Saturday, August 11, 2012

Paul Ryan as VP!!

What are your thoughts?


Posted by Jeff Simpson at 8:04:00 AM
Labels: , , ,

50 comments:

  1. Jake formerly of the LPAugust 11, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Uhh, pretty muh what Barack thinks in the picture.

    Though the real biggest winner is Wisconsin's 1st district, who'll finally get someone in Congress that, you know, has worked in Wisconsin and actually gives a crap about the people there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ImustberacistAugust 11, 2012 at 10:41 AM

      Aren't those the same people that elected him over and over for his 14 year career?

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:41 PM

      George W. Bush: Paul Ryan Is ‘A Strong Pick’

      Former President George W. Bush hailed Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan in a statement through the Romney campaign on Saturday.

      “This is a strong pick,” Bush said. “Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations.”

      Delete
    3. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:48 PM

      Jake,
      How do you know that Ryan won't just use his district to prove that he can "sacrifice". In the same way that Walker turned down the train money?

      Delete
  2. mbutlerAugust 11, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    Why bother; from the pic above, you've already made your decision, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff SimpsonAugust 11, 2012 at 11:09 PM

      I have made my mind up but I was asking for your thoughts!

      Delete
  3. GarethAugust 11, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    In a normal media environment I would expect Ryan's corrupt relationship with the oil and gas industry to come under scrutiny, but our corporate controlled media probably won't see anything.

    Romney has now firmly strapped himself to Ryan's "throw Granny off the cliff" economic policies and his relationship with the atheistic Ayn Rand cult. Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    As a Catholic, who has actually read the Pope's Encyclical, I can NOT, in good conscience, vote for Paul Ryan. It would be heretical...and a grave sin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wis Against The FistAugust 11, 2012 at 12:05 PM

      But you will support candidates who support the murder of babies, yeah you are a strong Catholic.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:45 PM

      Which is the bigger sin, to vote for someone who wants to end Medicare for entire generations or not to vote at all?

      Delete
    3. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 3:58 PM

      Fist, Mitt Romney is pro choice. Educate yourself.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 12:52 PM

      Hey, its cheaper just to rip the fetus out in a back alley anyway. There is no government funding in this process, it is just a little bit dirtier.

      Wis Against the Fist doesn't get out much these days, though, so I suppose one like this guy would think there's some abortion factory network going on.

      Of course, why would Wis Against the Fist even try to go outside beyond the gated community when everything this guy needs, like naked man sites, is right in his home?

      Delete
    5. capperAugust 12, 2012 at 6:10 PM

      I still don't understand why the right insists on saving a fetus only to abandon it as soon as it's born.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    How many years of Ryan's tax returns did Romney see before he made his choice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. politics64August 11, 2012 at 10:06 AM

      that is a very interesting and amusing point!

      Delete
    2. Jeff SimpsonAugust 11, 2012 at 11:11 PM

      Agreed and someone needs to ask them that very question.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Man, Joe Biden is going to mop the floor with Ryan in a debate. It will be a good laugh!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    Wait a second, didn't Romney say he was against the Ryan Plan? So confusing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 12:57 PM

      Republicans all say one thing until the popular front runner that has all the money behind them gets the ticket, then everyone is good and friendly, and of course, agree with each other.

      Even Tommy Thompson is having some trouble though, he had to rely on Sen. Harsdorf to do a robo-endorsement call.

      I suppose, this shows which network of billionaires each is hoping to bank roll them. Kohlers in this case, support Thompson, and Harsdorf wants their help, so, yeah, she'll endorse them.

      Kochs want Neumann, Hovde has the financial industry backing him, yes, the same industry he waves his finger at in a commercial.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    Jake, I have read that Ryan will remain on the ballot in the 1st, though that's illogical to me. If that's the case though, then you'll likely have a situation where if he loses the national, he could still be re-elected to his seat.

    I, and I'm sure many, can't see how Ryan on the ticket brings in any of the fence sitters. I don't even think Wisconsin is a lock for them. The Koch Brothers have just doubled down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:32 PM

      They certainly have doubled down. I agree with this comment. Sort of scary, really. Ryan said today something about rights being given to us by God and nature, not the government, but I think he is wrong. Slaves had no rights because the government didn't give them any.

      Delete
  9. BrettAugust 11, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Pretty durned funny. And pathetically desperate.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    Sorry to take a contrairian view, but if I were Romney, I'd probably also have picked Ryan (although, the Gov of Virgina may also have been in the running as well). Here is why he is a good pick for Romney (in no particular order):

    1) He appears intelligent. Russ Feingold had said that Ryan is very intelligent. My understanding is that they actually respect each other and had agreed not to run against each other. This gives him, in my opinion, the appearance of objective credibility (I'd go so far as to say, I may not agree with him, but I believe I could trust him - again, it's that he "feels" more like a H.W. Bush than a Michelle Bachman - that's a very low bar and demonstrates where we've come since the old GOP died). Perception is reality.

    2) He doesn't give off the crazy vibe that many of the Tea Parties have, while still having very strong conservative credentials - see Michelle Bachman wrt crazy.

    3) He's young enough to appear convincingly moderate (how can a young guy, from Wisconsin, who speaks well be a fascist?).

    4) In theory, he puts Wisconsin into play. As we all know, Wisconsin isn't a blue state anymore and could go to Romney. If just 5000 more people vote for R&R (or 5000 fewer vote for O&B) than had voted for Kerry over Bush, then Wisconsin goes to the GOP. The voter suppression laws, the riled up fascists, and the folks that really do like and support Ryan (within his district) could make this happen.

    5) He has more experience in congress than BHO had when he was elected. Hard to deny.

    6) He gives Romney the appearance of being a conservative without him actually being a conservative.

    7) The base really, really likes him.

    8) He's not wealthy and has a good story (compared to Romney who was born with the silver spoon).

    At the end of the day, I'm not going to vote for R&R, but it's still very difficult for me to find tangible difference between how I believe he'd govern v. the way Obama has governed. It's ironic, but Ryan's healthcare plan privatizes medicare (tax dollars go from Government to insurance to medical care). Obama and Romney's plans expand privatization of healthcare for young people (mandates you pay insurance companies). Both parties will continue to support the imperial complex. Nobody will raise taxes on the wealthy (Obama could have - remember he had 100% control for two years). And, dare I say it, Romney may actually have more power passing "progressive" legislation than Obama (similar to how Nixon passed many progressive measures). I firmly believe that Romney is a New England liberal, much like his father (see his record as Governor). But he knows that he can only get elected by strapping himself to the crazy train. Ryan gives him the crazy train keys, but maintains the appearance of being professional and rational.

    Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:04 PM

      Obama has not been the true-blue progressive we'd hoped for, but there possibly was a method to his faults, mainly he wanted to have a second term. Obama was dealing the scenario he inherited from 8 years of Bush/Cheney, the economy was driven into the ground, and he was dealing with a Congress that was hostile to cooperating with anything he tried. Often a second term offers different plans and results from the first.
      I'm prepared to give the benefit of the doubt to Obama; I certainly can't opt for what his opponents represent.
      Romney comes off as a spoiled, lying, dimwitted hustler that will do and say anything to get elected. Any big ideas Romney's had have turned out to be corrupt and destroying jobs for Americans. He is hardly the policy guy that Republicans/Tea Partiers want Paul Ryan to be seen as. What ideas Ryan has come up with were actually failed ideas of the past, only now dressed up as "innovative."

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM

      We agree 100% (at least about the GOP - I still think Obama got exactly what he wanted from congress in 08/09).

      The difficult part is that perception is reality. If Ryan is perceived as described above, it give Romney ample incentive to pick him.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:36 PM

      I don't think that nationally Wisconsin matters that much. Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida are more important than Wisconsin, but, otherwise, I agree with your analysis. Ryan "looks" normal and sounds reasonable and a lot of people don't pay attention. He has a charismatic quality and I can see how the conservatives like him. I don't like him, but they do.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 4:01 PM

      Romney already has the republican base. So what does Ryan bring to the table. Romneys poll numbers were falling. He had no choice but to do something desperate.

      Delete
    5. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 7:02 PM

      In Ohio, many of us are grateful for the decision against Rob Portman as V.P. We think it means the republicans have figured out that Ohio is not in play- Ohio will not go republican.
      Palli

      Delete
    6. Jeff SimpsonAugust 11, 2012 at 11:20 PM

      1. If thats true its a pretty good deal for ryan. My local high school team has agreed not to play the packers so they dont beat each other up.

      2 and 3 for sure now, but people will get to know the real paul ryan soon

      4. Interesting theory but 5000 people is a lot of people.

      5, havent we decided after dick cheney that experience means nothing?

      6/. Paul ryan is far from a conservative also

      7. The base likes whoever the yare told to like, just look at how much they like mitt

      8. Thanks to his time in congress he is incredibly wealthy and his story is a great one...grew up neededing social security now trying to end it

      Delete
    7. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 8:19 AM

      Jeff, Ryan didn't "need" social security when his father died. His family already had money. They made money in Janesville area with a major road construction company that does government road construction projects, etc. Yes, government road projects.

      Delete
    8. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 12:47 PM

      Hey that highway from Madison to Janesville is gonna cost $1 billion to spruce up, this is gonna be great because now it will get done.

      To bad I live in Illinois and pay ZERO for it! Suckers!

      Delete
    9. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 6:49 PM

      Jeff,

      WRT #1, please remember that Ryan is currently the #3 most powerful congressman in the house and is the GOP's VP candidate (with a not insignificant shot at becoming VP).

      Russ is doing nothing (from a politics perspective). He could have ran for WI-SC (instead of Kloppingburg), he could have ran for Gov (instead of Barrett), and he could have ran for senate again (instead of Baldwin). May I add, that the first two would have been monumental in terms of Wisconsin's current fascist state. Instead, he's doing nothing. I think we need to start understanding the direction things are going and that, as much as we want it, the Ryans (corpratists) of the world have more institutional support than the Feingolds - and the institution holds the cards (we can debate the effects of another Great Depression, which could go the way of Germany circa 1930s or of the USA cerca 1930s...).

      (I'll also add that Feingold had no chance of being VP material. The DNC is as corpratist as the GOP, just not as loopy. It's a shame we can't bring back Howard Dean).

      Delete
    10. Jeff SimpsonAugust 13, 2012 at 12:27 AM

      true but at the time that the yneeded to make up their mind to run for Senate, Paul was THE most unpopular politician in America. Remember the congressional race in New York???

      He had to take abreak and re brand himself and come back pretending he had different priorities than what he has.....

      Delete
  11. Wis Against The FistAugust 11, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    Laugh away Obama just think how much more time you will have to play golf. Bet your wife is not to happy she will no longer be able to milk the taxpayers for her jet-setting vacations. It was a brilliant finally a VP that can use complete sentences and does not look like a deer in headlights like we have now and a strong chance to return this country to s sustainable fiscal program instead of the spend spend spend progressive way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:27 PM

      Way to add nothing to the conversation. It's a shame all the folks who fancy themselves as conservatives can't string together coherent thoughts as well as Paul Ryan can(it's a further shame that they continue to applaud the GOP after the GOP has been anything but conservative for the last 30 years). You must realize that Romney is probably, in his soul, more progressive than Obama, right? The man, like GWB, lives in the shadow of his father. His father was a true-blue New England progressive. Mitt has actively pushed policies to the left of Obama while Governor of Massachusetts . I'm afraid (heck, he's voted for democrats in the past) you'll likely be better served, if you are really conservative, by supporting Gary Johnson. Otherwise, please continue to support the continued coproratetocrocy and bankrupting of our nation.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:36 PM

      WatF, way to not add anything worth reading.

      Now go back to your naked man site.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:39 PM

      We are not discussing Michelle Obama here, we are discussing Paul Ryan.

      Anonymous 12:04pm, you deserve Paul Ryan and Romney. You believe lies and then spew them about on progressive blogs? I will pray for you.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    Very good points. If Romney is elected I will pray for his good health. Ryan as president would be so much more dangerous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:47 PM

      I don't know about that. Again, Russ (Feingold) never spoke ill of the man. Now, Russ didn't speak ill of many people, but Russ never, at least to my ears, indicated Ryan was a complete fascist. My understanding was that he was intelligent, "conservative", not-Michelle Bachman crazy or Scott Walker fascist, and had integrity (that's how I interpret Russ's thoughts). Again, I'm not going to vote for the guy, but I believe he couldn't represent the USA any worse than GWB - god, what a low bar I'm using....

      Delete
  13. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    Well, duh.

    He's white, he's male, and he's got cash and already has been out getting wined and dined.

    What better compliment to a middle-aged wealthy white &^%& &^#$*^?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:41 PM

      I don't think the color has that much to do with him having a big ego. You can find big egos of any color. However, there are people who will be happy to vote for him because he looks/talks like they do. I wonder how they will push the "guy you can have a beer with" when he is known to be a wine connesieur?

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 1:02 PM

      Herman Cain is done and nothing more than a footnote. He's too black and would never get the vote, he was just the Koch's token black guy to put in their GOP show.

      That's the exact thing, Romney and Ryan are nothing more than wealthy offspring who have connections, and if they have control of office, it's a good connection investment.

      They'll sell out.

      All those politicians sell out, Republicans are really selling out this go-round.

      Delete
  14. SueAugust 11, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    My first thought when I heard this was that I wished even more that Obama had not completely ignored the state during the recall fight.

    ReplyDelete
  15. John CasperAugust 11, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    I'll be voting for Obama, but I see very little daylight between him and Romney/Ryan. IMHO, they're all tools of the 1%. In some ways Obama can do more damage to the 99%

    Thought the sobering analysis from David Dayen below was accurate.

    http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/08/11/thoughts-on-the-paul-ryan-vp-selection/

    ReplyDelete
  16. GarethAugust 11, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    ROMNEY and RYAN - 2012
    THE GREEDY BASTARDS TOUR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff SimpsonAugust 11, 2012 at 11:22 PM

      There is no better place to kick it off either than Waukesha

      Delete
  17. CJAugust 12, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    Ryan's has been being groomed for a heavy hitter for quite some time now. And this is his wet dream come true. He's demonstrated that he's ambitious and more than willing to run with the ball.

    You guys don't actually think "Romney" picked Ryan, do you? I don't think he did. He was told to pick Ryan.

    That's my take on his pick.

    ReplyDelete
  18. nomisAugust 12, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    Russ Feingold wants to be appointed to the US Supreme court--why do you think he is doing what he is--check out his bio since his defeat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 8:55 PM

      I'd say that sitting on the WI-SC would have been good resume fodder for that. Earl Warren would have argued that being Governor of Wisconsin would have been good resume fodder for that.

      At any rate, assuming Obama does win a second term, do you really believe that the GOP in the senate would have allowed such an outcome? If Obama really did want to appoint him, he could have been appointed to either of the two openings thus far. I stand by my assessment that Feingold understands where things are, believes he's done enough at the electoral level, and doesn't believe he got any more gas in the political tank. It's a shame, he could have beaten Walker and The Choker.

      Delete
  19. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    I should be thrilled about the prospect of someone from WI becoming VP. But I can't when he's such a butt.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)