Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Things may be about to change dramatically. This morning, on The Weekly Standard website, Stephen Hayes reports that Paul Ryan is in the final stages of deciding whether to run for the Republican presidential nomination. I am told by someone very much in the know that this is true.
It is even conceivable that the argument I advanced back at the end of May has had an impact. According to Hayes, another Republican from Wisconsin told him, “With Paul, it’s more about obligation than opportunity. He is determined to have the 2012 election be about the big things. If that means he has to run, he’s open to it.”
This is borne out by an interview Ryan gave on Friday in an appearance on the Charlie Sykes show in Milwaukee. Here is what Ryan initially said:
Look, the way I see 2012 – we owe it to the country to let them choose the path they want our country to take. And I just have yet to see a strong and principled articulation of the kind of limited government, opportunity society path that we would provide as an alternative to the Obama cradle to grave welfare state.
Then Sykes pressed him, starting to ask, “Do you think that it is absolutely essential that there be a Republican candidate who is able to articulate…?” And Ryan cut him off:
I do. Because this is how we get our country back. We do it through a referendum letting the country pick the path not by having a committee of 12 people pick the path or not by having just the inertia of just letting the status quo just stumble through by winning a campaign based on dividing people.
And when Sykes asked him whether he understands why some people think that person should be he, Ryan responded:
Well, I keep hearing that. I’m hoping that people will step up and I’m hoping that somebody – I can help them fashion this. You know my story and you know my answer – and I haven’t changed it. We’ve got a long way to go. There’s 15 months left.
Things may soon get interesting, my friends, very interesting. Just remember. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Cobalt Blue
Creative. Competent. Articulate. I think you answered your own question. No one is going to be perfect - I'd rather he had executive experience, maybe some military experience, maybe some time playing in the majors. But given the current field, he would appeal to far more moderates and conservatives, and by all indications, be a real leader in the coming years. No one else comes close. · Aug 16 at 12:08pm
These days a lack of executive experience seems to be a major advantage, at least in the primaries. When you govern, especially in a liberal state, you are forced to take positions and make compromises that will later be held against you as proof you are a RINO squish.
Case in point: as governor, Reagan signed the bill legalizing abortion in California. That alone would probably have ruled him out for me in the 1980 primary (had I been old enough to vote).
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
But there is a way to effectively handle that:
Press: The GOP has assailed President Obama for his lack of executive experience. What makes you think that you will do a better job than the President when he now has almost three years in the Oval Office.
Ryan: Unlike some politicians, I know what I don't know. With the proper staff I am confident that I can be an effective executive. Above everything else, America needs to get her economy back on track and this president has shown a shocking lack of interest and knowledge in creating jobs and opportunities for everyone. All he knows or cares about is expanding government and creating a permanent underclass that will vote reliably for the Democrats. He took the worst economy in thirty years and made it worse. It endangers America and it endangers the world.
Dec '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
EJHill
But there is a way to effectively handle that:
...
Ryan: Unlike some politicians, I know what I don't know. With the proper staff I am confident that I can be an effective executive. Above everything else, America needs to get her economy back on track and this president has shown a shocking lack of interest and knowledge in creating jobs and opportunities for everyone. All he knows or cares about is expanding government and creating a permanent underclass that will vote reliably for the Democrats. He took the worst economy in thirty years and made it worse. It endangers America and it endangers the world. · Aug 16 at 12:37pm
Yes, precisely the argument Ryan should use in addition to naming his nominees/appointees early. What about my other concerns though? What about losing Rubio in the Senate where he is 1 out of 100 versus Ryan as 1 out of 435? What about the foreign policy factor? Bolton has the strongest credentials and understands the relationship between fiscal order and foreign policy strength. Is Rubio equally convincing?
Oct '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Exactly. It's been pointed out many times with bullheaded bluntness--by me, in fact--and also stated very eloquently by many other members; a convincing case must be made to Independents and those not paying attention that the ever-increasing growth of government isn't sustainable. For a large part of the country, this is a bitter pill to swallow and it isn't difficult for the press to demonize the messenger when the message is so unpleasant. A Tea Party favorite like Palin, Bachmann, or Perry might be able to galvanize enough of the electorate to win the fight, but it will be a bloody civil war. It will be tough going no matter who leads, but an effective spokesman for the cause, Ryan or Rubio, will make it immeasureably easier and might be the only path to victory this election cycle.
Oct '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
I like the prospect of Ryan/Bolton, with Bolton bolstering the ticket in terms of foreign policy. EJHill's point above is valid and candid. In terms of the executive experience, the most recent Uncommon Knowledge discussing PM Thatcher had a great story about the Falkland Islands that caused me to rethink the necessity of executive experience for the Presidency.
Whereas I would have supported the Republican candidate in the voting booth, I would support Ryan/Bolton in the streets, with a strong part in my hair and a new set of round spectacles (though I would avoid the mustache). Not only do I find Ryan's policies on the budget frank and refreshing, he has the rhetorical skills to present conservative positions in a substantiated, intelligent, and non-threatening style that I think would cause young voters to intellectually challenge their views in a way they might never had before.
GOProsperity 2012.
Jan '11
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Some of y'all just knocking on Perry need to at least read through this:
http://www.redstate.com/izoneguy/2011/08/14/seventeen-17-things-that-critics-are-saying-about-rick-perry/
The man isn't perfect by any means, and I'm not 100% on the Perry bandwagon, but... jeez.
I love Ryan as much as the next guy, but can we relax on the Perry hate? Especially of the uninformed variety?
Dec '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
TheSophist: Some of y'all just knocking on Perry need to at least read through this:
http://www.redstate.com/izoneguy/2011/08/14/seventeen-17-things-that-critics-are-saying-about-rick-perry/
The man isn't perfect by any means, and I'm not 100% on the Perry bandwagon, but... jeez.
I love Ryan as much as the next guy, but can we relax on the Perry hate? Especially of the uninformed variety? · Aug 16 at 1:32pm
Thanks for the link. I skimmed it a little and will give it a full reading after work slows later in the evening.
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
The biggest case for Ryan to run as opposed to staying in the House is that he has to abandon his priorities for the nominee's. The Dems are still going to demonize his plan and he must allow a third party to defend it and hope that they don't throw him under the bus.
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
I think that Ryan would be great; he needs an older running mate who has been a successful governor. Not a younger guy. Romney, Perry, Pawlenty, heck, Jeb- take your pick. But an experienced executive.
Jun '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Western Chauvinist
Yes, precisely the argument Ryan should use in addition to naming his nominees/appointees early. What about my other concerns though? What about losing Rubio in the Senate where he is 1 out of 100 versus Ryan as 1 out of 435? What about the foreign policy factor? Bolton has the strongest credentials and understands the relationship between fiscal order and foreign policy strength. Is Rubio equally convincing? · Aug 16 at 12:54pm
If Rubio accepts a VP post on any ticket then the Republican governor of Florida is likely to replace him with another Republican. A non-issue.
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
About executive experience.
It's importance is not absolute, in my view.
But something comparable is needed in its absence.
Ryan's Roadmap was a stunning and game-changing act of leadership and political courage. He's been in Washington for nearly 2 decades (I think) without losing his moral footing. He's learned the way things work there; he's learned who he can trust and who he can't. He knows who the power brokers are. He knows the dangers and pitfalls around town. He's taken the measure of the opposition he's facing. He's practiced at holding his own in high profile debate. He's got lots of experience with a hostile media...
Unlike Obama, he's worked his way to influence by virtue of workmanship.
But his best feature is that unlike the other three contenders, he can win the enthusiastic endorsement of both wings of the party: the establishment fiscal types and the Tea Party moral types.
Apr '11
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Paul A. Rahe
katievs: If he's in, my tentative support for Romney collapses.
I'm for Ryan with all my heart and mind. Especially if he picks Rubio for VP. · Aug 16 at 8:24am
I am with you on both counts. · Aug 16 at 8:26am
I with you guys as well. I was watching Ryan speak a couple of days ago and was thinking, 'this is THE guy.' The only think that bothers me is that he is from the House of Represenatives. It breaks the you must be a Senator or a Governor rule, though it would be hard to guy argue that Ryan's 12 years in the House is less experience than Obama's 4 years in the Senate.
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
gpresley
Paul A. Rahe
katievs: If he's in, my tentative support for Romney collapses.
I'm for Ryan with all my heart and mind. Especially if he picks Rubio for VP. · Aug 16 at 8:24am
I am with you on both counts. · Aug 16 at 8:26am
I with you guys as well. I was watching Ryan speak a couple of days ago and was thinking, 'this is THE guy.' The only think that bothers me is that he is from the House of Represenatives. It breaks the you must be a Senator or a Governor rule, though it would be hard to guy argue that Ryan's 12 years in the House is less experience than Obama's 4 years in the Senate. · Aug 16 at 4:13pm
We heard in 2008 about how we hadn't elected a senator since JFK. I think many of those things are less important in a television age. People will have plenty of chances to judge whether he's ready. Ricochet's actually a pretty good forum for that purpose...
Jan '11
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
I'm going to withhold my love until he takes the ring. I've been hurt before, you understand ...
But just so that we all know what we're getting into ...
... let's just get ready for the fact that Professor Paul Rahe is going to be absolutely insufferable.
(That was a joke, by the way ... )
Edited on August 17, 2011 at 2:15amOct '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
And no one has ever so richly deserved the right to it.
Oct '10
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
And no one has ever so richly deserved the right to it.
Apr '11
Re: Paul Ryan May Soon Enter the Race
Easy solution: President Ryan could relieve us of such a burden by taking the good professor along to Washington as a senior advisor.
Severely Ltd.
And no one has ever so richly deserved the right to it. · Aug 16 at 8:24pm