Ryan started out slow - maybe he was a bit nervous - but he gained momentum as he continued. It turned into a barn burner at about the midway point. I love Ryan because he articulates the ideas and principles I think we badly need expressed, and he does it in a simple, convincing, honest - Reagan-like way. He is the very best spokesperson we have for limited government conservatism. Also, he's adorable and his whole family is adorable.

Most conventions - and speeches are pretty boring to me. Even when I like the speaker, the venue is awful in my opinion - that huge stadium. What I really appreciate about the Republican party of 2012 is the depth of our bench. We have many talented governors who are successfully doing their jobs. Nothing's more important than governing well.

Paul Ryan is a rock star.  A.Rock.Star.

Woody Allen was right - from the movie Sleepers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yCeFmn_e2c

Everything we think we know about healthy eating is wrong.  Saturated fat is good for you.  Protein and fat from animals is good for you.  Carbohydrates make you fat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSeSTq-N4U4&list=PL9E35F689C3F67D03&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Here's the book to read: http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Get-Fat-About/dp/0307474259/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346283452&sr=8-1&keywords=why+we+get+fat

BAZONGA! (I've been watching Big Bang Theory reruns.)

Terrific speech.  And, great minds think alike, Mike. ;-)

Thanks for the full text.

 Julia would totally make-out with Paul Ryan. And, yes, this is a substantive point because Julia just might reconsider her vote for Obama.

Getting free stuff is nice, but personal responsibility is sexy.

All kidding aside, Obama has an advantage with women and with single women in particular. Ryan can counter that.

I just wanted to say this is exactly right. :-)

Independents mistrust the cronyism in politics. Republicans are guilty of it. Conservatives who don't acknowledge the legitimacy of this mistrust are deluding themselves. Whether accurate or not, the general belief is that Republicans are beholding to "business interests" and the rich. R/R need to talk about the dangers of cronyism and captured government in clear language and make the case for limited government

 Ross Douthat is a good guy and a smart one. Poo-pooing his opinion simple because he writes for the NYT is childish. Those that read him frequently know that he's been a solid if subtle big C conservative.

His point is valid. Even so, I'm pleased beyond expression with the Ryan pick. I want this to be about a choice. I'd rather lose with a winner then win with a loser.

 Maybe not so tacky. I'm sure the Romney folks have polled it and are aware that Paul Ryan is attractive to women. With Obama's "War on Women" theme, Ryan is in part a strategic pick to counter that.

The gentlemen here might not realize how attractive Ryan is to single (and not too single) women. He's earnest, honest, and devoted to his own family. His blue eyes, dimples, self-depreciating smile, and P90X workout... hmmmmm.... where was I? Right.

In short, he's the type of guy many, many women would like to marry.

If I don't win it I'll check it out on amazon.  I'm always looking for a good read.

Just responding to your points.....

1.  It's time for conservatives to make the case for fiscal conservatism.  If we aren't brave enough to do that now when the economy is tanking, when do we do that?  To solve our fiscal issues we need to go big or go home.  Remember Walker won in Wisconsin.  There's a taste in moderate America of strong fiscal conservatism.  Romney will need a mandate. Now is the moment.

2. After the Palin fiasco, Romney won't pick a VP based on racial and gender politics.  It looks obvious and desperate.

3. Since Cheney the roll of the VP has been evolving.  Ryan would be wonderful as the agressive spokesman for fiscal conservatism allow Romney some room at the top to stand back and look presidential.

Why I support Ryan as VP:

1. His proposed budget and reforms to Medicare wouldn't be negatives in the general.  The Dems have already ripped it apart the vilified him to the extent that's possible.  By putting himself out there, he looks like the only adult in a congress full of children. 

2. He's more knowledgeable and articulate on budget and finance issues than Romney.  His ability to effectively communicate with middle class voters is a real asset.

3. His time as Chairman is due to end.  His rotation is over and he needs to give up his seat.

4. He puts Wisconsin and mid-western states in play.  Wisconsin and Minnesota are purple; he could turn them red.

5. The most important reason - He helps define who and what we should be as conservatives - particularly fiscal conservatives.  This is not the time to go softly softly.  We need to articulate the conservative case aggressively - Reagan style. 

6. Romney and Ryan obviously relate well to each other.  They campaign well together.

Behavior has deteriorated because there are no real consequences for this type of horrible behavior. Public schools should be able to expel students en mass for poor or disruptive behavior; they can't do this now. Teachers are nearly powerless to discipline in the classroom.

We need to stop pretending it's possible to educate people who don't want to be educated.  We should be able to ask them, "Do you want to be here?"  Because if they don't, they shouldn't be there.

Absent the ability to kick-out uncooperative students/parents, charters and vouchers provide those that want to be educated in a healthy environment an escape valve. I've heard teachers complain that the regular public schools will become dumping grounds for the uncooperative kids. Yes, yes they will. So?

 Everyone should have access to a free public education provided they behave in an appropriate manner.

Being funny is attention seeking. It's a tool to get both peers and the opposite sex to notice and appreciate you. Women are as capable of being funny as men, but they possess other attention getting devices that are more powerful. They're called breasts. When nature provides you with an obviously appreciated asset you're less likely to spend considerable time honing a less necessary skill.

 Europe looks like a painful, protracted tooth extraction with a dirty pair of pliers, a drunken dentist, and no anesthesia.

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

-Robert Frost, 1920

This is the way the world ends

Not with a bang but a whimper

-T.S. Eliot, 1925

I don't believe the world's ending, just a certain worldview.

 I'm wondering if this isn't a generational thing. I cannot imagine anyone from Reagan's generation whining boo-hoo Obama style.

Can anyone who has worked in the private sector for five minutes imagine telling your boss that you’d failed at your major task because the prior employee left a mess? Yeah, your boss already knows that. He’d want to know what you've been doing. Get a plan, explain it, do it.