 am
All you need to know about this guy is written across the pages of Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. A book that celebrates greed and blasts religion. Ryan has said more than once “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,” You up for that GOP? You ready to vote for a guy who thinks your religion is evil because it advocates care for the poor and downtrodden?
Jack
August 11th, 2012
11:11 am
Try selling this in Florida with all the seniors. Try selling this to hispanics after passing over Rubio.
Independent voter
August 11th, 2012
11:12 am
Obama’s campaign is all about class warfare… negative ads… after all he has no record to run on… NOW we really do need CHANGE !!!
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
11:12 am
Somebody needs to pull the plug on these negative lies Obama’s campaign is putting out but then maybe it’s guilty conscience.
I, for one, would greatly appreciate it if both campaigns quit with the negative lies. Too bad that the party faithful eat that crap up. One of the signs of a healthy market is when demand for something is met with ample supply.
Not Your Typical Atlantan
August 11th, 2012
11:14 am
Wont move the needle at all. Romney needs to be more transparent with what happened with Bain Capital and offshore bank accounts to stop the evasiveness. We vote for the President which runs the Country not the VP-
All Romney has done up to this point is issued a counter response to the decisions the President has initiated but never offers a specific solution to what he would have done differently/better-
I’ve also noticed the total absecne of the Bush/Cheney presence during the GOP campaign i guess to avoid reminding us how badly they tanked our country-
God help us, we the GOP!
dl
August 11th, 2012
11:16 am
BAD PICK! The election right now is about the independent “fencers” and those disappointed with their pick last election of Obama. To pick someone like Ryan who wants to rid Medicare and SS will return many of these voters back to Obama. Being “serious” and JFK like (a fairy tale at best due to his unfortunate demise but little known of actual policy) I believe this guy scares off more than he brings to the table. And yes, the VP does matter. Just look at what’s her face from AK. She single-handedly lost the election. Bold moves were not what was needed for Romney to win this election but a more pragmatic selection of someone who could bring in a state and a group of people at the same time without the overwhelming negative challenges that will be made against Ryan. My only hope is that Obama does not see the oval office again except from Fox news back home in Chicago.
Rick
August 11th, 2012
11:18 am
Don’t like the Medicare reforms. I say if you privatize anything, privatize social security.
Just another government screwball looking for ways to rip off the American people. Attacking a big pot of money.
Is he a lawyer?
Dogham
August 11th, 2012
11:18 am
As one of the biggest supporters of Ronald Reagan. I have to say the GOP has lost their way and distanced themselves from the middle class by the lure of the almighty dollar. We cannot strengthen our society as a whole by rewarding the 1% with more tax breaks. The 1% are not in turn spending the $$ to trickle down to everyone else. The selection of Paul Ryan has solidified the GOP philosophy of the Middle Class carrying the weight of the economy on their backs and the 1% reaping the benefits. For the first time, i will be voting for the Democratic nominee.
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Try selling this to hispanics after passing over Rubio.
That won’t be hard at all. It would have been much more formidable to sell Rubio TO the Hispanics given the rift between Cuban Americans and other Hispanic groups.
Aidan
August 11th, 2012
11:24 am
@GT: Obama is in on it. He’s not different. Do you think you become President in a corrupt system by being the nice guy who does the right thing? You’re insane if you think he’s not a puppet of lobbyists and corporations just like (almost) everyone else in Washington.
@UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR: They must have pretty low standards for grammar at UGA.
Mike
August 11th, 2012
11:25 am
Paul Ryan is a very serious , Honest and Intelligent man. Romney couldn’t have made a better choice.
Raul
August 11th, 2012
11:30 am
HEY GT !!! Your liberal media prevents these guys from communicating to the general population. THANK GOD for FOX NEWS!!!! GO ROMNEYRYAN2012!! ANYTHING is better than BARACK HUSSAIN OBAMA!! EVEN HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike
August 11th, 2012
11:32 am
The choice is this- Medicare and Social Security will either go bankrupt and be gone ten years from now or we will change them radically and they will stay. That’s the only two options open to us. Paul Ryan is the only one I have heard telling people the truth about this. He is the perfect person to be VP.
Not Right Politics
August 11th, 2012
11:32 am
It is what it is. Romney, with strong ties to Michigan, and Ryan from Wisconsin… two states getting back-ended by their elected officials on a precedence setting level. Michigan legislators trampling state constitutional rights and Wisconsin following close behind in what looks to be a joint effort between the two states to clobber peoples right to collectively bargaining… and then there is Romney’s self proclaimed only source of income – capital gains, and Ryan’s desire to eliminate taxes on capital gains – go figure… he picked a perfect vp running mate… they’ll be as happy as two non consensually fertilized eggs in a uterus!
VinnyD
August 11th, 2012
11:36 am
I would have gone with Rubio to take the state of Florida. Without Florida, you LOSE. Ryan’s plan doesn’t do near enough for me. In fact, it increases spending and the debt ceiling and doesn’t balance anything for a LONG time. We have to cut spending dramatically. I don’t like his voting record on many key issues but it could have been worse, it could have been Condi Rice.
Independent voter
August 11th, 2012
11:41 am
you need to watch CNBC.. business news…. NOT FOX or MSNBC… to understand how to get the economy and JOBS going !!
Smart like a fox
August 11th, 2012
11:44 am
oh yeah !! Now we can pound the poor and middle class….I love it !! Finally some will be there to look after all my money….now just put min wage back to four bucks and I might start hiring again.
GT
August 11th, 2012
11:46 am
Long-Term Capital Management L.P. (LTCM) was a hedge fund based in Greenwich, Connecticut that utilized absolute-return trading strategies (such as fixed-income arbitrage, statistical arbitrage, and pairs trading) combined with high leverage. The firm’s master hedge fund, Long-Term Capital Portfolio L.P., failed in the late 1990s, leading to a bailout by other financial institutions, under the supervision of the Federal Reserve.
The plan by John Meriweather was brilliant except he couldn’t mathematically predict one thing, the Russian default on their bonds, the human element of corruption and poor character. This is exactly what is happening to our economy again. We have projections that add up perfectly but reality is the air that decays the best made plans. Greed always breeds corruption and a weak government allows corruption to take its place. Long Term Capital was a warning we didn’t follow up on and it repeated itself in 2008 and if Romney is elected along with his greedy Tea Party attachments it will be the death of us all. What people don’t recognize in the theology of this crowd is the “me” first, disguised as a national movement of patriotism. It is like the religious right movement that tell you to block out large sections of humanity, hate what you don’t understand and tell them Jesus sent you. One brilliant group to figure out how to cover religion and greed and call both their property. Truth is it can’t be done.
Not Your Typical Atlantan
August 11th, 2012
11:48 am
@Not Right Politics….
Romney has absolutely no foothold in Michigan as he strongly opposed the automotive bailout which saved thousands upon thousands of jobs. The truth also is that Ford took the tarp stimulus as well to brace Ford Motor Credit against the SUV and housing market bubble burst!!!
Romney’s dad has more respect in Michigan that his son who relocated to Mass.
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
11:54 am
Medicare and Social Security will either go bankrupt and be gone ten years from now or we will change them radically and they will stay.
Funny how today’s conservatives tend to forget that the patron saint of modern day conservatism, Ronald Reagan, raised social security taxes to help account for the surge in spending when it was time for the baby boomers to retire. Social Security is ok for a few more decades. I don’t know if that’s the same for Medicare, but that talking point makes for great horror theater. I almost flinch every time I read that one.
Hmmmmmmm
August 11th, 2012
11:56 am
LOL @ UGA economics major….. Just go ask for your money back….
Chris Salzmann
August 11th, 2012
11:57 am
As an independent, I see this as the last nail in the coffin, for Romney. Just more stale ideas about trickle down economics that don’t pass the smell test anymore. The only people these guys benefit are the rich. Lower taxes, no estate taxes, etc for the rich (and themselves). People who are against Obama will vote for Romney anyway. The only way Romney had a chance of winning was to win over independents and Hispanics. This ticket isn’t going to do that and panders to the extreme wing of the Republican Party. Plus with Paul Ryan’s record of statements on social security, Florida and it’s seniors are going to vote for Obama/Biden. Things were going badly in the polls for Romney; it’s going to get much worse.
Rally
August 11th, 2012
12:02 pm
The only problem which is really not a problem at all is that Ryan is way too smart for the average voter that most of what he says will go right out the window of people who do not understand economics. The people who live paycheck to paycheck couldn’t balance their own checkbook if their life depended on it…so to them a Ryan pick means absolute squat. The thing I like about this ticket is to the opportunity to put Harry Reid and Pelosi finally in their place. Ryan being the VP will make him Senate Pro Tem which will make sure FINALLY that budget bills make it to the Senate floor that to me is golden!
andy
August 11th, 2012
12:04 pm
It remains unclear to me why Paul Ryan who has had a government job all his life can have the nerve to tell the rest of that we’re not entitled to the Medicare and social security that we have WORKED and PAID for.
Rally
August 11th, 2012
12:09 pm
And for those on here arguing that Ryan will take away my SS or my Medicare your already a dollar short because the system is broke you fools. It ain’t there and it is an entitlement to which you are not entitled to. The only reason you get it at all is because the government is propping you up at this time because they are flat broke. Honestly if they have to tell banks to prepare for a collapse that the government can’t help them the next time around you honestly think they are going to help you. Please…get real.
Hmmmmmmm
August 11th, 2012
12:13 pm
Let’s be honest Chris… You are NO independent…. If you have voted for Obama and vote for him again, your just another liberal. Period. Any independent voter that votes for Obama is truly putting the last nail in this country’s coffin. Romney may not be the answer to all the right reasons to fix this country, he is at least in the right direction…
Butch Cassidy (I)
August 11th, 2012
12:13 pm
Great, now maybe Ryan can implement his plan. All we need to do is get unemployment down to 2%. Forget the fact that the U.S. has NEVER had 2% unemployment, but I digress. I don’t like either party, but could the GOP at least pretend that they want to win?
P B Orr
August 11th, 2012
12:16 pm
Nope. A dour prissy snob, doesn’t help the wimpy Romney at all.
P B Orr
August 11th, 2012
12:17 pm
Hmmmmmm, the voice of sanity. You’re all traitors!! Obama is from Mars! It’s just covert racism.
Thumbody Thed
August 11th, 2012
12:17 pm
Right now he could pick anybody in the USA and I would vote for whoever is running against O’bummer.
I don’t even care if it’s Romney. I’m only voting against somebody not for someone. ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING would be an improvement on what’s sitting in the White House now.
GT
August 11th, 2012
12:20 pm
Rally the strongest support for Romney is the middle and poor white male. Growing up in the south I find this group not well versed in balancing the checkbook, as you put it. I think people recognize that Romney has had to dumb down his own message to attract this Chevrolet and Ford truck crowd. One of the messages he has not even tried to relay to them is his opposition to bailing out their beloved truck makers. When that gets out he may lose some of his base there too. I find it usually takes this Romney tribe about six months longer than the rest of us to catch up on the affairs of this country if they ever do. This car shutdown hits em where they live with trucks and NASCAR and for that reason alone they may take exception to the Romney policies. They can understand a truck not being in their driveway the rest is background noises.
P B Orr
August 11th, 2012
12:22 pm
The best thing about having a black man as president is watching the racists out there lose their minds. Lynching, persecution, and slavery are all illegal now, and they are out of options. It’s awesome!
Charles V
August 11th, 2012
12:23 pm
The Party of NO, the GOP, has said NO to everything these past two years. It didn’t matter what it was. Funny how the Republicans claim Obama has done nothing, but that statement couldn’t be more false. They’ve said no to some bills that could have created lots of jobs, see the Small Business Act, which the GOP should have been on-board with, but as predicted, they said NO. How can our country operate this way? How can the GOP say that Obama has done nothing with a straight face? Just when our country needed it the most, the GOP wasn’t willing to work with the other side. Heck, the economy is great to them, half price mansions, cheap and desperate labor, what could be better? The economy is great for the people who have money to spend. You won’t hear this from Fox News, but as a recovering GOPer, they’ve pushed me very far away/.
Tap Out
August 11th, 2012
12:24 pm
Perfect pick…just the person I was hoping for. Obama/Biden 2012
but I thought...
August 11th, 2012
12:28 pm
the GOP wanted a conservative? this guy voted lock step with “W” on everything. TARP, No Child Left Behind, expansion of medicare, etc…this guy is a RHINO.
Chris Salzmann
August 11th, 2012
12:29 pm
Hmmmmm@12:13. I voted for Bush in 2000. Obviously, people on the right have no idea how independents think. Romney also just proved it with this pick. I’m not overjoyed with Obama but I’ll vote for him over Romney/Ryan anytime of the day. Trickle down economics haven’t worked before and still won’t work. You NEED independents and Hispanics to win the White House. This certainly isn’t the ticket that’s going to do that. Let’s face it: The Republican Party has been hijacked by its extremists. During the Republican Primary, someone mentioned that why in God’s name would you pick a guy who lost to the guy who lost to Obama??? That logic still stands. You guys called Kerry a flip-flopper and an elitist??? Good Lord, Romney is that times 100!!! He has not taken a position that he has not changed. And you called Kerry an elitist for wind surfing??? I guess having a horse in Dressage now makes wind surfing look like a poor man’s sport.
Paul Ryan isn’t going to help Romney except with the extremist Republican base. Bottom line is that people who HATE Obama will vote for Romney anyway. But you aren’t going to win many converts here with this pick. The only interesting thing to watch for now is by how much this ticket loses to Obama by.
Brosephus™
August 11th, 2012
12:34 pm
The only problem which is really not a problem at all is that Ryan is way too smart for the average voter that most of what he says will go right out the window of people who do not understand economics.
Which part of it too hard for many people to understand?
Is it the part where he claims it’s a “Path to Prosperity” to get control over our deficits and debt, yet it doesn’t present a balanced budget for at least 20-30 years?
Is it the part that projects the debt limit to exceed $23 Trillion within the next ten years, even though the current GOP threw a tantrum when Obama asked for an increase in the debt limit last year? Remember, the GOP House unanimously backed Paul’s budgets for 2 years running.
Or, is it the part where the rosy outlooks were projected based on the US having an unemployment rate below 3%, even though the US hasn’t seen such a low percentage since 1953? You also have to remember that, since 1953, the US total population, including the workforce, has exploded in numbers.
Let’s be honest Chris… You are NO independent…. If you have voted for Obama and vote for him again, your just another liberal. Period.
And how exactly do you know what his political leanings are? Responses, such as yours, tend to be a turn-off for people who are not beholden to either political party. The whole “either you’re with us, or you’re against us” mindset probably keeps more than a few independents for voting for this current day manifestation of the GOP.
Painful Truth
August 11th, 2012
12:39 pm
Paul Ryan is the “brain” of the GOP Congress. You know, the Congress with a 13% approval rating.
Obama has this election in the bag. Easy win.
GT
August 11th, 2012
12:42 pm
You take the haters out of the Republican Party and Obama wins by 90%. The GOP are forced to the mats by voodoo logic because the real smell in the room is racism which is still not an acceptable argument unless you are in the KKK. Romney gets a jury stacked with young white uneducated males, sponsored by rich conniving Wall Street and gambling interest, who can convince this pool of unwashed, gravity is a temporary event not to be bought into, a socialistic plot by a socialistic God evenly distributed among undeserving masses. How do we keep a steady supply of voters? Break the public school systems and you have massed produced your voting public, do it by corruption and pay your local representatives from the money you divert from the rightful purpose of educations and the welfare of the state. Then as you entertain in your mansion paid for by unethical methods you have made legal at the expense of pensions and investment funds and tell the world what a great country we live in and you certainly mean it as I am sure Jessie James did too.
Steve
August 11th, 2012
12:57 pm
As a progressive, I think the nail has been pounded into the lid of the coffin with this pick. Two out of touch wealthy white guys who want to lower taxes on the wealthy and in the same breathe gut beloved social safety net programs all in the name of “lowering the deficits.”
This, folks, ain’t gonna fly. Romney’s poll numbers will temporarily jump, then in Sept-Nov, Obama’s polls widen. Slam, dunk, it’s ovah!
P B Orr
August 11th, 2012
1:01 pm
I wonder if anyone will mention that the last prominent Ayn Rander to attempt destruction of the American and world economy was Alan Greenspan.
richard
August 11th, 2012
1:06 pm
They claim that those over 55 should not be concerned. As medicare comes to an end, those of us over 55 who they say will still be covered will be left with a system in the midst of being shut down. As the years go by the system will be squeezed because doctors will drop out of medicare and with less participants there will be less political clout need to continue your coverage. So if you are over 55 be very very worried with this plan because as it shrinks you likely will be thrown to the wayside.
cc
August 11th, 2012
1:11 pm
Ryan is a great choice! Governor Romney defied the conventional political rules and picked someone he thought was actually good for America. The decision was not a political decision. After nearly four years of the Beloved Dictator, it is refreshing to see someone actually thinking of the country when making a decision.
givememyfairshare
August 11th, 2012
1:15 pm
it doesn’t matter who Romney picked, the libs are going to push their CNN, MSNBC talking points. Besides Obama has already told us Romney is a lying, tax cheating felon who also happens to be a murderer.
cc
August 11th, 2012
1:17 pm
“Obama’s polls widen. Slam, dunk, it’s ovah!”
I wouldn’t bet the farm on it, but as a ‘progressive’ (read ‘communist’) I’m sure that you would bet everybody else’s farm on it.
We will see in November. I personally think it will look very much like 2010 to you ‘progressives’.
Shine
August 11th, 2012
1:18 pm
He’s a kook’s kook and his voting record looks like Barney Frank’s. This is the tea party champion? gag
claytondawg
August 11th, 2012
1:23 pm
If it takes TWO people who have business expertise, then I say a Romney-Ryan ticket will do the trick to help move this country into a more economic power. No, I’m not a rich business person; I am a retired teacher who believes this country has not been achieving its own ideals. Looks to me as if Ryan has a good idea in placing Medicare into the hands of some private companies. The government’s ideas usually fail, so why not try something else.
pippa's hiney
August 11th, 2012
1:23 pm
I can’t wait to see Ryan tear hair plugs Biden a new one.
sid
August 11th, 2012
1:25 pm
Great pick! As a lib, he’s the one I respect the most. Staying away from the crazy train (bachmann,palin,west,newt,et al) is a wise move. Cons always lose me on social issues. If they focus on numbers-they’ll nab alot of independents. However, Romney’s a dud, so the pick is mute.
D man
August 11th, 2012
1:27 pm
I love the pick and enjoyed his introductory speech this morning. Well done Mitt. Now go fix the problems of our great country…
Oh'man
August 11th, 2012
1:29 pm
Anybody who Romney chooses will be the same status-quo. If you guys actually think there is a difference between a Democrat and a Republican you need to change your priority and avoid politics. There is more of a difference between what I think in the morning to the afternoon than between a Democrat and a Republican.
Jane
August 11th, 2012
1:30 pm
The Ryan pick means Romney is willing to talk to Americans as though they’re adults. We’ll see if they are.
Bobby
August 11th, 2012
1:31 pm
IMHO, if Romney/Ryan win, it represents the downfall of the USA. Neither have any interest in middle class americans and their voting records whether looking at civil rights, medical rights or tax reform are not in the best interest of anyone other than the monied in this country. Those of us who work for our achievements will be in serious trouble. I’m not impressed with the GOP ticket and will still vote for President Obama.
marko
August 11th, 2012
1:32 pm
I feel sorry for the liberals and their knee jerk “tax the rich” reaction. While it does play well to small minded people, the simple fact is there are not enough “rich” that even taxing them at 100% (assuming they keep working) to pay the government bills. If we don’t fix spending EVERYONE, rich or poor, needs to pay more taxes. That’s the choice – you want a bigger government YOU are going to have to pay more. YOU, not just other people.
Realtycheck
August 11th, 2012
1:32 pm
Wonder how many Tea Party goobers will vote for him thinking he is Ryan Paul. Romney is a combination Gordon Gecko and Draco Malfoy. Anyone who would vote for him deserves what they will get.
Jack
August 11th, 2012
1:33 pm
Ryan’s an excellent choice. But then I’d've voted for Romney if he’d picked Mortimer Snerd. We have to get the Marxist out of office before he has a chance to futher socialize this country.
jim
August 11th, 2012
1:34 pm
The ignorant liberals have no idea what the Ryan plan is and continue to spread misinformation. There are NO changes to Medicare or Social Security for those already receiving if or born before 1957. Of course the liberal spin machine will lie about that just like everything else. Ryan is a great pick since he is serious and visionary. Obama has no vision whatsoever except to continue to push the US towards a socialst European state. I serioulsy don’t know how anyone who has half a brain could vote for Obama and his trillion dollar deficits. They obviously don’t care about the future of America and only about getting nanny state protections and $$$ for themselves.
Dr. C.
August 11th, 2012
1:35 pm
Paul Ryan, though a smart man and a believer in free markets, is not a supporting candidate. Romney needed someone to add charisma to the ticket. The best choices were Condi Rice and Marco Rubio. Ryan’s lack of charisma and name recognition will help the ticket fade into obscurity. Ryan would be better off staying in Congress where he will make a big impression over time and attain the stature of a presidential candidate in his own right. I could see Ryan running for President in 2020.
Charles V
August 11th, 2012
1:36 pm
Oh’man your comments are the most ignorant I’ve read thus far on this. Congratulations.
It DOES matter, and this election will touch every person in this country in some way or another. And, there’s a HUGE difference between the two. What’s the Happy Gilmore quote, “We are now dumber after having read your comments”
What he said
August 11th, 2012
1:38 pm
Ryan’s attempts over several years to remake the normally untouchable Medicare program — he’d allow those under 55 to leave Medicare and instead buy their own insurance with government assistance — passed the House but was assailed by Democrats and died in the Senate. The plan was even criticized by Newt Gingrich as “right-wing social engineering.” :::::: will you really vote for this guy?
RB
August 11th, 2012
1:39 pm
I love the Ryan pick, I’m a Obama supporter. This will make it much easier for Pres. Obama to be re-elected.
Oh'man
August 11th, 2012
1:40 pm
Charles V, how is this election any more different than any other election? Obama policies has been a direct correlation to the Bush adminstration. There are only subtle differences between the two but on the major things they both agree! Its not hard to realize that, just throw away all your preconceived notions about politics and start addressing the candidate based on his policies not his character. Policies will dictate character.
alex
August 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
What a great team!…Can’t wait to vote for them!
Gatekeeper
August 11th, 2012
1:44 pm
@GT August 11th, 2012 11:46 am
Your “comments” are copied and pasted straight from Wikipedia. Cite your sources rather than attempting to appear “knowledgeable”. Sheesh!
Fat Tony
August 11th, 2012
1:45 pm
If the VP choice doesn’t matter then why is it commonly assumed McCain lost because of Palin? It matters for several reasons:
- It’s the non-incumbent candidate’s first “Presidential” decision
- It clearly demonstrates the platform he is taking into the fight down the home stretch
- It complete his election team. No only the VP candidate, but key surrogates can now fully engage.
- VP candidate hails from a battlegound state when dems/unions just received a smack-down in the recall attempt.
- Excite the base without running independent off
As an independent I’m quite happy with this selection. With Ryan there will be virtually no talk of a social agenda. It really is “the economy stupid”.
Romney/Ryan will provide a stark choice for the future of America. In summary:
Obama/Biden: Government centric managed decline of America (to European levels) with a strong dependency culture (i.e nanny state), which includes a strong dose of crony capitalism.
Romney/Ryan: A pro-growth approach that counts on the free market and exceptionalism of Americans while having a responsible government. Less stifling regulation and less taxes will allow Americans to create/grow their businesses.
I’m sure the Republicans will have proposals to make an independent cringe. However, I get that daily from Obama/Biden.
In the spirit of the Olympics, let the games begin!
tlhanger
August 11th, 2012
1:46 pm
Finally, someone who understands a budget, just like all of us. Not out to steal our hard earned money and then chastise us by saying “You didn’t build that business!”
hood
August 11th, 2012
1:52 pm
The only thing Rob-Me knows is how to rob the poor and give the proceed to himself the rich, the death squad and the mafia. He is not presidential material.
AU Liberal in ATL
August 11th, 2012
1:53 pm
As a liberal Democrat, I love it. He’s an ideological nut case who I doubt could win a national election. I think the republicans know they won’t win this thing but they think he’s probably their best bet for 2016. This is about getting him ready for that. On the other hand, he is cute as a button. Maybe he’ll do a spread in Playgirl. That’s about the only thing he could sell that I’d consider buying.
Albert
August 11th, 2012
1:57 pm
I didn’t know Jack Kennedy personally, but I was a boy when he was President, and I have seen film of him speaking since then as well as heard recordings of him. Paul Ryan is no Jack Kennedy.
And JFK would never have dreamed of dismantling Medicare. I wonder how many people over 50 will vote for Romney now that Ryan’s on the ticket.
As one previous commenter said, Obama and Biden all the way!
Devil's Advocate
August 11th, 2012
1:58 pm
Another “Game Change!” (wink, wink)
Spud
August 11th, 2012
1:58 pm
The current guy has no idea what true leadership is. Hoping for change! Ryan is a fine pick. Come on November.
JW
August 11th, 2012
1:59 pm
How sad to listen to the poor slobs on here complaining about losing their government benefits e.g. social security and medicare. Have you nothing but the government to provide for you since you have no brains to support yourselves? How about taking care of yourself by being a responsible human being? It really does tell you about the mentality of America in 2012. I’ll vote for the Democrats because they give me “free” stuff that the greedy rich can pay for. They owe it to your for being such loser right?
Devil's Advocate
August 11th, 2012
2:02 pm
Was Romney thinking, “Revenge of the Nerds?”
barb
August 11th, 2012
2:08 pm
why would you flock to the nominee for Vise President. They don’t do anything
ms mayers
August 11th, 2012
2:13 pm
Great pic.
Ga for Ron Paul!
August 11th, 2012
2:13 pm
Ron Paul 2012!
Tony
August 11th, 2012
2:14 pm
WHILE RYAN IS A SMART MAN, HIM ON THE TICKET KILLS THE INDEPENDENT VOTE FOR ROMNEY….WHILE HE EXCITES THE BASE, THE GOP IS SMALLER DUE TO LACK OF ATTENTION OF HISPANICS, BLACKS, AND OTHERS. SO THE BASE ALONE WONT DO IT.
THE RYAN PLAN IS GOING TO KILL THE TICKET IN STATES LIKE FLORIDA AFTER THE DEMS SPEND A LOT OF MONEY HIGHLIGHTING THE PLAN (REMEMBER…EVEN REPUBLICANS WERE RUNNING FROM THE PLAN WHEN IT WAS 1ST INTRODUCED).
THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH ROMNEY IS TRUST. HE HAS SAID ANY AND EVERYTHING TO GET SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS. AND WHILE SOME HARD NOSED REPUBLICANS SAY HIS TAXES ARE A NON ISSUES, IT SCARES ME THAT HE WONT RELEASE THEM.
AS AN INDEPENDENT, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ROMNEY AND RYAN HAVE TO DEAL WITH. IF NOT HANDLED QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY, OBAMA WILL WIN AGAIN BY 5-7 PTS NATIONALLY!
Teresa
August 11th, 2012
2:14 pm
because they are cute don’t make them fit to run this country. we barely know any of these guys!
mason
August 11th, 2012
2:15 pm
Spike Lee 2012!
Billy
August 11th, 2012
2:15 pm
The Ryan pick is one of excellence. Medicare will have to be reformed or it will fail. All serious people on this subject freely acknowledge this. Liberal losers will whine, but reasonable people will applaud this VP choice. With three years of abject failure from PBO and the Dim brain trust in trying to turn this country into the next USSR, I believe the November election will be Romney’s to lose. PBO and the Dims have failed–it’s time to throw them out on their ear and elect people who know what’s going on, know what works, not haters of our system and beliefs–all they want to do is hate and do so by destroying this country. Kick the leftist haters out!
Ayn Rand was Right
August 11th, 2012
2:15 pm
Intelligence will appeal to the American’s that will save this country. Good looks and an effusive personality will appeal to the idiots who get out the vote.
Ga for Ron Paul!
August 11th, 2012
2:17 pm
“Choosing between Obama and Romney is like choosing between brushing your teeth with Coke or Pepsi.” Ron Paul 2012!
Really?
August 11th, 2012
2:18 pm
And, most importantly, Ryan was voted Prom King in high school. Yeah!
Thomas
August 11th, 2012
2:20 pm
Introduced as the next President of the United States, it could actually come to pass when Social Security bottoms out and a Government not totally prepared for the revolt of the masses.
Say Whut
August 11th, 2012
2:21 pm
Won’t matter. Romney is a weak candidate who flips on any issue that might hurt him with Republicans. The only thing he is for is himself. Most Americans never heard of Paul Ryan– an no, he is not Nolan’s son.
Devil's Advocate
August 11th, 2012
2:24 pm
Quiz – What highly respected, intellectual republican called thePaul Ryan plan, “Right wing social engineering?”
SisterSarah
August 11th, 2012
2:24 pm
@JW
Just so you know, the majority of people getting all this “FREE STUFF” from the government ” e.g. social security and medicare” spent their entire WORKING lives CONTRIBUTING A PORTION OF THEIR SALARY TO FUND said “free stuff” in the form of PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS!
But please, by ALL MEANS, don’t let those FACTS and REALITY stand in the way of a good delusion that as stated before right wingers seemingly find a way to take to new levels each passing minute. Yep @Brosephus, THAT is the turn-off you so eloquently spoke of earlier.
Wurider05
August 11th, 2012
2:25 pm
I am a republican but swear that the whole political game is just a sham. Of all the possible choices this maybe the worst one. Not that there is anything wrong with Ryan but his is the boogeyman that wants to take away medicare from our seniors (at least that’s how he is going to be portrayed). The Obama camp has to be licking their chops at the opportunity to go after this guy. We may never know if better people turned the offer down but Obama is campaign is pushing class warfare and it seems like two candidates were hand delivered to him to help him get his point across. It all feels like one big manipulation in the american people.
Has Obama said anything about what he wants to do in his 2nd term? With no reelection to worry about we may see what his real agenda is.
Tony B
August 11th, 2012
2:26 pm
Well, if people hate Medicare and want it replaced with a voucher program… then Paul Ryan is great!!
I don’t think that is what the majority of America wants. It is sad that older Republican voters that want Medicare, may never learn the truth of Ryan’s views if they only get news from a Republican News Station. The truth is, most of Americans do not know who Ryan is yet. But don’t worry, after the President’s team and more importantly, Saturday Night Live, get down educating the voting public, there will be no doubt where Ryan stands.
RLP
August 11th, 2012
2:27 pm
Lord help us all! If these two get into office the poor and middle class will be fighting in the streets.
Gloryb
August 11th, 2012
2:27 pm
I watched the sad speech given by Romney and his counterpart, Ryan and I must say that the scare tactics continue. In all the rhetoric, there was no mention of the foreign policies and victories that have been gained as a result of President Obama’s directive and administration. There was no mention of Bush, who everyone wants to distance themselves from….there is mention of Reagan, but who cares? Even on television, these people seem unreal, seem disconnected. President and First Lady Obama are warm and engaging and bring you into their realm and make you feel like one of them. Republican = more $$$ for rich, less $$$ for the middle class and working poor, and less $$$ for the social services like Medicare and Medicaid. Can’t wait until November to cast my vote for President Obama and Vice-President Biden.
K
August 11th, 2012
2:28 pm
Smittie and pauley what a pair of losers and slime bags.
Seniors kiss your medicare and social security good BYE..
God help us..
Re-Elect President OBAMA
rtp
August 11th, 2012
2:30 pm
Rubio or Christie would have done it…
clayfield
August 11th, 2012
2:35 pm
Great pick. He is a responsible grown up in a city of whiners and spenders. Will be a great VP for 8 years and then pres for 8 more.
Devil's Advocate
August 11th, 2012
2:35 pm
I am an Non-Partisan independent voter, and a senior citizen. I am disappointed, and very concerned about Romney-Ryan.
Devil's Advocate
August 11th, 2012
2:38 pm
I am still waiting for the real Mitt Romney to show up. I don’t believe what you see is the real Mitt.
DennyR
August 11th, 2012
2:41 pm
Judging from many of the comments here, the current occupant of the White House along with most of the press in this country have certainly done an admirable job of turning many people against the rich. But it’s the rich who pay the bills in this country. It’s the rich who start companies, employ millions of people, give back to their communities, and pay the lion’s share of the taxes in our country. Yet all of that is not good enough, is it? After they pay a good part of their income to help keep this country going, we give them hell for sailing on their yachts, driving their fancy cars, and living in their mansions. Someone please explain to me how being envious of the rich has helped your personal situation. Instead, get off your butt and go build or invent something. The next time Obama stands up and says that we all need to pay our fair share, do you think that ANYONE in the press will ever ask him how it is fair that 44% of this country pays no income tax at all?
FNUS
August 11th, 2012
2:44 pm
Obama has had almost 4 years to be proactive about the economy and do something to bring jobs back to America! Instead he has done the hand-wringing and blaming of Bush instead. Really, other than cutting Medicare now to Seniors now to help fund his OBAMACARE, what is his claim to fame? Just as with athletes who talk trash, most onlookers don’t mind as long as you can back it up! Now he wants to start his trash talk about Mitt’s pick of Ryan as his VP running mate. YAK YAK YAK!! If you had done anything but whine about what others did or didn’t do the last four years or was more concerned about jobs creation and the economy instead of the gay marriage debate I might be willing to give you another shot! Obama is gone in NOVEMBER if I have anything to do with it! YOU ran on change and hope in in 2007. I have no more hope you have the ability to lead and only the change in my ashtray to show for that decision! The Navy Seals took care of one threat to America. Let’s remove the other threat to America in November!!!
Devil's Advocate
August 11th, 2012
2:49 pm
Clearly, some people on here doesn’t know that the president cannot create jobs, or pass legislation to create jobs. It is too bad that Civics is no longer a mandatory course in schools.
JW
August 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
@ sistersarah – how is life in the projects treating you? Hope you are eating well off the food stamps I’m paying for.
If you knew anything, which you obvioulsy don’t, the fact of the matter is the vast majority of people draw 10 time more out of Social Security and Medicare compared to what they contribute. It’s a pay as you go system, there in no trust fund dip s%#t! Yes, look it up! Social Security was set up when the average life expectancy was 66. People drew off it for a few years if they were lucky but now you have people retiring in their 50’s and early 60’s and living well in to their 80’s and 90’s taking taxpayer money for 30 years or more. That was never the intent of the program. A couple of hospital stays will suck up a life time of payroll taxes. But what do you care when you’re not paying for it.
Manny
August 11th, 2012
3:10 pm
I don’t like the pick. I would have picked Rubio or someone else. Paul Ryan authored the Ryan Plan and you will hear it a great deal on the campaign trail. It gives the Democrats to much ammunition that it’s pathetic.
I mean, why get someone who authored a controversial economic plan as your VP during an economic election? It doesn’t make sense, especially when you see that Independents (whom I am one of) thought it favored the rich too much?
cc
August 11th, 2012
3:12 pm
OK, you liberals, ‘progressives’, socialists and communists, take your best shot. Maybe it is too late for intelligence and competency in what used to be America.
I can’t understand how anyone with a smidgen of intelligence and the ability to reason could vote for Obama and the vice-idiot Biden. Obama has had an extremely successful first term – for himself and communism, but not for America. He is well on his way to collapsing the economic system, but the parasites continue to say, “Give us more!” He will oblige them because it furthers his objective to do so.
You can’t spend your way to prosperity.
You can’t borrow yourself out of debt.
A country can do neither of the above.
If you follow Obama, he will lead you to and through the gates of hell. When you see the fires, it will be too late to turn back.
2012 may well be the last free election held in America if Obama is re-elected. Make your choice wisely.
SisterSarah
August 11th, 2012
3:13 pm
I guess you didn’t catch in my earlier post where I stated I fell into the 28% tax bracket hunh @JW? don’t know about you, but my 3200 sq ft home sits on about an acre of land, so suffice it to say I’m no “project” dweller. But, if living in an alternate universe suits you, it sure as h377 suits me. And with that, you can kiss my 4$$ whenever you are ready.
Joshua
August 11th, 2012
3:22 pm
So Romney is hoping to win a national election by pandering to the super far-right? Ryan has a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.
SisterSarah
August 11th, 2012
3:28 pm
You know someone is mentally deficient when they gladly swizzle and swallow “we need less government” and “government is the problem” from the guy (or gal) who fights tooth and nail to GET INTO and/or STAY IN GOVERNMENT!! lmao
A “nation” of idiots…
FNUS
August 11th, 2012
3:28 pm
@ Devil’s Advocate! You’re right! This president didn’t! He ran on promises to and you are crazy as a loon if you don’t think the president cannot create jobs! What about his “shovel ready plan”? That was supposed to create jobs but failed miserably but a lot of tax-payer money was spent? Where did it all go? Let’s talk about the “Stimulus Package”? How did that work out? Obama has done nothing but spend spend spend! I know when I don’t have any money the key to correcting that is just keep spending hoping that if I go red enough eventually it will look black! NOT. Even big business that once supported him has started running for cover!!! Even his GE goldenboy,Jeffrey Immelt WHO HEADED his jobs council has flipped.Obama created the JOBS CZAR position by executive order! So maybe YOU NEED to get some facts straight before wagging your finger at anyone!!!
Sarah
August 11th, 2012
3:31 pm
Dear UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR…..My advise to you is to change schools if you are learning that in Economics. Either that or you don’t know how to read and should take a comprehensive reading course.
With warm regards……A real Economics Major 1987
thinkingman
August 11th, 2012
3:34 pm
Democrats call his budget plan extreme and radical. Maybe because the economy is such a mess we need some extreme ideas. At least he produced a plan something the democrats havent done in awhile. He appears to be an intelligent and self made man. A big plus for the GOP!!!!!
jim
August 11th, 2012
3:36 pm
Just a disgraceful, embarrassing ticket. Romney and Ryan. The party of the 1%. The party of the millionaires. The party of the extremist Republicans and the Tea Party that wants to destroy government and destroy the middle class. If these idiots hate government so much, then why are they running for government office? A truly disgraceful, disgusting ticket.
JW
August 11th, 2012
3:37 pm
Too bad sistersarah that you can’t refute my point – that social security recipients take out way more than they ever put in. That the system is going broke and people need to learn to provide for themselves instead of taking from others and expecting handouts from productive citizens. Facts and truths are stubborn things which liberals like you simply ignore and refuse to deal with. Unfortunately trillion dollar deficits are real and will have consequences. You may have a 3200 square foot house but your mentality is still in the ghetto.
Buzzy
August 11th, 2012
3:45 pm
I feel more energized than ever to vote for Obama. Ryan is a radical and his understanding of economics is poor.
The U.S. is already close to being in a recession. Massive cuts to the federal deficit and to federal spending at this particular time would plunge our country into a severe recession or even a depression.
I am not thrilled about Obama, but I consider some of Ryan’s proposals too extreme and I could not support this ticket. For the record, I usually support the Democrats.
Steve
August 11th, 2012
3:46 pm
Not even worth debating in here. Romney was already losing before this pick, and this pick clinched it. If he had gone with Christy or Rubio, then maybe things would be different. Sorry, conservatives, this is NOT your year
Go home and nurse your wounds and pray things don’t keep improving as they are for the next four years as you may see a President Hillary Clinton in 2016.
You blew it with Bush/Cheney, and you are paying the price for that for a very long time.
Sandra
August 11th, 2012
3:56 pm
Better than Biden. Even though I did not vote for Obama….he could of picked a better vp candidate.
FNUS
August 11th, 2012
4:03 pm
Well of course people get more out of SS than they put in! DUH! It runs on the principle that it is over the long haul. I have paid into SS now for 40 years. I have also put a lot less money into my 401K than what my porfolio indicates. IT has grown based on earnings from the investments my advisors picked for me as they are professionals. Not fortune tellers but very good at forecasting. If the DEMS had left the SS money alone and not voted to use it as part of the GENERAL FUND, SS would still be making money. Money has been borrowed against IOU’s that are due but this administration continues to spend money they do not have and will continue that TRADEMARK if re-elected.One question everyone has to ask themselves>ARE YOU PERSONALLY better off than you were 4 years ago? Hope and change.Just anothe cliche’
SisterSarah
August 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
Let’s DEAL with your “point” @JW (which you really have none) which I why I didn’t bother initially. No fear here. It is a lost cause with people like you though because you only care to use rhetoric to try to support a silly political agenda. You are not a friend of logic at all.
Social Security and Medicare are socialized programs for a reason. No different than any other such programs. The majority of people pay automobile and homeowner’s insurance over their lifetimes and typically only end up drawing a FRACTION of what they have paid in premiums over their lifetimes. Plus when they do “withdraw”, they get to pay higher premiums. You desire to move the goalpost because people are living a little longer now? And by the way, not everyone lives into their 80s and 90s. In fact, a great deal of people don’t even make it into their 60s these days. My point, the risk so to speak is “socialized”. I know the word burns your 4$$. The congress has had multiple GENERATIONS now to get this thing turned around. But you know what? It only became a “crisis” toward the end of the Bush presidency because of the chaos our economy plunged into after 8 years of his administration’s policies that saw us fighting bogus wars, operating a rigged economy that resulted in EXTRACTION of the middle class and a host of other things.So you need to revise history now. “STILL in the ghetto”?? Oh, so you KNOW me now? You are even more stupid than I thought you were. I guess you have to figure out something to say since you had to learn that I’m actually financing the broke 4$$ losers in your family, and trust me you do have some I am sure. And I’m a “lib” too!! Boy @Brosephus is so right.
Chipper Doodle
August 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
God help all of us if Romney is elected. Ryan is, well, just crazy. Crazy math on those ideas of his.
GT GRAD
August 11th, 2012
4:12 pm
Great Selection!
Any open-minded person will realize this guy is just what we need and that he definitely makes decisions based on what is in the best interest of America!
haha
August 11th, 2012
4:13 pm
haha haha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
ha ha ha ha. i just can’t stop laughing. ha ha ha.
Buzzy
August 11th, 2012
4:28 pm
@SisterSarah: If George Bush had privatized SS in 2004 like he wanted to do, there would never have been another Republican elected as president. The stock market has put in a lackluster performance since 2001. Furthermore, I do not trust those “friendly” tax supported, bailed out bankers and investment houses on Wall Street with our SS money.
I agree with the comments above that Ryan is a radical and he does not have a good understanding of economics. Romney says he will not be using the Ryan budget proposal, but on the other hand he refuses to give details of his budget “until after he’s elected”. As usual, you can’t get a straight answer from Romney.
B Riddle
August 11th, 2012
4:31 pm
Anybody will be an improvement over those two clueless clowns in office now!!
Democrat
August 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
I LIKE IT; I LIKE IT; I LIKE IT! Two great, vanilla men. Very impressive.
Susu
August 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
Picking Ryan only solidifies the Anyone But Obama Republican votes and will do nothing to attract moderates/independents. ‘About as brilliant as McCain choosing Palin. Bad move for the GOP.
Ayn Rand
August 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
Great pick; I’ve taught him well!
Big D
August 11th, 2012
5:17 pm
The Liberal policies of tax, tax. tax, spend, spend, spend are failures. If they worked then California, Detroit and Greece would be super powers but they are not! My first vote in
1952 was for Ike and since then it has been plain to see that the government and big spending just feed off each other. Yet, my biggest fear is what is happening in America today. We have become a conflict society and it is getting worse not better. We cannot survive this horrible economic situation unless everyone joins together as Americans not Democrats and Republicans. The rhetoric is becomming more and more harsh and hate is a word passed around with more frenzy each day. It should be easy for us to see that what we are doing is not solving the problem. Common scense tells me that unless we
balance the budget and bring spending under control we will go under as a nation. The blame has to be on the failed policies of the past and admiting that we cannot finance the world should be the major task of our elected leaders…. except we have no leaders!
Yell and scream all you want about your rights and wants but that will get you nothing in the history of all the nations who have proceeded us. It’s really simple. Don’t spend more that you make. If you can’t afford something don’t buy it. Use good judgement and work together as Americans not for a party. It may be tough times will mean we forego programs that we would like but can’t afford. Never operate on the assumption that the money doesn’t matter because we “owe it to ourselves.” Shape up Americans!
JeanE
August 11th, 2012
5:20 pm
Great pick, Mitty!! I think it’s an excellent choice, well thought out, unlike the Palin choice of McCain. Don’t people realize that current programs are unsustainable as is??? Hard decisions and choices have to be made, Romney/Ryan will be ready to lead and make those choices to lead our nation out of the abyss that Barry Socialist Obama has dragged us down into. Go Mitty!!!
K
August 11th, 2012
5:33 pm
All the horrors that the GOP predicted if Obama was elected never happened.
However, with Rmoney and Ryan, you have the makings of it.
This just seals the Obama win in November.
President OBAMA 2012
Nail
August 11th, 2012
5:54 pm
The libs are scared so they resort to petty attacks and name calling without researching the facts. CNN and other liberal media outlets are their main sources of info. And it doesn’t matter what you say to them, they are ALWAYS going to think they are right! Obama is going down, they know it and we know it. Ryan helps balance this ticket.
To add insult to injury, Georgia will, once again, go to the Republicans no matter what liberal Atlanta metro does or thinks!
Do Your Homework Before You Cheer
August 11th, 2012
5:57 pm
Fellow religious conservatives, Rep. Ryan cites “Atlas Shrugged” as a major influence on his thinking. Please do some research on this book and it’s attacks on the idea of having a faith before you cheer this VP pick too loudly. I’m not convinced he really aligns with the religious values we hold dear.
Miss J
August 11th, 2012
6:22 pm
Wow.
What happened to the Diversity.
Ryan will add the glue Romney needs to keep the conservative base in take, but Romney really missed an opportunity to add some diversity to the Republican ticket…
I believe this pick was simply to assure the conservative base….
Bottom line …I think the end result will be a wash… I don’t think this pick will hurt Romney but I don’t think it will help him winning more Hispanic and Women voters….
On a scale of 1 to 10 I give this pick a 5….
M
August 11th, 2012
6:28 pm
Jay Bookman and Mike Luckovich just wet their liberal panties!! It’s time to come out of the closet
AD
August 11th, 2012
6:52 pm
Enter your comments here
What Newt Gingrich thinks of Ryan
August 11th, 2012
6:53 pm
So Ryan is ok with social engineering.
Ryan’s attempts over several years to remake the normally untouchable Medicare program — he’d allow those under 55 to leave Medicare and instead buy their own insurance with government assistance — passed the House but was assailed by Democrats and died in the Senate. The plan was even criticized by Newt Gingrich as “right-wing social engineering.”
red herring
August 11th, 2012
6:57 pm
paul ryan is a great pick for VP—-an even better pick for POTUS. we need to get the taxpayers back in charge and the folks not wanting to work for a living back off their couches and out from in front of their t.v.. the nation needs to go back to work and with the present socialist in office they will not need to—-if we don’t force them off the couch they will stay there. limit welfare to a maximum of two types (including EITC). if on two types of welfare then they should both be reduced amounts.
AD
August 11th, 2012
7:00 pm
Many of those individuals currently in the middle (say, 50% of the population), for some unknown reason, seem to idolize the upper 25%. Under a Romney/Ryan administration, these people stand a much greater chance of dropping into what is presently the lowest 25% than they ever do of rising into the upper 25% (or even remaining in the mid-range). Either that, or the populace of Georgia, and the readership of this newspaper, consists of a larger than average population of the upper crust of the economy – Something I seriously doubt…
FNUS
August 11th, 2012
7:03 pm
You know all politicians are rich.Lefty Liberals,Righty conservatives and hover well above us when it comes to knowing exactly what the American people really need. Each party tells the constituency they serve what they want to HEAR to get their vote. No one candidate is going to TRULY represent your political or religious views.We all Monday morning quarterback as if we could actually do any better! How many of you manage people? How many of them are you able to satisfy 100% of the time? How many agree with all your decisions? How many of them think they can do a better job than you? Multiply that by 10’s of millions and what do you have? The job of President of the United States. How many promises do you think he has to make to how many different people,organizations,causes BEFORE he took office? How long before one promise conflicts with another? Eventually people realize the smoke and mirrors can no longer hide the flaws of a man that is overwhelmed and out of his league. He was groomed many many years ago to be President by people with an agenda that was just as flawed. The experiment failed. Let’s move on.
Oh My
August 11th, 2012
7:50 pm
Romney didn’t pick Ryan, Darth Vader, our X Vice President picked Ryan. Cheney is running the Republican show, you have to be asleep not to know that. It wasn’t too long ago when Romney went to visit the Warmonger and he then told Romney who would be his VP pick. Cheney also said a few days ago that he worshiped the ground Ryan walked on or something like that, so there you go.
These Republicans are off their rockers if they think the Sheep will fall for the same failed Policy’s of the Past Administrations of G.W Bush, going back to Reagan’s trickle down, which was really trickle up to the very wealthiest. Republicans spent like drunken fools and were utter failures at there jobs and almost brought this country to it’s knees with their Warmongering spend thrift ways.
Those Republican administrations were bad enough but these Republican extremist’s who now hold public office seats in congress and around the various states are and will be the downfall of this country if Romney and Ryan get elected and those cretins in congress and else where keep their seats. So therefore,
NO THANKS, it will be a cold day in H/// before I ever vote for a Republican again.
Republican’s FOR OBAMA 2012
Thomas
August 11th, 2012
10:06 pm
Social Security is a ponzi scheme that is run by our Government. Our Government is scrambling to make the preparations for the chaotic mess they will run into when they come clean with the American SHEEP! It will make no difference which political party is in control at that time because a state of emergency will be declared and the revolution will begin.
terry
August 11th, 2012
11:12 pm
Ryan is the only adult in D.C.
He is the only person that understands how broke the U.S. is & willing to do something about it. He is a home run and has the other side quaking in their boots. No one knows economic & fiscal issues like him.
If the Libs hate him it must be a good choice
August 11th, 2012
11:22 pm
He’s a good choice of many. The public doesn’t have the stomach for what has to be done to get this country back on track, we are weak and don’t like tough choices. Far too many parasites that vote. God help us if Obama gets another 4. Jimmy Carter has to be thrilled though. Obama makes him look like Thomas Jefferson.
Joesnopy
August 11th, 2012
11:56 pm
People I do not feel the excitement from the right. I guess the GOP forgot about the 2010 election where they scared Grandmom well it is time to scare grandmom again but this time it will not be a lie.
CG
August 12th, 2012
12:05 am
Anything is better than Obama. In four years he has accomplished nothing. He definitely can’t run on his record. Now he appears to be trying to run a campaign on class warfare and being the celebrity president. I would like to hear about the issues and what each candidate will do. Paul Ryan said more in his speech than either canidate has said in months. Obama is just not qualified to run the country.
Joesnopy
August 12th, 2012
12:30 am
Obama has done great things. He helped save the US from falling off the cliff. I guess all the GOP has short memories. Everything is back to normal except for employment and if you go back to 2007 when the nutty right was running McCain who I voted for before he made his VP pick you will see the GOP saying it will take 10 years to bring back jobs to normal. All you nutty right wing people need to do is look at what fixnews oh I mean foxnews was saying about jobs in 2007. So if we go by what the GOP said in 2007 then Obama has done his job. It does not matter now because Mitt just gave the election to Obama.
Harold
August 12th, 2012
1:22 am
Liberals are too cowardly and uninformed to make good honest decisions. They do not undestand that the country is going broke and unsustainable entitlement programs are the key driver. Don’t fault them for they do not understand the predicament we are in. It’s only free money they are after. For liberals, government is their “god” from which all good things($$$) flow. My only hope is that at least 51% of Americans still believe in the principles this country was founded upon. Blacks, hispanics and liberal whites will soon be a large enough percentage of the population to form a liberal majority at which point all hope will be lost. It’s only a matter of time before the country as a whole turns in to California.
TBEAR
August 12th, 2012
8:59 am
Here is what I don’t understand about those “Obama Haters” and adamant Rommney supporters. No one seems to remember that prior to the Bush administration the US economy was strong. For those of you don’t remember – this was the Clinton administration – a Democratic president. During the next 8 years, the Republican de-regulation caused a collapse in our economy. No one was unaffected by it. Now here comes Obama, and it seems that everyone blames him for all our economic problems. It took 8 years to create these problems, it certainly can’t be fixed in a few days or a few years for that matter.
Mark
August 12th, 2012
10:05 am
Since 1980 “Republicans” have theorized about trickle down theories. The sad part is that most republican voters are merely the voting pawns of the very very very few who sit at the top. Trickle down doesn’t work, it is not what built our country. The industrial revolution and the subsequent rise of the middle class was started with the theory of Henry Ford, “if I pay my workers enough to buy (my) products, we all benefit. Since Reagan there has been this Republican dream that hey, I have a nice suit, and went to college, I can be rich too. Reaganomics started this downward spiral of making money without doing anything but shuffling paper. Wake up people
Hope For Change
August 12th, 2012
10:07 am
The Republican party is the party that pushed for Civil Rights in the first place. The Democrats were the party of slavery and STILL are trying to keep the uninformed and unsuccessful people “on the plantation.” Hispanic and Black Conservatives and Republicans are tortured by the Liberals whenever they succeed because the Liberals can’t stand to see them “escape.”
The party of WELFARE and ENTITLEMENTS has not moved any of the recipients into wealth or success! If you vote for Obama, you are voting for status quo….stay in your dirty section 8 homes, food stamps, poverty. Yeah, keep me down on the plantation baby.
And the RICH 1% Liberals? Yes! All the Holllywood whoop-de-doos with their wealth tied into untaxed safety nets, screaming for MY TAX dollars?
Mr. Reid? Where are YOUR tax returns? Now that your staff admits they cooked up the whole Romney tax lies, but they know the plantation workers won’t care, they don’t get the facts, they just keep watching “Big Brother,” “American Idol,” and “Biggest Loser.” Reid himself hasn’t filed in years.
Ms. Pelosi? Why are you and YOUR HUSBAND shoveling money to China? Mr. Obama? You sent millions of OUR TAX DOLLARS upon millions to Brazil, Finland, and other lands instead of spending it here. Mr. OUTSOURCER and LIAR. YOU HAD BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS for TWO years and only made things worse with failed policies!!!
If the uninformed knew as much about their country as they know about TV sit-coms, this country wouldn’t be under the thumb of Liberal 1%’ers that count on illiterates and the uneducated to run our nation into the toilet path of European nations.
Hope For Change
August 12th, 2012
10:11 am
T Bear, Clinton was a MODERATE who forged a STRONG bond with then Speaker of the House, NEWT GINGRICH. The Budget process starts in the House of Representatives if you remember 8th grade Civics. Clinton SIGNED Newt Gingrich’s policies.
cc
August 12th, 2012
10:23 am
Enter your comments here
cc
August 12th, 2012
10:27 am
SisterSarah:
“seeing as how they will not want to hear anything about touching their Medicare and Social Security”
You did write this as a joke, right? Probably not as I think you are far too indoctrinated bu the dimocrats to joke.
Would you like to take the time to explain to all of us about the $700 billion Obama has taken from MediCare?
We’re waiting, sista’?
Todd - Lawrenceville
August 12th, 2012
10:36 am
If Paul Ryan is the most serious and responsible politician in america, why isn’t he running for President? Either Mitt is the wrong guy for the Republicans or Ryan isn’t who Republicans think he is.
Paul Ryan is a great choice for Democrats for the Republican ticket.
Had hoped for better choices
August 12th, 2012
10:38 am
The Republicans seem to never get it right! Why do they always shoot themselves in the feet and fizzle any hope of winning? The Dems know this will happen and succeed with their lunatic ideas. Sad day for America!
Todd - Lawrenceville
August 12th, 2012
10:47 am
Nothing Ryan and Mitt can ever do to recoup the amount of money the war debt Republicans forced our country into. The Iraq &/ Afganisthan war and banking deregulations is what depleted the debt to the level it is; all from Republican lead administrations. Even Republicans would have a difficult time bringing our country back.
You created the problem and continue o be a source of the problem.
OBAMA – BIDEN again 2012
Nail
August 12th, 2012
11:34 am
Clinton was in office when the Republicans had control of congress. So don’t go saying that the Dems were solely responsible for a strong economy during that administration.
Just keep watching your daytime soap operas and your CNN while I go to work and pay for your useless butts! It’s just a matter of time before the “Gravy Train” disappears!
Romney – Ryan 2012!!!
Democrat
August 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
Very intelligent and outstanding choice. Ha! Ha! Ha!
EmbarrassedTexan
August 12th, 2012
12:27 pm
Ryan’s former opponent called him the “Business Agent for the 21st Century robber barons”. So, Romney Hood has chosen the right man to continue the robbing of America. See the movie “Inside Job” (2010) to watch and learn how the downfall started and surmise how it can only continue if these two get their mitts on America.
Whaeema
August 12th, 2012
12:36 pm
Ryan is a fantastic pick. The left is in overdrive to mischaracterize him as somehow a dangerous radical…pretty typical leftist playbook stuff. The hard left which is most democrats these days has seen three and a half years of failure of thier policies and unmasking of The One who was going to heal the world. About all democrats have left is anger.
cc
August 12th, 2012
12:37 pm
jim:
“A truly disgraceful, disgusting ticket.”
I could not agree more! Obama-Biden were disgusting before they elected, and have doubled-down on ‘disgusting’ since being elected. Obama-Biden is “a truly disgraceful, disgusting ticket” for 2012!
Tea Party Meber
August 12th, 2012
12:43 pm
This cournty needs mor guy like Rayan 2 lead this country out of its problem brought on by the tax and spend librals and loosers on welfare 2 high on drugs 2 get a job.
Jack
August 12th, 2012
12:49 pm
For the record, the Jack at 11:11AM on the11th ain’t me; he’s a flaming’ liberal.
Jackie Lyles
August 12th, 2012
1:08 pm
I think he is a great pick because he wants our government not to spend more than it brings in and I think all American’s can learn from this concept. I think he cares about money that is wasted and believes in helping people along with helping people get back on their feet and work. I think he will actually be a working vice president.
Moderate Joe
August 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
Poor choice. Confirms that Romney is pandering to the ultra conservative fringe groups.
Something Wicked5
August 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
Herman Cain, Newt and a few more like this selection. Now that Romney has his running mate they all are getting on board to see where this train is going. Cain and Newt both fail with their lies and continuation of step on, make rule statements about President Obama no matter what he does…frankly many don’t want to see him reelected or back in the Big White House again. I would say that many of us have done our homework. We know what has happen and it don’t really bother us because what can be done in 4 years with the issues that came before in the last 8 years and how on the shoulder’s of this current president. I will not tell an Air line pilot how to fly his 767 or 787. I will trust him to get me where I need to go….and even if we have some ruff winds, I still think President Obama has been good for America even if he can’t solve the problems that has confronted us. It is not his fault that it is what it is and until something good happen, we are better off with him. Now here is where Ryan is going to say I should have given it some time before I put my eggs in the hat. Romney taxes and this CEO with Bain will come back to haunt Ryan and Romney to a point where ther own party is going to say….it was a bad ideal to have Romney and Ryan on our Republaican ticket. The sea always gives up it dead, the truth comes out when you are on a roll…….and when you think you are set, you are really sinking. I will take my choice withthe current President Obama and VP Biden ticket for the next 4 years. Why, when it tuff, they hand tuff, and if you want a fight…….bring it on!
Juan Matute
August 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
The answer to your question has three responses.
(1) If you are a Republican, and on the extreme right edge, this a wonderful and energizing situation.
(2) If you are a moderate Republican, and dissatisfied with the extremem right, you may be part of a new poll category question; Does the selection of Ryan as VP running mate change how you will vote, and if so, how?
(3) If you are a Democrat, you are confident that Romney’s move moved the ticket way beyond what most people would accept as a voting option. You also know that you will have to work very hard to get out the vote.
Time for a real change
August 12th, 2012
1:13 pm
It makes no difference to which party you are aligned. To vote for someone because they are better than Obama or Romney is ludicrous. Why don’t we have better choices on either side? It seems there are plenty of decent people who could run for office and do a good job. The two party system is a joke and we the people deserve better than to have candidates who are rewarded for having paid their dues to the party. Time for a real change!
DAG
August 12th, 2012
1:23 pm
I can’t WAIT to watch the Biden – Ryan debate!!
Bludhart
August 12th, 2012
1:23 pm
Willard is a draft-dodging tax cheat. Swiss bank UBS turned his name over to the IRS in 2009, and Willard cut an amnesty deal. This is why he desperately conceals his tax records. Willard is also a coward who sat out the Viet Nam war in France, hiding behind his cultish “religion,” even while he supported an illegal and immoral war. Willard’s buddy Ryan is a lifelong politician whose right-wing social engineering scheme would sock it to the poor, elderly and infirm while rewarding and protecting millionaires.
MrLiberty
August 12th, 2012
1:29 pm
Let me begin by saying that Obama is probably the worst president we have ever had. But he only leads a very large group by a hair. That group of course includes Bush. Obama’s policies are basically those of Bush and Romney’s will be the same as Obama’s. To actually expect anything different is to delude yourself.
As for Ryan, I think it was summed up best by this statement from the Republican Liberty Caucus (the small handful of congressional republicans that still care about freedom and liberty):
“Possibly of even greater concern is Ryan’s ongoing record of absolute irresponsibility in the area of civil liberties. Since 2010 Ryan has been on the wrong side of almost every important vote involving basic Constitutionally protected rights. He voted to extend the PATRIOT Act, for CISPA, for DOMA, for the NDAA (three times), to expand the Department of Homeland Security, to extend troop commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and to give the President the power to appoint department heads without Senatorial approval. At a time when more and more Republicans are waking up to the threat of expanded government power to operate without observing traditional limits on their police power these votes are a major concern.
TARP, bailouts, entitlement expansion, endless military spending and bigger, more intrusive and less constitutional government. Is the Ryan record an example of the kind of policies a financially imperiled nation needs and which grassroots Republicans are demanding? Ryan is probably a gesture in the right direction, but Liberty Republicans should be concerned that the gesture is more symbol than substance and demand a clear and aggressive fiscal plan from the Romney campaign.”
In other words, Ryan is just the sort of totalitarian big government type the Goldman Sachs folks would love to complement their hand-picked selection of Romney.
To see the entire RLC piece, check out – http://www.rlc.org/2012/08/11/the-paul-ryan-record/
MrLiberty
August 12th, 2012
1:31 pm
And here is Paul Ryan begging congress to pass TARP. Pathetic. The perfect complement to Romney’s liberal stands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RyJBZYz858M
mommyof2
August 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
Ryan is a GOP foot soldier. He will vote along party lines even if it the government can’t afford it. Ryan voted yes for the Medicare Prescription Drug Act, the largest entitlement giveaway in this nation’s history.
shiri
August 12th, 2012
1:49 pm
Anybody is better than Obama and this Biden guy !!!!!
WELL said...
August 12th, 2012
1:56 pm
UGA & Not your typical Atlantan. You’ve summed it up. Obama doesn’t need to pack for 4 more years.
Donna P.
August 12th, 2012
1:57 pm
I like Paul Ryan a lot. He is too intelligent to be a politician though. I know the media, the Progressives, and Obama will try to destroy him and his family. I hope he is prepared for that.
Yankee boy
August 12th, 2012
2:18 pm
Southerners. Geeze.
Pamela
August 12th, 2012
2:20 pm
Write-In Ron Paul 2012
LoFlyer
August 12th, 2012
2:24 pm
It will be interesting to note how the media attacks Ryan, I suspect its not going to be as bad as the attacks against Palin. (for some reason the media hated a gun-wielding conservative female with an indepentant view.)
This is total BS by the AJC and media, 86 percent of the stories from Romney’s European trip was negative, which just happens to coincide with the journalists political contributians to the Democrats.
Isn’t that special!
Mike
August 12th, 2012
2:29 pm
As a Democrat, I was really hoping that Romney would pick Ryan. I think this really enhances Obama chances of being re-elected in November. If Romney had picked Portman from Ohio or Rubio from Florida, then I would be scared. Romney will now find it difficult to win the critical states of Ohio and Florida.
doodle
August 12th, 2012
2:32 pm
Palin is an air head. She proved that over and over again.
In the midst of an economic crisis you would turn over the country to woman who took six years to get a four year journalism degree? Now you know why your side lost- but I don’t know if you can understand it.
another day...
August 12th, 2012
2:35 pm
Rubio was the best choice for Romney. It would have given him Florida and the hispanic vote in swing states. Now he gets Wyoming, which he already had.
The Repubs now have a Mormon and Catholic on the ticket- Lets see the christian right get behind that. LMAO.
marc
August 12th, 2012
2:44 pm
GOP just lost the swing voters. Edge to Obama.
cc
August 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
Bludhart or Blowhard:
You probably should cite some sources for your unsubstantiated charges against Romney, or are you merely imitating obama? It appears that both Blowhard and obama believe in telling “the big lie” so often that it becomes accepted.
Typical liberal BS . . .
cc
August 12th, 2012
3:05 pm
another day…:
“The Repubs now have a Mormon and Catholic on the ticket- Lets see the christian right get behind that. LMAO.”
Becuse obama has declared war on Christianity, you wll find the Christian right solidly aligned with Romney/Ryan. The supprt for the Catholic Church by the Christian right sealed the deal. The support obama has given homosexual marriage was the final nail in the coffin for obama as it relates to the Christian right. I don’t think that this is enough to necessarily gain black votes for Romney, but it is certainly enough to keep a respectable number of black voters at home on election day.
JMH
August 12th, 2012
3:10 pm
Bludhart are u suggesting that if someone has to pay for any part of their healthcare…etc they are getting it socked to them? Is it wrong to expect people to pay just a little bit for the benefits they get? Wow, if this is the way you libs think we are in bigger trouble than I thought. Also, as cc said where is your proof for any of the claims you make? Is dirty Harry’s mystery source good enough for you?
One question for you, if I earn 500k dollars is that not my money? Is it yours or some politicians place to tell me I’m bad because I desire to keep more of it? Why should I be made to contribute more to the government so they can piss it away trying to buy more votes!
Romney-Ryan 2012
howard
August 12th, 2012
3:16 pm
It was a good choice for the Democrats because Ryan is a right wing extremists that would do great harm to the middle class.
JMH
August 12th, 2012
3:17 pm
Marc,
How does Ryan make Romney lose swing voters? You dont think the swing voters want to get this country moving in the right direction? At least Ryan has a plan! What is Obama’s plan other that tax the rich? He doesn’t have one. What is he going to do different in the next 4 years to improve the economy? I bet you don’t know because he doesn’t even know. Pretty sad people are that ignorant!
JMH
August 12th, 2012
3:18 pm
Howard ,
What is extreme about Ryan? He wants to fix social security & Medicare? That seems really extreme to me! Get a clue!
JMH
August 12th, 2012
3:20 pm
Also Howard just how is he going to harm the middle class? How about an example or two? Bet you don’t have any.
JMH
August 12th, 2012
3:22 pm
Howard=typical idiot Obama voter. No facts to back up his lame argument.
FarmerRob
August 12th, 2012
3:31 pm
Ryan is an excellent choice. Unlike Obama or Obiden he will look you in the eye and tell you the truth. Something the current leadership? knows nothing about.
SheeshLoiuse
August 12th, 2012
4:01 pm
Newt Gingrich told the TRUTH about Paul Ryan’s super bright ideas: “Right Wing Social Engineering” is what he called it. Then, he walked it back for politics’ sake, because he knew he would be running or President himself. Too late, damage was done Newt! Smart people are smart enough to know you meant it when it came out of your mouth! Even your OWN people, though they will not admit it publicly!
Here is the clip to remind you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsHw92j9P0Q
I’d wait for a rebuttal on it, but won’t hold my breath. I’m sure some idiot will come up with a “Well what about Obama…” LOL By the way, that’s called deflection in the art of Rhetoric. Bring on the convention, bring on the debates, bring on the election. Everything else quite frankly is a bunch of BS!
BehindEnemyLines
August 12th, 2012
4:17 pm
If only his votes matched his rhetoric. Alas, hasn’t seemed to meet a bailout he didn’t like. A disappointing bit of hot air that does nothing to sway me toward an already weak lightweight pseudo-conservative candidate.
cc
August 12th, 2012
4:54 pm
BehindEnemyLines:
“If only his votes matched his rhetoric. Alas, hasn’t seemed to meet a bailout he didn’t like. A disappointing bit of hot air that does nothing to sway me toward an already weak lightweight pseudo-conservative candidate.”
If obama hmself and his plans for a communist America is not enough to “sway (you) toward an already weak lightweight pseudo-conservative candidate”, I submit that you planned on voting for obama anyway.
cc
August 12th, 2012
4:59 pm
JMH:
howard needs no facts to back up his statement. He follows the obama rule: say anything you want and don’t confuse anyone by stating any nasty facts. If you lie often enough, people will believe you.
Unfortunately, the simpletons who support obama woundn’t know a “fact” if it bit them in the a$$.
LoFlyer
August 12th, 2012
5:08 pm
I rarely look at the AJC’s editorials anymore, five years back they quit endorsing liberal candidates because it did more harm than good for their endorsees. If you look through this thead there is a common theme of political delusion of the facts.
I can’t wait till November!
Independent Moderate
August 12th, 2012
5:34 pm
Paul Ryan? Really? It’s almost as if Romney doesn’t want to win…talk about self-sabotage.
barry
August 12th, 2012
5:41 pm
Not Your Typical Atlantan – “we the GOP” yea right. The line is drawn, if Obama wins again, more of the same unsustainable debt and unemployment due to his lack of understand of what creates jobs. But hey, we deserve what we get.
CherylS
August 12th, 2012
5:43 pm
Paul Ryan wants to make sure the rich don’t pay higher taxes and that the elderly and poor don’t have decent healthcare. Guess we all know who the Republicans really care about.
barry
August 12th, 2012
5:44 pm
another day… – hate to point this out but it’s WI not WY
DAWG FAN FROM DOUGLISVILLE
August 12th, 2012
6:48 pm
Enter your comments here
DAWG FAN FROM DOUGLISVILLE
August 12th, 2012
6:49 pm
YAAAAYYYY FOR RONMEY.
ITS ABOUT TIME WE SNED A MESSAGE 2 THE WORTLESS LIBERALAS THINKS R ABOUT 2 CAHNGE!!