Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Peter Robinson ·
August 13, 2012 at 6:47pm
In this morning's Transom, our own Ben Domenech frames the question of the hour--really, the question that will dominate the rest of the campaign:
Ryan has argued for years that candidates need to win based on advocating for their ideas, not just on playing it safe. The good news: we’re about to find out if Ryan is right. The possible bad news: we’re about to find out if Ryan is right.
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Comments:
Feb '11
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Well, I for one am disappointed with the Ryan pick. I had planned to spend the years of the Romney presidency griping and saying, “we wouldn’t have these problems if Paul Ryan were in the White House.”
Too many opportunities to be disillusioned, now, no matter how the election goes.
Dec '10
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
That's why Reagan won two landslides.
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
jetstream
That's why Reagan won two landslides. · 4 minutes ago
You said it, Jetstream.
May '12
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Play offense to win - big bold ideas.
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Exactly! Ryan has changed the entire feel of this thing, and what it comes down to is what you just said--the man plays offense.
Aug '12
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
The ability of Romney/Ryan to win is dependent upon on their ability to boil down complex fiscal problems and solutions into sound bites easily understood by the average American voter. Many Americans now realize that our country is in poor fiscal shape and headed in the direction of Greece. Whether or not voters can be convinced that they need to sacrifice for their children & grandchildren is another question--especially with Obama showering them with government handouts. Romney/Ryan have to keep their message simple so that it resonates with more than 50% of voters. It is a tall order but can be done.
Jun '11
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Hopefully, the good news is that Ryan is right. If not, I fear the country is in for big trouble. The contrast is so clear and can be framed so easily, IMO. The only promises of Obama that have worked are the ones that he didn't keep. The ones he has followed through on have been a disaster. Last election was about hope and change and we elected a vapor, a ghost that had no record, only rhetoric, and what we ended up with is an articulate dolt. He and his party haven't submitted a budget, he left writing PPACA to Democrats in Congress, and I, for the life of me can't figure out what is foreign policy goals are. He got through the Senate by voting "present" and now he is trying it with the Presidency. We have a presidential candidate that has been there and done that as a governor and a VP candidate that has fought for a budget and direction he believes in vehemently. If we can't frame the distinction and win, I will truly be scared for the country. Monday morning rant complete.
Edited on August 14, 2012 at 10:39pmOct '10
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Are folks as enthusiastic about R+R as they were about John Boehner?
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Issues are 11% of the vote. Add that to your party base and you still need more.
Mar '11
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
I'm with mattman. we must be willing to fight for something important -- but that also means a willingness to lose over it. as I said in a different post over the weekend, if we're not prepared to have this fight, because we are afraid the voters might reject it, then we are just having elections to see who will be better at "managing the decline". the die will be cast and our future pretty much set in stone. we don't have four more years to start fixing our structural problems.
There is a distinct possibility that 50.1% of the voters are past the point of being persuaded. They can't be weaned off the government cheese. They look at the eurosclerotic social welfare model and say "hey, that's not so bad". everyone on Ricochet who cares about this country's future (100%!) needs to talk with every persuadable person they can about this, but also must brace themselves. it might not work.
Sep '11
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
If we can't win elections arguing ideas then the Republic is doomed.
Everyone remember that Ryan won 65% of the vote in a Wisconsin district that is split 50/50 and which Obama carried. So despite the media narrative, he must have significant appeal to independents. He is the most articulate spokesman for conservative beliefs in elected office today.
Also remember that the normally left leaning politifact labeled the mediscare attacks on Ryan's budget to be the "Lie of 2011". The media can only carry Obama's water so far.
This is still an election about Obama's record, only now we have our best and brightest out there to make the argument.
Sep '10
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
The question of the day was asked by Paul Ryan on a Ricochet podcast:
"You mean THE Pat Sajak?"
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
We are about to find out if America can be preserved in something that resembles its historic form. We will be discussing the real issues in digestible form. If Obama wins, the voting public is Greece or France. If R-R win, we have a chance to fix the big things before we go off the cliff.
But at least we will have the real debate, instead of the usual shallow sound bites.
What is scary is how many people I meet who think that we can balance the budget as long as we raise the top tax rate, just as the same ostriches believe that the climate will be saved if we all just use CFL bulbs. And when you show them the math, clear and simple, they say you are not telling the truth.
There is none so blind....
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
We're going to find out if America is still America.
Better to find out now. It's nice to know Mitt get it...
Jan '12
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Mr. Robinson, I agree that in less than three months we will find out if being bold, forthright and advocating for their ideas brings success or not to Messrs. Romney and Ryan.
You are right, of course, that Ronald Reagan won with this approach, but he was also the 'captain' of the team.
Isn't the 'elephant in the living room' the degree to which fraud and gerrymandering at the time of the election (especially in key states), really going to determine the outcome, unless our team wins with such a massive landslide that nothing stops them?
Your thoughts, please.
Respectfully,
May '12
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Folks were enthusiastic about John Boehner?
Feb '12
Re: Paul Ryan and the Question of the Hour
Sure - I'm from Wisconsin, so I'm biased here (I'm not in Ryan's district).
The same characterization has been made here related to Gov Scott Walker. Are the voters ready to support tough decisions from a reform-minded candidate? In WI, we made that choice not once, but twice.
One state does not make a nation, but I believe it's a glimmer of hope that the electorate is ready for that "adult conversation" and to reward those with ideas and solutions.