-
My Rahm Reunion
May 16, 2013 | 16 comments
-
The Left Hates Us
May 9, 2013 | 143 comments
-
Such a Dynamic Duo
May 2, 2013 | 49 comments
-
The Continuing Crisis
May 1, 2013 | 0 comments
-
Calvin Coolidge: His Times Are Our Times
April 26, 2013 | 22 comments
The Current Crisis
Newt and Paul Ryan
Gingrich is hopeless, Ryan just the opposite of that — which is why big things are expected from him now.
WASHINGTON — How did so flawed a man as Newt Gingrich get to the top of his party in the 1990s? For that matter, how did so flawed a man as Bill Clinton get to the top of our government in the 1990s? And — here I am giving you a hint to the answer for the above questions — how did so flawed a man as Dominique Strauss-Kahn get to the top of the International Monetary Fund and of French politics? All are about the same age. All have similar, shall we say, recreations. The answer is that they came from what is called the 1960s Generation. Now they are gone. There will be temporary reprises — more court appearances for DSK, an occasional public appearance for Bill, some more catastrophic missteps on the campaign trail for Newt — but for all intents and purposes they are history.
In Europe and in America the 1960s Generation was pretty much the same. It was composed of student hustlers who became national political hustlers. Some were rock prodigies who continued as rock prodigies, rather pathetically into middle age and, rather absurdly, beyond. They did not amount to a majority of their generation but they claimed to typify it, and their cheerleaders went along with the sham. They were called the most idealistic generation ever and the call was close. Other idealistic generations, for instance the generation that founded this country, fared better. Unfortunately, the 1960s Generation was flawed from the start and never overcame its flaws.
Let us hope that we have seen the last of them. The other morning in the New York Times David Hajdu, an associate professor of journalism at Columbia University, marked Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday by noting how many voices from the 1960s had recently turned 70. John Lennon (RIP), Joan Baez, Paul Simon, and George Clinton, were mentioned. Next year, Hajdu reverently enthused, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Brian Wilson, and Lou Reed will achieve their 70th. How long can this go on? Will no one from a younger generation note the obvious, to wit, in the arts and in politics the 1960s Generation was a bust.
There are no Faulkners, no Hemingways, no Fitzgeralds. There are no Aaron Coplands or a Virgil Thompson. In drama there is David Mamet, but that is about it. In Europe there may be a little more life in the 1960s has-beens but not much.
Newt is an especially loathsome figure, at least in his last phase, the presidential campaigner. Congressman Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, has taken on the biggest challenge facing America since World War II and the Cold War, our enormous entitlement and budget overhang. In a way it is a graver challenge than World War II and the Cold War, because cowardly politicians can duck it for a few more years. Then the bond markets and the credit raters will step in, and it will be too late for America. Our years of prosperity will be over. Possibly even our years of national security will be gone. Ryan has faced the threat manfully and he has the Republicans in Congress with him for now.
So in his first week on the campaign trail, Newt undercut Ryan, and in his remarks on Ryan’s plan to overhaul Medicare, the would-be Republican presidential nominee has given the Democrats a soundbite that they will play over and again: a corpulent Gingrich denouncing “right-wing extremism,” and holding forth against Chairman Ryan’s “right-wing social engineering.” Of course, it is not social engineering. Rather, Ryan wishes to control costs by his policy of “Premium Support,” a fixed-dollar subsidy allowing senior citizens to purchase private insurance options. The poor get adjustments on their premiums according to their need. The cost of healthcare will be controlled by market principles and consumer choice. Finally, the program will not go into effect for ten years so we will have plenty of time to fine-tune it. For people 55 years of age and older, nothing will change with their Medicare.
Paul Ryan is going to campaign for his 2012 budget one way or the other. President Barack Obama has made him the most popular Republican in the country. The boob Gingrich has seconded the notion. Ryan might as well go whole hog. Campaign for the 2012 budget and for the presidency. There are increasing numbers of conservatives and independents pulling for him.
About the Author
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; The Liberal Crack-Up; The Conservative Crack-Up; Public Nuisances; The Future that Doesn’t Work: Social Democracy’s Failure in Britain; Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House; The Clinton Crack-Up; and After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (118) | Leave a comment
More Articles by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
More Articles From The Current Crisis
http://spectator.org/archives/2011/05/26/newt-and-paul-ryan
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Consternated Conferences
- Her Unrequited Letter
- Downton’s Class System — and Ours
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Spectator| 5.26.11 @ 6:39AM
Ryan is trying to do too much by himself...
Leave Medicare alone...People have been paying into it for 40 years....Same with Soc. Sec. Get rid of Medicaid, Dept. of Education, outsource the depts. to the states & hire private workers, move the government out of Wash.DC, bring the troops home to guard our borders. Impeach Obama.
chuck| 5.26.11 @ 7:12AM
Medicare, Medicaid, and S.S. have to be reformed. These 3 programs are what is bleeding this country dry. All the other spending is just a drop in the bucket.
Johnny| 5.26.11 @ 2:22PM
One of the most maddening things I hear when the politicians discuss budget savings is "but it's only 100m or a few billion and won't make a difference". those drops in the bucket add up! Sorry for taking out my frustration on you but I'm over that excuse for not doing anything at all.
Clifford Wiesner| 5.28.11 @ 9:02PM
They have minimized solutions for years. 10 years ago they said that drilling for oil would take ten years to bear fruit. they are saying the same things now, ten years later. Reid is saying that Medicare, etc. is not now in trouble. he would prefer we wait until after he is retired and it is too late. Not exactly a patriot's answer.
TrueBlue| 5.26.11 @ 6:14PM
Reform the drops too in my opinion. Nearly all government spending habits need to be changed.
And put in some dang term limits on House Reps and Senators while they're at it. With none of this pension junk after one term either. Those top three need to be reformed I agree, but first thing we should do is deal with these lifelong politicians.
Our founders had nothing to include pay for Reps and Senators, they were elected to the position, went to the capital for their sessions, and then went home and held a REAL JOB. The only excuse against that (long travel times across the country by carriage or train) is no longer an excuse. They can fly out to DC, do their thing, and get back home in time for dinner for crying out loud. And that's without even using private planes!
TrueBlue| 5.26.11 @ 6:08PM
People will always be paying into those programs, they'll have to change eventually, and better now than later.
Gran Torino| 5.27.11 @ 12:13AM
Amen and amen!!! Good-bye, Newt, you freakin' hyprocrite, adultering devil! Conservative? You're as bad as John Edwards, Slick Willy, etc. etc. BYE BYE!!! Get a real job! What a minute! You already have millions saved up, am I right?
Deborah D | 5.26.11 @ 6:57AM
God bless Paul Ryan. He needs our support and he needs the support of those younger than the normal TAS readers. He can grab them with his honesty and intelligence. Honesty -- when was the last time you saw that word in connection with a politician. He needs to capitalize on that.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 12:43PM
Dream on ... the young don't fall for his misguided promises.
Al Adab| 5.26.11 @ 1:36PM
The young, dear friend, would like to keep their own money and use it (their property) as they see fit. They know that government promises to pay with debt produced, inflated dollars are no good
Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 2:15PM
They sure bought the hell out of some "hope & change" though. Now, they graduate college & sit on Mom's sofa playing Gameboy wondering where their job has gone & listen to Obama tell them about the tremendous recovery we are experiencing.
Albert| 5.26.11 @ 3:36PM
And of course, History has proven time and again that the YOUNG are the most intelligent and experienced of all of us, with wisdom gifted to them by the very nature of their being young.
"When I was a child [e.g. 'young'], I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." (1Cor. 13, 11.) Except Mr. Purple, of course, and the 1960's generation of hacks who just can't seem to grow up.
Interesting term, "misguided promises." Perhaps "misguidING" promises? Exactly what is Mr. Ryan promising and what is "misguided" about him that he should make such promises? From what I have read, Mr. Ryan seeks to cut Federal spending and restore Constitutional government in the process. I haven't heard him make "promises."
TrueBlue| 5.26.11 @ 6:17PM
All Ryan has done is introduced a plan that he thinks will work to control government spending. Nobody else has come up with another idea, let alone a better one.
Opposing something just for the sake of it is childish. If the opposition can't back it up with a plan of their own they should keep their mouths shut. This mudslinging needs to stop.
Jordan| 5.26.11 @ 7:06AM
1. Eliminate public health programs (Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, public employee care, etc.).
2. Eliminate private health insurance. Health savings of a business will be divied up 75/25 or so between the employees and employer.
3. Eliminate the Federal Medicare tax of 1.45% and Federal excise, estate and gift taxes.
4. Each individual State will instead collect the taxes mentioned above but considering no one will have to pay premiums and most peoples' wages will go up, the "Medicare tax" will be higher at the State level. Estate/gift taxes can be progressively divided between the States from poor to rich.
5. Combining the above tax increases with funds already spent by States and municipalities on health care, the enormous individual and governmental savings that come from not having to pay insurance premiums or manage the enormous government health bureacracy, and dozens of minor health reforms (tort reform, low-cost health clinics, heck even legalizing midwifery), and we will have a State-run system with absolutely no interference from the Federal government or private insurance.
I realize some conservatives may be opposed to State health care but there are legislative barriers that can be enacted to ensure that States do not intentionally attempt to distort the market by driving prices down and deincentivizing innovation and research, like what occurs in Canada/Europe. 50 Single-payer systmes does not necesarrily lead to a national Canadian/European system, it's just that those governments go beyond the role of financier and attempt to control peoples' care, and again, with legislative barriers guarding against government overreach we will keep our efficiency and research/innovation that have become hallmarks of American care.
chuck| 5.26.11 @ 7:16AM
I got a better idea, just get the government the hell out of the way, and out of medical care. Including all the damned mandated care in private health insurance. Let people buy the level of insurance that they want and need.
I do agree that Newt is a boob.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 12:45PM
They already do that. Obviously you've never used your "chosen" healthcare for any serious condition.
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:04PM
The imposed regulations create dependancy upon the Gov from the populace.
This is simple.
Why would the Gov do something to lessen there required presence?
The Gov is a parasite that lives off the labors of it's host, the people. Without such a dependance there would be less & less need for Gov - those days will not be seen until after the next American Revolution or never.
Jim G.| 5.26.11 @ 1:45PM
Not to be believed. How much more of YOUR life do you wish to make someone else pay for? Taxpayers subsidize everything from phone service to health care, etc., and still some can't "afford" it. In reality, the much-vaunted middle class gets the lion's share of government (taxpayer) money, NOT Wall St. bankers or the other oft-bleated about persons (behind only corporations, which we should fix immediately by passing a law that NO private corporation shall receive federal subsidies or other breaks.) We subsidize housing, schooling, food, etc., etc.,. The "middle class" realizing this, then goes and pisses away all of its money on snowmobiles, big trucks, credit card purchases, etc., and then when the "middle class" run into money troubles, it's all those dastardly Wall St. bankers who done it, and not the fact that the middle class spends every penny it has, plus about 50% of its gross salary on credit card purchases ( money it DOESN'T have) every year. As a result, the TRULY poor, who REALLY need help get none, so a bunch of ne'r do well "middle class" folks can spend more than they make year after year
Impeach Don't Wait| 5.26.11 @ 8:33PM
Let's dump estate taxes. Something about that just bugs me. Yanking money out of what your parents already worked for while they were otherwise paying taxes.... It's a crime against the right of ownership. I hate property taxes too but I s'pose we gotta live with 'em. Hmph.
Frank| 5.29.11 @ 9:28AM
Really? Then as a guy why does my policy include annual pap smears and breast exams? Because I don't get to choose what I want the state mandates what must be in the policy. D U M B liberal. But I repeat myself.
Nancy G Murdoch| 5.26.11 @ 7:23AM
And people could vote with their feet.
I've been attending budget meetings of my local county over the last several days. The amount of Federal money that is being mandated is staggering...and the majority of those mandated funds are for health, welfare and education. I now understand why the national debt is so huge...I'm actually surprised that it's not more than the behemoth $14 Trillion.
But when someone is brave enough to stand up and identify the problem, he is denigerated by his own party and POTUS.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 12:47PM
Reminder to all of the Tea Partiers on how we got to this point, this problem did not start on Jan. 20, 2009:
National Debt Increased by 75% under Bush:
2001 - $5.871 trillion
2008 - $10.640 trillion
National Debt Increased 25% Under Obama:
Jan 31st 2009 = $10.569-tr¬illion
Jan 31st 2011 = $14.131-tr¬illion
But of the $3.56-tril¬lion increase, 98% was carry over from Bush programs:
Bush: $910-billi¬on = Interest on Debt 2009/2011
Bush: $360-billi¬on = Iraq War Spending 2009/2011
Bush: $319-billi¬on = TARP/Bailo¬ut Balance from 2008 (as of May 2010)
Bush: $419-billi¬on = Bush Recession Caused Drop in taxes
Bush: $190-billi¬on = Bush Medicare Drug Program 2009/2011
Bush: $211-billi¬on = Bush Meicare Part-D 2009/2011
Bush: $771-billi¬on = Bush Tax Cuts 2009/2011
Bush's contributi¬on:
2001 to 2008: $4.769-tri¬llion
2009 to 2010: $3.181-tri¬llion
Total: $7.950-tri¬llion
Increase Since 2001 = $14.131 - $5.871 = $8.26-tril¬lion
Bush's contributi¬on: $7.950-tri¬llion / $8.26-tril¬lion = 96%
Increase caused By Bush's Programs: 96%
Increase caused by Obama's Programs: 4%
If the Tea Party had paid attention Instead of repeating "Deficits don't matter" when GW Bush and the republican¬s were borrowing and spending we would be better off.
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:13PM
Nice ploy & quite reckless & deceitful.
You boldly compare a finished work with a work in progress in an improvable attempt to proclaim...politicians spend too much money?
Nice move there fella.
Johnny| 5.26.11 @ 2:33PM
And who exactly is touting G.W. Bush here P.G.??? What is your point other than you hate Bush and love Obama??? I personally don't care for either, however, the fact remains that something must be done about our financial and health care messes. What are you saying that will help either?
richard ryan| 5.26.11 @ 2:56PM
This is repeated over and over in an effort to defend BHO: "look what GWB did!" Well, if you are going to defend limited government and conservative policy, do it directly. Stop hiding behind what government did under Bush. Most of us true conservative are unhappy with W also, primarily because he expanded the size of goverment.
Nick| 5.26.11 @ 6:55PM
PurpleJackass,
Projected National Debt by the end of 2016: $20 trillion
National Debt increased by O'Bama: 100%
This makes President Bush a piker,
and President Ditherer King of the Socialists!
Impeach Don' Wait| 5.26.11 @ 8:40PM
So you're saying we should vote Democrate if we REALLY want to control spending, right? Hmmm.
Larry| 5.27.11 @ 1:27PM
As always, there are lies, damned lies, and then there are statistics. You forgot that the biggest increases in deficits and debt of the Bush years occurred in 2007-2008 - when the Democrats regained control of Congress. Don't use these partisan ploys; both parties are equally responsible for these results. Obama QUADRUPLED the Bush annual budget deficit in his first budget. And the 2012 budget Obama proposes is not only not serious, it is a fraud in its entirety.
I am not persuaded by trolls who manipulate partial statistics for their own ends.
Frank| 5.29.11 @ 9:30AM
Using percentages is a ploy for the math challenged. Odumbo's amount was a great dollar amount which is what matters, not the percentage. Liberalism is a mental disease.
spoofproof| 5.27.11 @ 7:24AM
Before LBJ's Great Society depending on the local economy, the average daily cost of a hospital room was about the same as nice motel room in the same area. Then Big Government New Deal Great Society planners stepped in to help make it better...
Jordan| 5.26.11 @ 7:07AM
O ya, forgot to say, Gingrich IS a boob. Go Paul Ryan and please run for the Presidency!
Patrick| 5.26.11 @ 1:09PM
He might, in 2020.
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:15PM
Where? Another Obummer term and there will be no 2020 in this nation.
Nancy G Murdoch| 5.26.11 @ 7:10AM
Will all the adults in the room please stand up? Oh, I see...we have Paul Ryan...the real man and the GOP refuses to see he's the one with cojones.
Paul Ryan is attempting to tell the American "family"..."Look, guys, we're in trouble here. We have to make some hard decisions or our future is in serious jeporady. There's not going to be enough money to take care of us unless we start pulling together, and start making some tough decisions."
So far, we're letting the teenagers make the decisions...that and the senile oldsters.
Do some Americans think we can just declare bankruptcy and get a "do over"? There will be the day when we run out of other people's money.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 12:59PM
I would take him seriously IF he wasn't giving tax breaks to the upper incomes and will not allow tax increases to close the deficit gap. In addition, the Pentagon is hardly touched. Without those additional cuts and revenues, he's not serious about deficits - he's an ideologue - but it's understandable why y'all here like him.
Albert| 5.26.11 @ 3:39PM
Tax increases will never close the deficit. Fact of history that even Rome found out the hard way. (BTW, "deficit gap" is a redundancy.) The bulk of federal spending is domestic social services, e.g. buying votes with other people's money, and is flatly unconstitutional. You really don't know what you're talking about.
jacob | 5.26.11 @ 5:09PM
Purple, the top 10% of wager earners pay 70% of the taxes. Go look up the Laffer curve. We are well past the point of diminishing returns. The current policy is confiscatory and harms wealth creation. You should not oppose that. We need it if we are going to pay off the debt.
Going through life ignorant of the market forces is what yields the likes of GWB and BHO. The tweedle dee and dumbest of economics. I think Billy 'got it' better than these two idiots.
Larry| 5.27.11 @ 1:33PM
Tax increases will NOT close the "deficit gap," unless you plan on taxing 100% of all incomes above $200,000 per year. And thus destroying all of the wealth created in the economy. Then, next year, what is your plan? Before you examine the speck in Paul Ryan's eyes, you'd better check the board stuck in your own brain, you ideologue.
This canard of just "taxing the rich" and "cutting tax breaks to the rich" has been refuted time and again, and not just in the august pages of this journal. This is getting tiresome from you trolls. Come up with some more original scams, okay?
Frank| 5.29.11 @ 9:32AM
Tell me purpleguy, how hard must your life be to go around so damn ignorant? You could tax everyone making over $100,000/yr at the 100% rate and still not close the deficit. The Navy is required by the Constitution, you no, that pesty little document that mandates what the gov. can and cannot due.
Torpedo8| 6.12.11 @ 1:27PM
Where are the tax breaks, I'd really like to know? You know as well as I that the bottom 50% of households have a NET INCOME in terms of taxes paid. The only people who pay taxes ARE the RICH, so any tax cut would necessary affect them. Why would a tax cut affect someone who isn't paying any?
Agreed the Pentagon budget needs cut as well, but I quickly tire of your painfully overused diversions. And I find the concept that these pirates would devote 100% of any tax increase to deficit reduction LUDICROUS. Congress has already spent the SS "lockbox" and we're looking at $114 Trillion unfunded liabilty RIGHT NOW. All the taxes in Christendom wouldn't save the budget now if this parliment of crack whores continues to follow their brain stems. Twenty percent budget reduction - NOW.
Dee See| 5.26.11 @ 7:23AM
--Let's see, start making plans for the Obama
re-election parties
----------------------and DON'T FORGET to take
out a raft of new policies for birth defects, alzheimers, infertility and cancer which 'll be kicking in from the Fukishima fallout around the time Obama leaves office.
CHECK------------------
Mike Gabel| 5.26.11 @ 10:05AM
I'm glad your quitter mentality wasn't prevalent when we were struggling in the early part of our founding, World War II, etc.
It takes courage and faith to persevere through difficult times. We owe the greatness of this country to many brave people who didn't whine or quit when things got tough.
Now, grow up and get back in this fight. There will be no surrender to Obama's tyranny.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 1:00PM
You're right, man up and give your tax money until it hurts - your country needs your money now. Not forever, but now. Short of that, you aren't really serious.
Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 2:18PM
Purple, What should the federal tax % be on a guy who built a trucking company from the ground up & makes 500K??
Richard H. Davis| 5.26.11 @ 3:15PM
You think that the Federal government should decide your tax rate depending on how you came to earn your income? So should your marginal tax rate be more or less than that of a person who went to law school and opened their own law firm and makes $500k from suing trucking companies?
TrueBlue| 5.26.11 @ 6:24PM
Flat Tax, enough said.
Ground Control| 5.26.11 @ 3:41PM
You "man up" and give up your OWN money, assuming you actually have any money not doled out by the government. Leave my money alone, jerk.
jacob | 5.26.11 @ 5:14PM
The sponges are always talking about sacrifice. Other peoples sacrifice.
We have FAT 'poor' people. We have 'poor' people who own homes while collecting welfare? We have FAT 'poor' people who collect welfare and have color TV's, new sneakers, boats, cars etc?!?
It is a crock. It is gifts by the Democrats to voters, in exchange for votes. The Blue/purple parasite is killing the host.
Larry| 5.27.11 @ 1:38PM
Well, let's start with you, Purpleguy. Man up, and donate ALL of your money to the government! Anybody who would talk about being "really serious" should walk the walk. Unlike you, though, I'd like to keep as much of my earned money as I can. Spending is the real problem, and the government needs to stop its SPENDING. This problem will NOT be solved unless there is a concomitant long-term reduction in the role of government. Do you get that? No, I didn't think so.
But for all I know, you don't have a dime to your name, everything is given to you by the government. So talk is easy for morons like you.
Bob K.| 5.26.11 @ 7:24AM
Newt got to where he was and is now because he is articulate and smart, if not wise; but he could deliver and sell his message.
Ryan is not getting anywhere despite being smart and wise because he is not articulate and cannot deliver and sell his message.
roadmaster| 5.26.11 @ 7:59AM
I disagree, Bob. Newt is articulate, to a point. His problem is (being in love with the sound of his own voice) he doesn't know when to shut up. In an attempt to dazzle us with brilliance, he keeps going long after his point is well made.
As much as I agree with him most of the time, his baggage is insurmountable. He should have run in '08, got it all out and it would be old news. Instead, he's a deliciously HUGE target for the Down Stream Media.
Ryan is the most courageous congressman I've seen in ages. He may be the lone voice, crying out in the wilderness, but I believe he's got the stamina needed for the long run.
JayDick| 5.26.11 @ 9:55AM
I agree about Newt. In addition, he is not a real conservative. He wants the government to do what he wants instead of what the liberals want. That's my definition of a statist, not a conservative.
Bob K.| 5.26.11 @ 12:05PM
That's what I said.
Stamina won't help Ryan as long as people who listen to his speeches loaded with numbers and keep yawning and turn off the TV.
Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 8:46AM
Bob, You obviously have never seen Ryan interviewed or present his position. The guy CLEARLY has it. "It" being the intangible, magnetic charisma needed to persuade.
Bob K.| 5.26.11 @ 12:07PM
I've seen him. See above.
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:21PM
Bob, in your three statements you managed to provide us with the profound insight:
"Newt got to where he was and is now because he is articulate and smart, if not wise"
From there you reply " that's what I said" and "see above" as if it were some vinacation of your all informative statement that provided no information about where he is or where he was or has done.
Leave writing to the adults please.
B Kay| 5.26.11 @ 1:45PM
Congressman Paul Ryan is the first "positive" I've seen in the last 2 years. I've been paying into the system for decades, and I will "jump" at the chance to choose and purchase my medical plan. In 1979, my school mates and I knew that we would never see Social Security or Medicare, no matter how much the government took from us. We need more brave, Intelligent, Conservative Congress representatives. Where has the Republican leadership gone? We need more positive reinforcement from conservatives, for those who are stepping up to the plate to do something about it. Otherwise, who would bother doing anything? Sitting on our hands with our eyes closed won't work.
Steve A| 5.26.11 @ 2:23PM
Hey Bobby, I have a serious question for you. If Obamacare is the answer, why all of the waivers for his pals? I mean, help me understand.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 1:16PM
does he make your "leg" twitch?
Aces and Eights| 5.26.11 @ 4:38PM
Obviously, O'Bozo makes yours!
TrueBlue| 5.26.11 @ 6:27PM
What do you mean he isn't articulate? Everything he says makes perfect sense if you actually listen to it instead of expecting him to dazzle you with flowery words like the Dems do.
The system needs a LOT of work, so of course it's going to take a lot of time to explain exactly what he is trying to do, but at least he doesn't keep repeating himself just to make his speech longer (a la Newt and Obama).
Louis Jenkins| 5.26.11 @ 9:03AM
Newt is well past his prime. First he attacked Ryan's plan, then mellowed out the next day. What gives with this geriatric? Right wing ideology? Get real Mr. Newt. If we don't deal with this crisis it will be in bed with us forever. Perhaps Newt finds that attractive, but I don't. Make America financially sound! Support Ryan's efforts.
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:24PM
Narcosissm. The same signs are evident in all nacro personalities.
The same signs show vividly in Obummer too.
They both get offensive when something that might be beneficial is produced that they are not directly affiliated with. If it is not of nor from them it cannot be good. It will be cast out as the red headed stepchild to the good of no one.
John| 5.26.11 @ 9:08AM
The GOP is committing political suicide by embracing Ryan’s Medicare reform as evidenced by the election loss in NY 26. The Republican leadership should focus instead on Medicaid, wasteful foreign aid, bloated highway, education and health funding, crazy federal studies, etc.
Rush’s call to double down on Medicare reform at this time is going to drive the GOP off a political cliff. Any Medicare changes should first start with eradicating those who are gaming the system and pushing medical tort reform. Further incremental Medicare reform can be looked at after the 2012 elections.
richard ryan| 5.26.11 @ 9:29AM
Yeah, let's play political games and walk away from our conservative principles. To quote Mr. Cain: "How's that workin' out for ya??"
Doctor Right| 5.26.11 @ 12:35PM
Get real, and stop listening to Liberal sound-bites.
You obviously weren't paying attention to what was going on in NY 26.
Time to panic? Hardly...
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 1:21PM
I was - and Corwin was well ahead until she endorsed Howdy Doody's Medicare Death plan.
Then, she dropped like a rock. When the Tea Party candidate started dropping - his % was split between the other 2. It was just in November that Craigslist-boy got 74% of the vote and now the Democrat won ... Hmmmm what could it be?
jacob | 5.26.11 @ 5:17PM
McCain listened to guys like you (Plan B). That did not work out so well. Time for plan A. small government. Constitutional government.
Torpedo8| 6.12.11 @ 1:31PM
She was ahead until the democrats ran a fake Tea Party candidate to split the vote. If you think you can get away with this crap nationwide, I encourage you to do so. And oh yeah, keep that cute couple, Debbie Wasserman and Tony Weiner in the forefront, they are so YOU.
Mike Gabel| 5.26.11 @ 9:57AM
I've been posting this long before it became a common thought:
Run, Mr. Ryan, Run!
Paul Ryan is the adult in the room.
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 1:22PM
Please do
Mimi| 5.26.11 @ 9:58AM
Paul Ryan is one terrific POL! God bless him, he is just the articulate WARRIOR , and TRUTH and LIBERTY & FREEDOM person this country needs at the TIME. Every proposal he makes is wrapped with this freedom....What a great AMERICAN he is....And he deserves every bit of respect and support we can give him. I hope he re-considers a run. If we are lucky...he certainly would be some-one we could TRUST and that says everything!
Anthony| 5.26.11 @ 10:11AM
Whew!! I thought we had lost you RET, but it appears you have finally seen the light about Mr. Strauss-Kahn. Gotta love these billionaire socialists, where do I sign up?
Newt has become the R lizard of political posturing; as poster JayDick aptly put it, Newt just wants government to do what he wants, he is an elitist statist!!
Slick Willie, well, RET you always had him pegged.
The good news for America is that the Woodstock Generation is heading for the great composter in the sky, and not a moment too soon, either.
Go green, but go soon!!!
TURK| 5.26.11 @ 10:30AM
How many of the above are lawyers?
For those not, I ask have you ever heard of an area of the legal system called Elder Law? For those who are, I ask: have you ever done CLE(continuing legal education) on Elder Law?
A couple of years ago I attended a one day session on Elder Law. The thrust of the days enlightenment was discussion of how lawyers can advise "elder' clients with significant assets, on how they can legally rid themselves of said assets, in really creative ways that conform to the law in such a way that MEDICAID, not their families, can care for them in those GOLDEN YEARS. I always thought that medicaids purpose was medical care for the poor and disadvantaged. How many federal and state $funds$ are expended in this manner? Bet it's a heck of a lot of money the state and federal govts don't have.
Yesterday a flyer came through the mail for a coming cle program. It was from the Elder Law "Institute". Subjects in the flyer advertising the program include: Medicaid planning; Medicaid Planning Involving Real Estate; Medicaid Waiver Programs and Estate Recovery.
What say you Emmett?
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 1:24PM
And you have a problem that ordinary Americans can avail themselves of tax loopholes and the gravy train? Your corporate masters have already become experts in it.
jacob | 5.26.11 @ 5:20PM
And your Democrat handlers are any different? Look at the mess Fannie Mae has made. NoIncomeNoAsset loans, thanks Barney.
Roy| 5.26.11 @ 8:19PM
If any large percentage of Americans imagine this to be an argument, we are doomed.
anonymous| 5.26.11 @ 11:42AM
Mr. Tyrell -
Aren't you being a little hard on the 60s generation? You are one of them and you are not so bad. As for the old rock stars degenerating into absurdity, Paul McCartney is an exception to the rule. He just gave a concert here in Brazil. His voice doesn't have what it used to, but it was otherwise a big sucess and done in the best of taste. He even wore a suit like in the early days.
But from the comments here, nobody seems to care much about the 60s anymore - so maybe you have a point to a certain extent.
AgentRose| 5.26.11 @ 12:29PM
WHY DO WE NOT SEE THE COUNTRY'S ANSWER STARING US IN THE FACE?
PAUL RYAN is THE ANSWER!!!
Congenial, professional (in the face of outright rudeness and back-stabbing) intelligent, courageous, good looking, articulate, ON MESSAGE and has a first name similar to REVERE's!!!!
RINO'S AWAKEN!!! Paul is coming!!!
AgentRose| 5.26.11 @ 12:31PM
Paul Ryan is PATRIOTISM in action!!!
GO PAUL GO!!!!!!!!!
He would cream OBAMA!!!!!!!!!
Purpleguy| 5.26.11 @ 1:29PM
Please make him run ... I'd enjoy watching the commercial where Ryan throws Grandma out of her wheelchair and over the cliff.
Momof4| 5.26.11 @ 3:57PM
The fact that your party would make such a commercial says a lot.
Larry| 5.27.11 @ 1:40PM
I bet you would - but I'd replace Grandma with you and really throw you off the cliff.
Daniel Buck| 5.26.11 @ 12:42PM
During the 1980s, Gingrich attacked President Reagan and called Reaganomics a "failure."
Newt Gingrich is not a guy you'd hire to watch your back.
Dan
Dave Williams| 5.26.11 @ 12:52PM
Bob, I'll give you everything you said about the 60's generation being a bust politically (and a whole lot more), but I can't let your comments on the music stand. When I see 18-year old kids wearing Doors, Zeppelin, and Hendrix T-shirts, that pretty well tells me that their music has stood up extremely well. I mean, c'mon...that would be like me wearing a Glenn Miller T-shirt!
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:33PM
I'll be sure to pick up a Dennis Miller T when I see him later this year, heh.
SpiralArchitect| 5.26.11 @ 1:46PM
Not direclty to this topic but worth a read:
From John Bolton
http://washingtonexaminer.com/.....terthought
Mimi| 5.26.11 @ 3:07PM
Spiral...I read the article...excellent. , It will be interesting to see if Bolton will get into the race. His expertise is valuable, and an asset, especially for our security the # 1 purpose of Government. A big plus....He's an ADULT !
Craig Lee| 5.26.11 @ 1:56PM
DON'T THROW NEWT"S MESSAGE UNDER THE BUS !! Remember Apostle Paul the most published writer in 2,000 years. Now there was a once flowed person. Save this comment Bob. Newt wants to run a contract not a person ! Got it ! People as you rightly spewed are flawed. I'm 62 by the way and fit into your described mold. I guess you haven't been vetted yet ;) Newt will get an ironclad contract, smart conservative lawmakers will sign on, a suitable nominee will be run people like yourself will approve of, we will take the Senate, presidency, and retain the house. Congress will pass the contract, the president will sign the laws and America will start to return to prosperity. Why ? Because once the electorate realizes Newt did it before then they'll believe he'll do it again. No politician alive today has done more to turn this country towards prosperity than Newt and you know it. Conservatism works !For God's sake don't shoot the messenger !
ravenbran| 5.26.11 @ 3:05PM
I assure you, men of a certain age have been chasing hotel maids around for generations before that of the 1960s, and they will continue to do so for generations to come.
Mike Bills| 5.26.11 @ 3:17PM
I just re-read the transcript from Meet the Press that has generated so much hysteria from many of the writers at the Spectator along with many on the right regarding Gingrich’s comments. Let us look at what was said that merited such outrage.
(Transcript) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43.....cript-may/
REP. GINGRICH: "I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering. I don't think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate."
If social engineering is attempts to influence popular behavior through manipulation or coercion of individuals by government action why would this be desirable at all, regardless of one’s political leanings? Does the “right” now believe it is good way for a free society to operate to allow a government the power to impose anything on its people or just the issues they are for?
These seem to be questions of principle and one’s that require some thought. I have seen very little thought from the Gingrich bashing articles from the American Spectator lately and this one is no exception. It’s shallow, lacks substance and completely ignores the fact that it’s not flaws in a person’s character or the baby boomers that is destroying our country it’s our current no growth, high tax, over regulated, borrow and spend, governmental meddling, nanny state policies to name just a few.
Kevin Gutzman | 5.26.11 @ 3:20PM
The debt (excluding unfunded obligations) is just above $14T. Porkulus was just under $900B. Even if that were all of the deficit spending Obama was responsible for, that comes to 6.5% of the debt -- in two years.
Bush was a spendaholic. Obama wants to expand No Child Left Behind, retain Medicare prescription drug benefit, and otherwise one-up Bush. Really, we've gone from terrible to worse.
PattyMor| 5.26.11 @ 3:22PM
The problem with Newt is that he is infatuated with himself. The House had just passed Ryan's plan (which is admirable), and then Newt comes in and says its Right Wing Social Engineering. Newt, get off the stage and go back to your think tanks. You are way past the sell by date. You are the past; Paul Ryan is the future.
And Corwin didn't lose because she backed Ryan's plan. There was a fake Tea Party Candidate, which syphoned off 9% of the vote. And, Corwin didn't do a good job of defending the plan, that she said he backed. Without the fake Tea Party candidate, she would have still won.
ursula| 5.26.11 @ 3:54PM
I have often thought the 60s, not those born in the 60s, generation was overly large and overly confident and overly influentila. They took everything, university grants, the jobs, and nothing was left for the following generatin ( mine) in the UK anyway. The fashions were for thier generation and mine had punk. I ask you who would want that? So I was tailling on the end of a generation, trying to get the best and not the worst of it and realising early on how much they had thrown away. Interrestingly everyone of that geeneration was in a far left group which all argued with eachother. As they ditched Catholicism, I found it. As thy ditched humanity for educated conceit, I found the child in me, simplicity and inner integrity. As they campigned for abortion on demand, I struggled in hard circumstances with motherhood and found grace and love.
We have Palin and Blair and Barack, but we all walk too much in the big shadow of the generation before. We need a counter rebellion, taking the best form the generation before and retrieving the treasures of tradition they set to the trash can, Abortioon and sexual rights is where we should start the revolution with the right of a woman to mother her childl and the right of a woman to chastity. These rights will liberate the whole of society and enhance the status of women and all mankind.
Atheists believe in fairy tales, Christians believe in what is real.
Merlin| 5.27.11 @ 9:46AM
ursula,
Thankyou. Unfortunately, the 60's is still having its seriously negative impact on us.
Sara D| 5.26.11 @ 4:03PM
Let me begin by saying I am a woman.
I resent you lumping Newt with accused rapists. I do not support Newt, and I too am angry at how he undercut the brave and brilliant Paul Ryan.
But to say that "Newt is an especially loathsome figure" in the company of likely rapists is moral equivalency that is worthy of the morally bereft left.
And it is unworthy of you and this publication.
Sara D
Thomas| 5.26.11 @ 4:13PM
"How could this or that person reach this position . . . . . . . ." is what I think you asked. The answer to this question is quite often 'it's due to the Peter principle'! You have heard about it, haven't you?
Big Brush| 5.26.11 @ 4:39PM
Dear Jr., you are a real crackup.the Arts certainly were not dominated by the folks you mentioned so much as they were the most promoted and profitable for the money managers. How simplistic to characterize a Generation by such examples . the beat goes on, apparently,with yellow journalism.
amsron| 5.26.11 @ 5:09PM
Finally something we can agree on...lol...but so are Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Rand Paul...the list goes on and on. They're driving Republicans AWAY from the process and into the arms of Democrats.
As for the '60s generation, What the heck are you blathering about. Are we supposed to forget about the Craigslist Congressman, The guy who liked to fondle Interns, The "Wide Stance" guy, etc. (not to mention John Ensign)
You need to be on anti-psychotics, buddy.
jacob | 5.26.11 @ 5:22PM
@amsron
McConnell is a state-ist. You should love him. If ignorance is bliss, you must be one happy Democrat Drone.
all kind of brands | 5.26.11 @ 9:14PM
http://www.shop-bag.net
Chris Pedersen| 5.26.11 @ 8:50PM
It's time to take the gloves off and call a spade a spade, as in, a democrat liar is a democrat liar, and drag out the truth in front of the American People.
All of the Conservative Websites should relax their copyright standards and allow those of us with connections to conservative "Local Newspapers" such as in SW Missouri [a so-called swing state] to just reprint the great authors pieces and of coarse giving FULL credit to the author and website of the reprinted piece. not only this website but American Thinker,Red State et. al. to educate those who are not political junkies[no pun intended from the 60's] like those who remain employed, raise the families go to church, little league etc, etc. Everyday Americans.
The SW portion of the "Show Me State" has a Local Newspaper that covers 8-10 publications covering a vast amount of territory to get the truth out in the open. Those of us who submit our own work in the public comment section would identify ourselves as the person[s] tendering the published articles from the "alternative media" to debunk the [M]arxist [S]atist [M]edia that is indoctinating the masses.
In other words we're not here to cheat, alter, or change anything of the original content of ANY of the republished articles, just incorporate them within the pages of local consevative newspapers. This in turn would also get more and more of the conservative population in selected areas of the Country to become aware of these websites and draw more and more readers to the truth of facts and not liberal spin, lies and their horsesqueeze of scare tactics against grandma, grandpa and the kids.
The "Adults" in the room could work with the local editors, who are willing to do this if they got the green light to do so from these websites to expose the fine journalism that ONLY remains in the conservative circles.
I know this first hand, as a former democrat from Chicago in the Mobbed Up Daley 11th Ward for thirty years, but NOT ANYMORE.
SW Missouri is where it's at. Conservatism is the only way to live life to its fullest. God, Guns & Country!!
To Thy Own Self Be True! Proud To Be An American!
This website has my email, help me out here will you please!
all kind of brands | 5.26.11 @ 9:14PM
Hi! I found your blog on AOL.It's really comprehensive and it helped me a lot. Continue the good work!
http://www.shop-bag.net
MattZ| 5.26.11 @ 9:14PM
"The poor get adjustments on their premiums according to their need. The cost of healthcare will be controlled by market principles and consumer choice."
I think these are the most misleading and inaccurate statements in the article.
angelboy | 5.27.11 @ 1:23AM
Most what i read online is trash and copy paste but i think you offer something different. Keep it like this.replica gucci prada handbags
marker | 5.27.11 @ 2:11AM
The answer to this question is quite often 'it's due to the Peter principle'! You have heard about it, haven't you? Roll Forming Machine
rudy carlson| 5.27.11 @ 6:15AM
I think he is off to a very bad start ! He needs to engage his brain before he runs his mouth !
http://www.articlespeak.com/pr.....upon-code/
spoofproof| 5.27.11 @ 7:37AM
How is it that We The People have allowed ourselves to be railroaded by New Deal Great Society bureaucratic-minded politicians? The 60's generation allowed it to happen. Those who organized the "student protests" got the 60's kids hooked on sex, drugs, rock'n roll. And while the kids were partying hearty, people like David Horowitz (before his conversion) & David Mamet (before his more recent conversion) were working like termites to undermine the Foundations of The Republic. They said, "We will march through all of your institutions" and they have done just that. There is a big storm coming and everybody's gonna get wet. Time to pay the piper...
Greg| 5.27.11 @ 2:17PM
First let me say attempted rape is not in the same category as cheating on your wife. And second... Newt and Bill ----BALANCED THE BUDGET--- Something Paul is only trying to do. Even if you don't like them give them credit they are not part of the problem with deficits we have today.
further What company do you suppose is going to want to give medical insurance to an 80 year old person... particularly when you consider that we end up using 1/2 of all the healthcare we will use in our whole life in our last 6 months of life. I don't believe that Paul Ryan's program will work.
Roger H. Hammer| 5.27.11 @ 3:04PM
Mr. Tyrrell,
Your article was excellent, and I agree with your analysis. thanks,
Roger Hammer
Joseph Gause| 5.27.11 @ 7:30PM
We all have to push and pull for Paul Ryan's ideas. He and they are our last best hope for the future well being of the U.S.A., it's citizens, and our children.
Jenny| 5.27.11 @ 10:38PM
Memo to Newt: Just go away. Please.
Memo to Ryan: You rock!
Clifford Wiesner| 5.28.11 @ 8:56PM
Obama has the bully pulpit. The only way Ryan can compete is to call out Obama by challenging him to a nationally televised debate on the budget. Not once, but time and time again until he responds. If he doesn't Ryan can portray him as a man without a plan. If he does, Ryan can eat him alive.
The Anti-Newt| 5.30.11 @ 8:08AM
I'm sorry to say, Newt's had his day on America's political stage, and it was a pretty darn good one, all things considered. Newt's time is over now (just as it is for that other Georgian); little different from the careers of good pitchers and great quarterbacks. He just needs to recognize it. There is younger and better talent out there now, already effectively fighting today's battles. Newt asks us to overlook his failings but remember his achievements and send him back in. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. It doesn't help that Mr. Gingrich has been on the wrong side of some important issues of late from which he's been forced to back-track. That makes his judgement questionable (in a conservative sense) and unpredictable; characteristics we can ill afford this election cycle. Mr. Newt should touch the brim of his hat, give a faint nod to the crowd, and as the lights dim, quietly exit stage right.
Benn| 5.30.11 @ 12:00PM
Politican must have something positive in his program.Rayan`s circumcision of the budget is not enough for the crises liquidation. His childish isolationism(authism) and leftist`s games with the government is the ziro!!!
roll forming machine | 5.30.11 @ 8:31PM
Politican must have something positive in his program http://www.rollformingmachines.cc
tneeder | 6.7.11 @ 1:43AM
Those who organized the "student protests" got the 60's kids hooked on sex, drugs, rock'n roll. And while the kids were partying hearty, people like David Horowitz (before his conversion) & David Mamet (before his more recent conversion) were working like termites to undermine the Foundations of The Republic. plate heat exchanger