Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
After the Republican debate last night in New Hampshire, a legitimate question for economic and fiscal policy conservatives is simply this: why isn’t Paul Ryan running? The Republicans in the debate acquitted themselves well—there were some surprises about how well some of them did—but they all have to be compared to Barack Obama. Yes, Obama’s economic record is bleak, but can Mitt Romney stir enough of the Republican base to come out to the polls to beat him? Can any of the others stir anyone other than the Republican base?
We can all agree that 2012 is the most important election we are likely to see in our lifetimes. Either we continue moving left with Obama—ObamaCare, Medicare and Dodd-Frank move beyond the possibility of substantial modification or repeal—or the country turns around. The last time we had a candidate for president who could articulate a free market position, and was enough of a believer to actually do what he said he would do, was Reagan—and the country and the world actually turned around.
We haven’t seen Jon Huntsman’s flag or his style; we don’t yet know whether he’s a Reagan—or a Bush. What we know is that Paul Ryan believes in something we believe in, and can articulate these beliefs in ways no other Republican candidate has yet demonstrated.
Yes, he says he’s not a candidate, but when the country needs you, that’s not a good reason.
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Dec '10
Re: Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
I was perplexed by Gingrich's debate answer explaining his Meet the Press answer on Ryan's entitlements plan. He said that if you're going to propose a big program, you had better make sure it's popular:
“It was a very narrow question, which said, should Republicans impose an unpopular bill on the American people?"
Thus if we determine that it's no longer affordable to give away free ice cream sundaes and cotton candy to every household every weekend, we should decide whether to repeal the program based on whether that move is popular?
A quirk of human nature is, while people may resent you telling them what to do in order to save them from dire mistakes, they generally aren't grateful to you for letting them make dire mistakes that put themselves in jeopardy, See what John Edwards said to his aide who'd warned him about his affair with Rielle: “Why didn’t you come to me like a [real] man and tell me to stop [seeing] her?"
Gratitude for saving someone from himself often comes late or not at all, but restricting one's actions to what that person likes is foolish weakness.
Apr '11
Re: Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
John Adams at great cost to his family and fortunes served when called.
I realize I cannot appreciate the great personal sacrifice I'm asking of Congressman Ryan but providence placing him at such an important juncture in history also cannot be ignored.
If he truly values his families future and the countries half as much I trust he will respond to this call to arms.
Jun '10
Re: Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
In a country of this scale and quality, is Paul Ryan the only person we can find or who can find us? Is anyone else amazed?
Edited on Jun 14, 2011 at 4:52pmOct '10
Re: Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
Apparently, Yes. To both questions
Re: Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
Needless to say, since I have said it on this site before, I agree with you 100%. I would like to think that Tim Pawlenty could pick up the standard dropped by Governor Mitch Daniels, but his performance in New Hampshire does not inspire great hope.
Apr '11
Re: Why Not the Best? (With apologies to Carter, J)
Can we can all agree that 2012 is the most important election we are likely to see in our lifetimes? It seems to me that I hear this every election cycle - going back as far as I can remember. I'm not saying Wallison is wrong, but it is certainly true that I've become desensitized to that claim. This is the first time I've heard it made in reference to 2012. Is there really broad agreement on this?