So how about that? Romney went bold and brilliant with his VP choice, Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan. He wasn't my first choice but I actually really like this pick for all the reasons the chattering class has pointed out.
At long last, this election will be about the real issues, not the identity-driven hot-button wedge issues that have dominated the past eight months. Everyone agrees we need to get our fiscal house in order or we'll end up looking like California. Not a pretty prospect. Not pretty like... Paul Ryan.
Democrats are licking their chops right now. They think Ryan is an easy target. They think they can paint this guy as an extremist and that people will believe it. But Paul Ryan doesn't exactly come across as a crazy dude. In fact, he comes across as extremely competent and knowledgeable.
Check out this exchange from February 2010 about Obamacare:
This guy knows how to lead a charge. He's articulate and substantive. In listening to him above, one gets the distinct impression that he's gonna tear Biden a couple new ones with those baby blue eyes closed.
Paul Ryan is all about the numbers and is a fantastic debater. This compliments Romney's nature and his message. These two will hammer home reality when it comes to debating the issues this year - The Economy, The Debt, and Entitlement Reform.
Need even more proof that Paul Ryan isn't crazy? Here are three videos of him describing his Path to Prosperity. Ryan's Budget was initially a pariah bill that House Republicans refused to touch. Ryan defended and promoted his plan on his own by speaking one-on-one to members of Congress and conservative pundits. Now he can expand that support to the nation at large from the presidential stump with a very large microphone.
Paul Ryan is a seven-term congressman from a swing district in Wisconsin. Having him on the ticket elevates the issues from the Wisconsin Recall to the national ballot. Say what you will about Scott Walker, he still won his recall election with a higher margin than his first race. The issues raised by the battle over public union pensions will now officially be part of the national discussion because Wisconsonites seem to really like the idea of one of their own being on the GOP presidential ticket.
Post-announcement, Wisconsin is now back in the swing-state column. The rest of the Midwest could be open to Ryan's message. Nearby Iowa is indecisive this year as are Ohio and, in some polls, Pennsylvania.
Why? Because Ryan is personable and capable of describing complex ideas in terms understood by the average American. He won reelection in a district that voted for Obama. He knows how to persuade and gain the support of Independents and non-Republicans. Explaining how that sort of record jibes with Democrats' attempts to portray him and his Plan as extremist will be something of a challenge.
Paul Ryan is a New School Republican. A self-proclaimed Young Gun. He shows up places listening to an iPod. He's a noodler. A noodler!! And he's cute. This is a very handsome ticket. Democrats underestimate the power of the Romney-Ryan eye appeal, especially when one factors in the the hair deficit suffered by Team Obama. (Biden is really dragging them down on this one)
So..... good luck, Dems. With your current **stellar** track record of honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct, you gonna need plenty.
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