Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Diane Ellis ·
June 23, 2012 at 12:20am
This via Robert Costa at The Corner:
I’m reliably informed that Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Budget Committee chairman, has submitted paperwork to the Romney campaign. Sources confirm that he is being vetted for the vice-presidential nomination.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Don't you assume that five or six other people are doing the same thing right now? As for Ryan, I can't imagine that moving him out of the Capitol Building, and over to the White House, as understudy, would help his overall effectiveness.
Jun '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Vice President, yes...President, no???
Aug '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
I'd rather he stay in the House.
Nov '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
I think Ryan would be a great pick, and always thought he might make the short-list. Sure he's controversial, but the Democrats already use him as a bogeyman and Romney's gone too far to run away. The best way to make him a less effective bogeyman is to have him on TV. He's likeable, has working-class roots, and stays on-message (something I suspect is very important to Romney).
Also: Suppose the Supreme Court does not overturn Obamacare. Who could most effectively help Romney make a credible case against it?
Jun '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Speaking of Ryan, he'll be in Utah tomorrow evening to join Mia Love, Utah's black female conservative Mormon candidate for Congress. Details here.
I think we're going to see a stream of luminaries in Utah to help Mia.
She's a great candidate and is running against incumbent Democrat Jim Matheson, one of the last of the Blue Dogs. He must be desperate because he just announced that he won't attend the DNC.
Dec '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
I would much rather have seen him run for the nomination. I think he'd be wasted as VP.
Mar '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
If an offer is indeed put forward one can only hope Representative Ryan rejects it. His talents would be wasted in the VP slot of a Romney Administration.
This brings to mind a situation from the other side of the aisle that is instructive. LBJ had a well earned reputation as "Master of the Senate" before he accepted the Kennedy Campaign's offer to be VP on the ticket. Once Kennedy the candidate became Kennedy the President LBJ was completely sidelined, all the power he had in the Senate gone and no influence in the White House.
It took an assassination for LBJ to have the chance to birth his liberal entitlement state dreams. This is not a road one would like to see Representative Ryan have to go down before his views are given an opportunity to be fulfilled.
Apr '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Terrible idea. Ryan's budget is absolutely toxic in a general election, and I see no way to make it untoxic in five months.
Edited on June 23, 2012 at 1:16amMar '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Hmm, seeing this in a positive fashion it does appear to indicate Romney realizes that he does not have all of "the base" on board with his candidacy and he still inhabits a probationary zone. Considering Representative Ryan indicates that his campaign understands that not all conservative voters are in his pocket by default and that is a good thing. This strikes me as something of a McCain/Palin move.
Edited on June 23, 2012 at 1:36amJun '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
If the Ryan budget is toxic, I'd like to know why. This election will determine whether or not Americans can be talked to like adults, and make the adult decision. You can see our future in Europe where citizens prefer to act like spoiled children rather than accept the necessary medicine to save them from economic collapse. Obama intends to bribe everyone with candy and damn the consequences. If Americans aren't ready for the hard truth, then the republic is already lost.
Apr '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Roberto: If an offer is indeed put forward one can only hope Representative Ryan rejects it. His talents would be wasted in the VP slot of a Romney Administration.
This brings to mind a situation from the other side of the aisle that is instructive. LBJ had a well earned reputation as "Master of the Senate" before he accepted the Kennedy Campaign's offer to be VP on the ticket. Once Kennedy the candidate became Kennedy the President LBJ was completely sidelined, all the power he had in the Senate gone and no influence in the White House.
It took an assassination for LBJ to have the chance to birth his liberal entitlement state dreams. This is not a road one would like to see Representative Ryan have to go down before his views are given an opportunity to be fulfilled. · 40 minutes ago
I think this is exactly right.
Nov '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
The only downside would be the enormous sympathy vote that would flock to Biden after the VP debate.
Yes, Ryan would be great, fantastic, perfect--that mythical combination of "safe" and "exciting." (Did I mention "smart"?)
He would articulate (and understand) economic policy so much better than Romney ever could.
He'd help keep Romney from drifting into foolish compromises.
He'd appeal to younger voters.
He's Catholic, and could help complete a permanent shift of that demographic away from the Dems.
He'd rip the press to pieces, and make them like it.
For the small cost of a cape and some fake teeth, he could play Dracula at the White House Halloween Ball. (Think of the savings!)
And, perhaps most importantly, as Romney's VP pick, Ryan would be first in line for the nomination for the top spot on the GOP ticket the next time it opens up (whether or not Romney beats Obama).
I could get very excited about Ryan . . . and I don't ever get excited.
But my guess is that this vetting is just for show, and that Romney will go with one of the expectable "safe and unexciting" fellows, Pawlenty or Portman.
Apr '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
A good post at Hot Air on why Paul Ryan is not the best pick:
http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2012/06/22/contra-tina-i-prefer-jindal/
Apr '12
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan is the heart pick. It will the conservative reform vs sclerotic state election
Nov '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
I would like to know why having the Ryan budget front and center is such a bad idea. If indeed we cannot impress upon the electorate the importance of fundamental spending reform, then let's not even try for a conservative victory. Let's put our energy behind Obama and complete our transformation into the modern European state. But if, as it seems is the case based upon the recent victories in Wisconsin and California, that the American voters do understand our predicament, then I say let's show them a man who also understands the issue, and has a real plan to fix it.
Edited on June 23, 2012 at 6:06amOct '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
If the Individual Mandate is struck down, paul ryan will be one of the favorites for VP. Romney needs a reform message, he can't just run on being the anti-incumbent alone. (It may have worked with Obama in 2008, won't work this time.) The Wisconsin Recall helped push Ryan closer to the VP position.
Oct '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
jindal says he's not interested in VP. but if he is interested, i'd rather have him over ryan.
wmartin: A good post at Hot Air on why Paul Ryan is not the best pick:
http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2012/06/22/contra-tina-i-prefer-jindal/ · 3 hours ago
Oct '10
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
Astonishing:
He's Catholic, and could help complete a permanent shift of that demographic away from the Dems.
But my guess is that this vetting is just for show ...
Yes, we should be asking what demographic the VP brings. I presume that's what Romney is asking himself. I don't think many Catholics come along just because the VP goes to mass, however. Passing familiarity with American cafeteria-style Catholicism puts that notion to rest. The Catholic "shift" you refer to, recent Obama religious freedom smack-down notwithstanding, is at best nascent. I would not count on it this November.
Yes, Ryan's vetting is for show. The recent hullabaloo over the two-year Senator from Florida's supposed non-vetting tells you why Ryan is getting vetted. But Ryan brings along no one who might otherwise vote for Obama. That's why Rubio and Christie stay in our sights ... proven ability to get 'moderate' voters aboard a Conservative train in a critical, "swing" state. Romney is brutally analytic. Bain did not earn its billions through sentimentality or symbolism. Ryan would cheer up those who have no real choice but to vote for Romney regardless of the VP.
Apr '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
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.
Edited on June 23, 2012 at 2:18pmNov '11
Re: Romney Campaign Vetting Paul Ryan
I have a few comments:
1. wmartin is spot on. The Ryan budget is toxic electorally. If you want a thing that'd get Obama's base worked up, it'd be picking Ryan. It's not toxic on the merits, it's toxic because the Democrats made it toxic. They made it into feeding old people cat food.
2. Romney ain't that dumb. He's playing to win, so he'll pick someone who will make a big splash, get lots of attention and maybe win him votes. So I'd bet on Nikki Haley. She'd make a big splash and grab lots of attention. (And would be more reason for me not to vote for Romney.) A woman and a person of color! Who could resist! She'd have to pass vetting. Also, look for Romney's VP announcement to be timed to step on something big Obama is announcing or doing. Romney plays hardball.
3. For those of you who think Paul Ryan as VP would be a good idea. How! Why!? TheVP is a deadend! It has no powers, no bully pulpit. Good talent is so scare, why waste it on a VP slot?