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The Case for Romney-Ryan
If selecting a vice president just means picking someone safe who won’t alter the tone or tenor of the 2012 race, then Tim Pawlenty or Rob Portman are fine vice presidential selections for Mitt Romney. But if Romney decides to play against type, setting aside his instinct for total risk aversion, I’d recommend he consider the potential of Paul Ryan as his choice.
Here’s the basic case. The general sentiment of the Ryan boomlet is this: unlike Pawlenty or Portman, Ryan changes the conversation in this election. The left might find that favorable; they believe Ryan’s ideas are too politically toxic to win on them nationally. But there are a number of reasons I believe Ryan is a less risky choice than some might argue, and unlike those who believe Romney can win with his play-it-safe strategy, counting on the unemployment situation to vault him into the White House, I think Ryan changes the conversation in a way that would prove electorally helpful to Romney.
A Romney-Ryan ticket would refocus both campaigns on entitlements, fiscal policy, and issues of debt and deficit immediately – issues that Romney feels he can lead on, where Obama has not, and where Ryan is an expert in arguing in the public square. Ryan sends a message about the seriousness of the fiscal challenge we face, one that Portman and Pawlenty do not.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2012
I really, really like Paul Ryan and his ideas, but I feel that we need his leadership in the House.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2012
His time for the Presidency will come in the near future.
Team America
August 4th, 2012
I like Paul Ryan. I think he would be a good choice next to Rubio.
MM
August 4th, 2012
Can you imagine the VP debate? The absolute dumbest MoFo VP in my life vs. Paul Ryan debating the fiscal cliff we’re hurdling towards? Unless of course we get Gwen Iffel-or whomever- asking her usual inane bullshit.
The best point the column makes is it would burn the spotlight on Obama’s disastrous economic record and his willful ignorance of the coming end of SS while he’s been fiddling(among an assortment of other feckless economic behavior).
Face it, the number one issue is this nightmare economy and Paul Ryan is the man to best address it.
Maudie N Mandeville
August 4th, 2012
Can you imagine an smiling, articulate, knowledgeable, photogenic, Ryan debating Biden?
David Henry
August 4th, 2012
Ryan is a very strong leader in the House. Our stronger Presidents have not come from Congress, they have come from Governors. I would like it if when time comes, Ryan would run for governor in his state, then make application to President. Same with Rubio. Just look at what we have now, a President that filtered up from State politics to the “peter principle” on steroids. (I will say, if it remains a beauty contest, who other than Ryan or Rubio, but at this time we need strong voices in both houses and we need to give them help with numbers in those chambers.) I wish he would pick Debbie Wasserman. I can’t stand her, it would be a big news article when she declined, and if she accepted, he could put her office in the basement without a phone.
moarkdave
August 4th, 2012
We need Ryan and the others in the Congress and Senate. Let Romney pick someone else.
Because once the election is over, the VP is neutered and can not do much on their own. They have to tow the same message and line that the President does.
If Ryan is VP, he has to follow Romney’s lead. His pushing behind closed doors will not be effective. But if Ryan is still in Congress, then he can be free to “push” Romney to the right with more effect.
NoMoBo
August 4th, 2012
Please people, can we stop pretending that Rubio is on our side? First he supports amnesty for illegals, then he chastises Michele Bachmann for daring to questions Huma Abedin’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Abedin personally has these ties, not just her family. I don’t like what I am seeing about Rubio.
http://pjmedia.com/blog/abedin-family-journal-promoted-muslim-brotherhood-views/
ruble
August 4th, 2012
I don’t often disagree with you bfh, but, I like Ryan in the house, and we don’t need to take Rubio out of the senate if we hope to shitcan harry. I also don’t like Pawlenty or Portman for veep.
bitterclinger
August 4th, 2012
Keep an eye on VA Gov. Bob McDonnell. I think he’s flying under the radar of most everyone — but not the Romney campaign.
Benson II
August 4th, 2012
We don’t need Rubio at all. Ryan will have his chance in the future.
I’m for two white guys……..OMG what did I say.
I’m for two white guys with experience that I think will not run the country into the ground and will not kowtow to our enemies. The presidential election is not “AMERICAN IDOL”.
Even though I’m from Ohio and voted for Portman for Senator(what choice did I have) he’s to big government for VP and I still don’t trust him on Globull warming. I think Pawlenty would be a suitable choice. He’s articulate, personable and EXPERIENCED. I see no reason to give into liberal political correctness by having a latino, woman, etc. Liberal heads will explode no matter who is chosen. If only that wasn’t hyperbole.
Corona
August 4th, 2012
Milton Friedmans’ Brain for VP!
What? We didn’t save it? That was stupid.
Death_By_Farts
August 5th, 2012
Agree with most comments; Ryan does indeed need to stay in the House.
In fact, make him the Speaker.
Chris Christie or Alan West as the VP. Romney needs someone who shoots from the hip, and will give him an electoral advantage. Alan or Chris would both be good for that.