Paul Ryan tackles one of GOP’s biggest post-election problems
For the second time in two elections, an older Republican presidential nominee selected a younger running mate with the intent of injecting some energy into his campaign. Then, shortly afterward, his campaign staff began working to muzzle that younger running mate.
That’s about as close as you’ll get to putting Paul Ryan and Sarah Palin in the same sentence — although, like Palin, Ryan seems intent on using his boost in national profile to grab a big role in the national debate moving forward, likely to position himself for a future run at the top of the ticket.
I give Ryan better odds at staying in that conversation all the way until the next election than Palin did after 2008 (although she certainly remained relevant through the 2010 midterms and was a central figure in the tea party’s rise to prominence). If he does, it will be because he seems to have a keen understanding of one of the GOP’s key problems moving forward from the election he helped fight. I’m talking about its reputation as a party that only cares about wealthy Americans.
Ryan reportedly wanted to broaden the GOP’s message during the presidential campaign but was shot down by Romney campaign advisers who said the party does not “test well on” issues like poverty. Well, of course: It’s hard to “test well on” an issue you spend zero time addressing. The only concession he got from the campaign was to give a single speech, about two weeks before Election Day in Cleveland, that was well-received but was too little, too late to move the needle for the campaign.
Now that those advisers aren’t holding him back any longer, Ryan seems intent on spending some time developing this theme on his own. His speech last night to the Jack Kemp Foundation — named for another one-time creative thinker and vice presidential contender for the GOP — is worth a read in its entirety. But this is the key theme:
Just last year, total federal and state spending on means-tested programs came to more than one trillion dollars. What does that mean in practical terms? For that amount of money, you could give every poor American a check for $22,000. Instead, we spent all that money trying to fight poverty through government programs.
What do we have to show for it? Today, 46 million people are living in poverty. During the last four years, the number of people on food stamps has gone up by 15 million. Medicaid is reaching a breaking point. And one out of every four students fails to earn a high-school diploma. In our major cities, half of our kids don’t graduate. Half.
When Lyndon Johnson launched the War on Poverty in 1964, he predicted we would eliminate poverty in 35 to 50 years. Here we are, 48 years later, and poverty is winning. We deserve better.
Ryan framed the issue in two ways that ought to be fertile political ground for Republicans: as the policy heir to the successful welfare reform of the 1990s, and with education as a centerpiece. Once upon a time, welfare reform was a prominent — and winning — social issue for conservatives. As I’ve argued before, education reform should be one for the right going forward (there are indications some Republicans understand this).
Importantly, Ryan does not frame the issue only as a matter of saving money. As I’ve also argued, Republicans will be more successful if they can talk about their ideas both as a matter of good fiscal stewardship and as a way to improve matters for beneficiaries of government programs. Welfare reform was undoubtedly good for both the nation’s finances and those who were moved off welfare rolls and onto payrolls. The GOP should make the case that the same is true for sensible changes to anti-poverty programs and education — as well as health-care programs, pensions, mass transit, etc.
Lest this post be viewed as a Paul Ryan love-fest, let me note that Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida (who also spoke to the Jack Kemp Foundation last night) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are two other likely 2016 contenders who are sounding similar notes.
The shame of the campaign Mitt Romney ran — aside from the fact he lost, of course — is that it didn’t do much to put conservative arguments and values in a better position moving forward. Perhaps Ryan can salvage some potential from the campaign on his own.
(H/t to the Future of Capitalism blog for pointing out the Ryan and Rubio speeches.)
– By Kyle Wingfield
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240 comments Add your comment
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:06 pm
Chirp chirp.. what happened to Uncle Tom…
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:06 pm
What happened to Cheesy S#itz..
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:07 pm
You questioning another’s service record? Why don’t you make fun of JamVet and ask him the same questions a hole? Nope can’t, your political similarities come before questioning his service? Scary
I’m sorry so you didn’t serve your country at all ?
Typical Republican.
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:12 pm
Spin the topic, it looks like you are deflecting. Come on, call out Jamvet and ask about his service record?
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:12 pm
Typical lib, name calling coward.
Elections Have Consequences
December 5th, 2012
5:13 pm
@ Will 5:05
Yet, the Republicans regained control of both legislative chambers in WI, and rejected the Walker recall earlier this year-Not something easily done in a very liberal, union heavy state. What is your point, sir?
JDW
December 5th, 2012
5:17 pm
@Kyle…”I suppose you think the GOP should go the Groucho Marx route: “These are my principles. If you don’t like them, I have others.””
I think the GOP needs to move to the center in a big way. Role models that come to mind Eisenhower, Ford, Bush 1, and Powell.
Eisenhower, Ford, Bush 1, and Powell
Fact is that they have moved to the right of Goldwater and completely out of the realm of believability. On top of that the only arrow left in their quiver is to be the Party of No on every thing from immigration to fiscal policy. The entire strategy is to gum up the works and they are creating tremendous uncertainty and in effect creating self fulfilling prophecies.
Take the current debacle…there is an easy deal there. Raise the rates on the two top brackets, put in some general limits on deductions, make some reforms to entitlements, adjust capital gains and corporate taxes…problem is they are so entrenched in believing their own BS they can’t do their job.
JamVet
December 5th, 2012
5:17 pm
Well Kyle, in your defense you did write that it was evidence. Not terribly conclusive, but yes it is evidence.
At any rate, it doesn’t really matter, does it? Romney losing Florida, and getting trounced was exactly what I predicted many months ago.
Personally, I hope Ryan runs in 2016.
He is, in fact, a big fraud, who doesn’t care at all about fiscal responsibility, and whose policy proposals are sloppy as well as dishonest. Of course, this means that he’ll fit in to the Romney campaign just fine. ~ Paul Krugman, August 11, 2012
Boomtika
December 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
To me the most most telling event that the GOP is out of step with the majority of voters was when Georgia (and SC) selected Newt Gingrich in the primary.
Anyone with half a brain knew he wouldn’t be the eventual candidate, and that most Americans think he’s a nut job…didn’t matter, he’s our guy! Yee-HAW!
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:21 pm
Role models that come to mind Eisenhower, Ford, Bush 1, and Powell.
No chance. None. That guys like Reagan would be a Republican today.
That’s how extreme they have become.
Either way its win win for us.
Either the Republicans reform and move to the center ( Win )
Or they continue to get killed in National Elections ( Win )
Its really fine either way.
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
Jamvet
Exactly…. Same tactics as last time. And they will get the same results.
Steady as they go
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
He is, in fact, a big fraud, who doesn’t care at all about fiscal responsibility, and whose policy proposals are sloppy as well as dishonest. Of course, this means that he’ll fit in to the Romney campaign just fine. ~ Paul Krugman, August 11, 2012
Obama hasn’t passed a budget yet and hasn’t proposed any spending decreases. His only platform is tax the rich. Who in the he!! is more credible? At least Ryan is trying.
Kyle Wingfield
December 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
JDW @ 5:17: So, leaving Ike (who could have won running as an R or D) out of it, your role models for the GOP are: one guy who lost as an incumbent, one guy who never won on a national ticket, and one guy who’s never run for office.
I can’t believe the GOP candidates aren’t lining up for your political-consulting services!
Lib in Cobb
December 5th, 2012
5:26 pm
It is a certainty that the majority of voters in the US are tired of Ryan. The rest of the voters should be tired of Ryan if they expect to change the overall opinion of today’s Republican party. If the GOP expects to reach a broader base of voters, then they should stay far away from anything Ryan. Eventually Ryan and Romney will be a minor footnote in our political history
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
Simnce when do Presidents pass budgets?
Does he President vote with or against himself?
Elections Have Consequences
December 5th, 2012
5:30 pm
He doesn’t-The Senate initiates, and this hasn’t happened under 4 years of Democratic majority.
Kyle Wingfield
December 5th, 2012
5:30 pm
JamVet @ 5:17: “At any rate, it doesn’t really matter, does it?”
If all you care about is the bottom line of the election, of course it doesn’t matter. But if you have any interest in knowing which policies are worth pursuing in the future, then yes, it sure does matter.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 5th, 2012
5:33 pm
“Good grief Kyle . And convince these people that the Earth is made in 7 days . You are trying to say the GOP needs to be a cult not a party .”
It is no more difficult to believe that than it is to believe that all the matter in the universe came from unknown material of unknown origin and was no larger than your thumbnail. I certainly think the earth has been here longer than 6000 years, and that to some extent evolution was involved in the process, but to believe that all the vast universe came from something the size of a thumbnail, although no one can explain where that something came from. I have ocean front property in Oklahoma that I’d like to sell you.
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:38 pm
Kyle
They may as well hire JDW. If Obama is as bad as you and many of the bloggers claim, what does that say about the candidates running against him.
The excuse about who votes and why is just that an excuse.
There is a messaging problem no matter how you slice and dice the stats.
Bottom line is that Republicans have lost 5 of the last 6 popular votes and demographic voting trends are currently not in their favor.
Politics can and will change quickly and often, but obviously something must change if different results are expected.
Or doubling down on the same is an option. I bet there will be changes in message and tone. Not wholesale but noticeable changes.
Time will show when they occur and what they are and of course if they work.
Michael H. Smith
December 5th, 2012
5:40 pm
Kyle Wingfield
December 5th, 2012
12:55 pm
Too many people, even the well-meaning folks in government, don’t understand poverty Kyle. Then again, poverty is relative to scale of economies: e.g. someone living in poverty as defined in the US would be seen as wealthy in other nations.
Anyhow, you can enlarge upon your statement concerning giving people money or anything of value for that matter, as not making the individual’s poverty disappear. So the mere lack of wealth per se’ isn’t the cause of a poor person remaining in poverty, whereas their inability for whatever the details be, which keeps them from breaking free of the repetitive cycle that keeps them poor, is what should be addressed by all parties, from government and business concerns, if for no other good reasons than self-serving greed – regardless of the Gordon Geeko-ish ring that ending may bear.
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:43 pm
Lib in Cobb
December 5th, 2012
5:26 pm
It is a certainty that the majority of voters in the US are tired of Ryan. The rest of the voters should be tired of Ryan if they expect to change the overall opinion of today’s Republican party. If the GOP expects to reach a broader base of voters, then they should stay far away from anything Ryan. Eventually Ryan and Romney will be a minor footnote in our political history
Broader base of voters = pandering to the masses to get re-elected based on a campaign of popular social issues. Leadership is what’s knowing what is best for your country and pushing for it, something the union educated masses can’t understand. I’m revoking your cobb title, go live in fulton, educator. (gag)
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:45 pm
I certainly think the earth has been here longer than 6000 years, and that to some extent evolution was involved in the process, but to believe that all the vast universe came from something the size of a thumbnail, although no one can explain where that something came from.
Mumbo Jumbo.
Just because Science cant explain where something came from today doesn’t mean it will always be that way.
At one time Scientist didn’t know that the Sun was the center of our Universe. Today they do.
Thats the beauty if Science. It evolves ( unlike Religion which stands on dogma ) and with it the whole knowledge of mankind grows.
and that to some extent evolution was involved in the process
Anybody wanna bet that the “some extent” leaves out the evolution of man ?
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:45 pm
57
Like pandering to VA voters by talking up a larger Navy….
Like that?
Need more examples or you just like the ones that fit your narrative?
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
5:48 pm
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
Simnce when do Presidents pass budgets?
Does he President vote with or against himself?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/may/16/obama-budget-defeated-99-0-senate/
Masterful job by your transcript hiding jedi master… all 99 republicans voted against it! He should of offered some pork! sarc.. Oh wait, who controls the senate? Bwaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaa loser!
Michael H. Smith
December 5th, 2012
5:49 pm
The GOP lost 5 of what last 6?
They kept the WH twice until 2008 didn’t lose the House until 06, won it back in 10, retained the House in 12.
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:49 pm
57
This might be a tough question since you actually think Presidents pass budgets, but do you think that both the McCain and Romney tickets were void of pandering during their respective campaigns?
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:52 pm
MHS
5 of the last 6 popular votes on the Presidential level.
EC rules the day but clearly their is a messaging problem when looking at the popular vote results.
It isn’t new but is starting to show up more.
By all means, ignore it and carry on as usual.
JamVet
December 5th, 2012
5:54 pm
The GOP lost 5 of what last 6?
No, three out of the last four. A trend I see continuing.
Kyle, fair enough.
And I contend that Ryan’s policies are ludicrous. Certainly his Randian informed fiscal policies.
As far as him “tackling one of GOP’s biggest post-election problems”, I took you advice and read his speech in its entirety.
I gather it was about a thousand words or so. It was a pleasant read and had some good points.
And it said………………………………. nothing.
At least nothing of useful substance.
The man is great at stating the obvious – we have longstanding and great problems in effectively combating entrenched and systemic poverty in this nation. But as for solutions or even legitimate proposals?
I seem to have missed them in his missive.
Perhaps someone can help me out and point them out…
Blackwater
December 5th, 2012
5:55 pm
Sorry Kyle, but comparing Paul Ryan to Sarah Palin is an insult, to Sarah Palin. Palin is an accomplished Mayor, Governor, author and conservative leader. Paul Ryan was and always will be part of the problem, not the solution.
Ryan voted for TARP, raising the debt ceiling, Medicare Part D, and every Big Government spending program to come down the pike, including voting to bail out the union thugs, er I mean “General Motors.”
Ryan has reached the height of his career. Sarah Palin on the other hand, if we are lucky, could be our next President.
Guys like Ryan, Rubio, and the like are why the GOP has failed.
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:57 pm
MHS
There are numerous right leaning writers who have written about the messaging and demographic issues since the election.
Chalk it up as lib media hype if that suits you, but status quo from Rep Presidential candidates and campaigns is not going to be a winning ticket.
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:58 pm
Republican not “Rep”
clem
December 5th, 2012
5:59 pm
don’t you just love chip rogers fiscal conservatism….just cost his district 500k for special election
Politico
December 5th, 2012
6:03 pm
Clem
Chip is doing it for the people, just as Deal created a new job for him.. So he would go away quietly……. For the good folks of GA
Michael H. Smith
December 5th, 2012
6:05 pm
Oh yeepee… poof “the magic proton” of “quantum mechanics” a.k.a. the god of scince is back as best described by none other than the renouned Steven Hawking (their very best to mind date) – no damga there but you just got to have the same kind of faith to believe his explaination as the one offered by religion.
Say whatever you want and believe as you choose, all of it remains based mostly on great deal of faith in something you believe is supreme.
Michael H. Smith
December 5th, 2012
6:08 pm
Politico
I’ll calk it up as bunk! The math is factually and historically incorrect.
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
6:12 pm
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:45 pm
57
Like pandering to VA voters by talking up a larger Navy….
Like that?
Need more examples or you just like the ones that fit your narrative?
Obama didn’t pander at all…gag
Politico
December 5th, 2012
6:14 pm
MHS
Yep it is incorrect that Repubs have lost the popular vote 5 of the last 6 Presidential elections.
It is incorrect that the largest growing minority population votes Dem by a wide margin.
It is incorrect that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Repubs have a demographic problem
It is incorrect that Repubs lost House and Senate seats
Yep it is bunk…
You are exactly what the party needs…
I love it…. Same ole same ole for MHS
Politico
December 5th, 2012
6:16 pm
57
And you can show where I posted that Obama or Dems as a whole do not pander?
Thought so
They all do it, yes even those YOU vote for each election
ljhays
December 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
I have to disagree: Sarah Palin never was, and never will be, relevant.
Linda
December 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
Politico@5:49 doesn’t believe the Washington Post cited @ 5:48 by 57. Not only was Obama’s budget defeated in the Senate 0-99 but also in the House 0-414, both in ‘11 & ‘12. Obama’s offer to the Republicans to avoid the fiscal cliff is based on his budget that even the Democrats would not touch with a 10-foot pole.
JamVet
December 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
…but status quo from Rep Presidential candidates and campaigns is not going to be a winning ticket.
No doubt, but I seriously believe it’s gonna take a few more November beat downs for it to sink in.
Treating Americans like garbage, and making up wholesale malicious lies about them is not gonna get you elected in most places anymore.
Occupy that.
Linda
December 5th, 2012
6:20 pm
Govt. programs led to govt. spending, which led to govt. debt, which led to the printing of money out of thin air, which has always, throughout history, led to inflation, which will hurt the poor more than the govt. programs that led to ……..
That’s the Democratic way of reducing poverty.
Elections Have Consequences
December 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
“making up wholesale malicious lies about them is not gonna get you elected in most places anymore.”
Seemed to work well enough last month.
Michael H. Smith
December 5th, 2012
6:22 pm
Demographics? Bush won your so-called demographic vote, you ethnoceteric cripple. And, your so-called “largest growing” demographic is by far conservative and not liberal by their very nature.
Again, I cited elections won and lost and your facts – “5 of the last 6″ – don’t add up.
Michael H. Smith
December 5th, 2012
6:26 pm
Linda
As I remember, the democrat way of winning the war on poverty has been about as successful as Nixion’s war on drugs and we’re still losing both wars.
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
6:29 pm
JamVet
December 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
…but status quo from Rep Presidential candidates and campaigns is not going to be a winning ticket.
No doubt, but I seriously believe it’s gonna take a few more November beat downs for it to sink in.
Treating Americans like garbage, and making up wholesale malicious lies about them is not gonna get you elected in most places anymore.
Occupy that.
Occupy this! All of your posts are devoid of thought, only gloating that your tool won. Bring something tangible, MEAT!
Nunna Yobinnes
December 5th, 2012
6:31 pm
Cheesy – I believe something in human evolution changed several thousand years ago. Can you explain why for hundreds of thousands of years mankind displayed perhaps the intelligence of a chimp, and suddenly over the last 10,000 years or so we have made such monumental progress? I thought we were told to believe that evolution was an extremely slow process. Obviously it appears that “something” intervened. You believe whatever you want to. That’s your prerogative, but don’t belittle me for my opinion. I won’t tell you what to do with your womb, and you don’t tell me what to do with my faith. Thank you and have a nice day.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
Cheesy – “At one time Scientist didn’t know that the Sun was the center of our Universe. Today they do.” I was not aware that science had determined that the milky way galaxy was the center of the universe to say nothing about our sun. This is all news to me.
57 States is gone but not forgotten
December 5th, 2012
6:37 pm
Politico
December 5th, 2012
5:49 pm
57
This might be a tough question since you actually think Presidents pass budgets, but do you think that both the McCain and Romney tickets were void of pandering during their respective campaigns?
No dem votes on his budget?? He’s had 3 years to present a passable budget. Even G.W could present a passable budget!
Politico
December 5th, 2012
6:47 pm
Linda
Maybe 57 and you can both take a civics course…
Presidents do not pass budgets… Never have or will
Congress does that and will continue to vote yeah or nay on them, but the Prez isn’t allowed a vote
Nice try
Keep swinging