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Special Report

Paul Ryan, the Catfish-Wrestling Cult Leader

By on 4.30.12 @ 3:12PM

The New York Times’ latest smear of America’s leading conservative Republican.

How nice of the New York Times to start their latest front-page Republican hit piece, this time against House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, by describing him as something like an anarchist, OCD, catfish-grabbing redneck cult leader, with other Republicans following his “marching orders” to destroy America’s entitlement systems.

In case you weren’t sure of the laugh-out-loud bias of Times reporter Jonathan Weisman, get a load of this belly-slapper: “[Ryan] also strongly favors a repeal of President Obama’s health care law, even though his own prescriptions for Medicare…are similar to the Obama plan’s for insurance expansion.”

Meanwhile, the House Budget Committee’s website has a detailed page on the differences between the Ryan “Path to Prosperity” and the Obama path to entitlement insolvency.

A GOP aide, responding to The American Spectator’s inquiry, offered this: “The contrast between the two approaches couldn’t be clearer - the President’s health care law puts 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare through the Independent Payment Advisory Board; the House-passed Path to Prosperity empowers 50 million seniors by making them and their doctors the nucleus of the health care system. True choice and competition is incompatible with a centralized government agency setting prices.”

Ryan’s September, 2011  speech at the Hoover Institution also makes plain that his view of rational health care policy could not be more different from Obama’s.

But the facts be damned! I have a story to tell, and it includes catfish and weight-lifting and Lunchables!

Apparently, it is also “not…clear whether [Ryan] has in interest in compromising or whether his sole goal is a Republican victory that is sweeping enough to enact his own vision.”

So, Paul Ryan is, according to Mr. Weisman, not just a wannabe Olympic weight-lifter and political version of David Koresh, but also a tyrannically-oriented narcissist. One can’t help but wonder whether Weisman noticed that his description of a single-minded focus on winning fits the current resident of the White House to perfection.

Weisman continues on this line about Ryan: “He does not drive stakes into the ground, he said, but he also made clear that compromise should come on his terms.”

Anyone remember Nancy Pelosi? From Roll Call magazine in January, 2009: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) parried GOP assaults on Democrats’ $825 billion stimulus package Thursday and refused to slow the bill down to give more time for Republican input. ‘Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes we won the election, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want sustainability or Republican support,’ Pelosi said. “

Anyone remember Barack Obama’s plea to Hispanic voters in 2010 to “punish our enemies”?

So much for Democratic “compromise.”

Back to the cult leader characterization: when talking about Paul Ryan’s vote against the Simpson-Bowles Commission plan, Weisman says Ryan “voted no, taking every House Republican on the panel with him and preventing the guarantee of a vote in Congress.” But of the seven commission members who voted against the plan, four were Democrats, including two of the three Democrat members of the House represented on the Commission. (In other words, Jonathan, in case your math skills are as challenged as your reporting skills, the majority of House Democrats on the commission voted against the plan, and the majority of votes against the plan came from Democratic commission members.)

In March of this year, when Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) offered an amendment to the Ryan Budget which would have “utilized Simpson-Bowles recommendations for establishment of the budget for FY 2013 and to set forth the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2014 through FY 2022,” the measure failed on a vote of 38-382, with only 22 Democrats voting in favor.

Then Weisman gets (even more) personal, noting with obvious disbelief that “those who know [Paul Ryan] cannot seem to dislike him.” The evidence he offers for such goodwill toward Ryan is a scathing attack from former Congressman David Obey (D-WI) who says that Ryan is “oblivious…to the pain his policies would cause people.”

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About the Author

Ross Kaminsky is a self-employed trader and investor and is a senior fellow of the Heartland Institute. He is the host of The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver’s NewsRadio 850 KOA at 11 AM on most Sundays. You can reach Ross by e-mail at rossputin(at)rossputin(dot)com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (45) |

Russell Seitz| 4.30.12 @ 3:33PM

Mr. Ryan's ascent from weinermobile-driving and catfish tickling to snake handling should serve as an inspiration to the youth of the nation in general and the public intellectuals of The Heartland Institute in particular.

My hat is off to him.

TLP| 4.30.12 @ 5:09PM

It wasn't that long ago that The One We've Been Waiting For, pronounced that: "the reason that things don't get done around here, is that, anytime somebody actually COMES UP WITH A PLAN to confront the problems of ENTITLEMENTS, the other side rips him to shreds. It's no wonder that nothing gets done around here."

"JUST WORDS?"

Apparently.

Anyone surprised?

markenoff| 4.30.12 @ 11:31PM

Similar to someone else's ascent from being a dog eater to POTUS.

PattyMor| 4.30.12 @ 3:48PM

One thing that Barack has done for us, is to display the radicalism that is on the Left. And we have now reached the point where they are all exposed and letting it all hang out. And you know what, a whole movement has sprung up to oppose all this because we simply can't afford to have you guys any where near the power in Washington, nor the states. We will turn the country republican one district and one senate seat at a time. Long live the Tea Party!

Osamas Pajamas| 4.30.12 @ 3:49PM

NYT doesn't get it. The more they lie and obfuscate, the less mainstream Americans like them, such that NYT axxwipes need only denounce something or someone, in order to increase its or their popularity. The NYT's reputation as a bunch of shameless, lying propagandists works to the benefit of those whom they wish to damage.

ENOUGH ROPE| 4.30.12 @ 4:09PM

Whenever I receive a subscription solicitation from the NYT I return it with a note that: Your paper is untrustworthy.

KennesawJack| 4.30.12 @ 4:23PM

I use mine for TP, then return it.

TexasMom2012| 4.30.12 @ 4:35PM

Lol, same with my newly received AARP invite!

Occam's Tool| 4.30.12 @ 4:38PM

I belong to AMAC, not AARP. I also return my requests for subscriptions to The Economist and the Justin Raimondo Journal to the senders with specific reasons why I will not subscribe.

KennesawJack| 4.30.12 @ 4:57PM

Occam, enlighten me. Why the Economist?

Occam's Tool| 4.30.12 @ 6:10PM

The Economist's position on Middle Eastern issues is closely parallelled by the Christian Science Monitor and the Obama Administration.

Any sane Jew stays a million miles away. Of course, any sane Jew wouldn't have voted for Obama in the first place....

KJ, you do brilliant work. You should check out Weasel Zippers sometime.

markenoff| 4.30.12 @ 11:36PM

Read the Economist regularly while stationed overseas 20 years ago. Recently renewed for a year using airline points that were about to expire. Learned that the Economist should really be called the Keynesisan. Constantly wringing their hands over government budget cuts. Austerity! Austerity! The Horror! The Horror! Plus they constantly mischaracterize the positions of the Rep candidates for POTUS.

markenoff| 4.30.12 @ 11:33PM

Save them, swap them out between postage paid envelopes and send them back. Let the AARP pay to get your NYT subscription offer in the mail and vice versa.

beebop2| 5.1.12 @ 6:00AM

What a damn fine idea!

Got a "free" sticker and a fund raising piece from 0bama. Cut the bumber sticker into pieces and wrote "not one dime" on the solicitation piece and sent them back at their expense. They have already audited my tax returns after my first ever donation to a campaign -- Palin/McCain -- so they can certainly bring it.

Wonder if the Slimes will do an expose on Dan Savage? Surely ..... or not. Wrote to Senator Sherrod Brown yesterday about his support for Savage and received a condescending and silly response. I am sure some junior junior junior staffer with a 'tude wrote it, but I answered the snot just the same. Must think that his constituents don't have the sense to vote for him. Funny enough? I intend to left him have that belief system remain further unchallenged!

RJ| 4.30.12 @ 4:04PM

George Orwell described a "news" organization like the New York Times in his classic book, "1984." However, I think that many of today's media types have migrated from cynical propagandists to uninformed fools.

kwan| 4.30.12 @ 4:05PM

Let's not forget that in leftist ideology/theology the natural state of man is to have the jackboot of an all-powerful central government firmly planted on the neck of the population. Supposedly to enjoy the sacred benefits of "fairness" and "equality".

Drunken Sailor| 4.30.12 @ 4:10PM

I can see the title match now.

Catish Wresting Redneck VS Metrosexual dog Eater.

Think I'll put my money on the Catfish wrestler.

TexasMom2012| 4.30.12 @ 4:42PM

I was just thinking today that O is our first metrosexual preezy... Kind of nails one of the things (other than his policies, beliefs and associations, et al) about him that has always made me queasy about O, he just doesn't have the masculine attitude that all our former presidents, except Carter somewhat, have always seemed strong. Whereas, O's limp wristed jog down the stairs of Air Force One is a perfect example of the ick factor. Other examples include: failure at first pitch, mom jeans, flip flops and his nanny nanny boo boo you can't see any of my school records etc.

solidground| 4.30.12 @ 4:56PM

Don't forget the pic of Obama on the mountain bike, wearing the helmet and the great big Gomer Pyle grin. It's the one pic that clearly says "sissy" better than any other.

JB| 5.1.12 @ 10:45AM

What in the hell does this POS POTUS riding a mountainbike with a helmet have to do with being a "sissy". Yeah, he strikes me as being about as masculine as Richard Simmons, but most of the guys I ride with you wouldn't dare call sissy to their face. Check it before you wreck it Mr. solidground. Cheers

KennesawJack| 4.30.12 @ 5:01PM

And metrosexuals don't have driveways that look like your's and mine!

Russell Seitz| 4.30.12 @ 4:24PM

The Times article's take on Ryan is that :

"His prescriptions in the Republican budget plan "

would:

" cut income tax rates and simplify the code, privatize Medicare, shrink the food-stamp and Medicaid programs and turn almost all control over to the states, and reduce domestic federal spending to its smallest share of the economy since World War II."

If this be anarchy, what's not to like ?

Ross Kaminsky | 4.30.12 @ 4:30PM

Hallelujah, Brother Russell

TexasMom2012| 4.30.12 @ 4:44PM

Yes love it although would still like agencies cut. And non essential budget items like NPR and cowboy poetry festivals etc!

Occam's Tool| 4.30.12 @ 4:30PM

Sorry: where's the catfish, Ross. Catfish are damn fine eating properly prepared.

Occam's Tool| 4.30.12 @ 4:36PM

Oh, I read the article (part of it).

He's a good guy. Mitt could do much worse than to rubberstamp his (Ryan's) stuff domestically. This would leave Mitt with time to blow things up real good in the Middle East, which will be the fun part of his Presidency.

irish19| 4.30.12 @ 5:39PM

With hush puppies. Don't forget the hush puppies. Although corn fritters would probably do in a pinch.
And beer. Lots of beer.
How you been, OT?

Occam's Tool| 4.30.12 @ 6:13PM

Better since you showed up, Irish. :)

Seriously: work is good, my kids are great, my wife is a saint, and my in-laws are fantastic. Life is pretty damn smooth.

I hope all is well with you. If you are going to Show up Fargoside or GrandForks side sometime, let me know a few weeks ahead, and I will get data to you through Ken, and I'll be buying, my friend.

My other friends here know the same applies to them.

solidground| 4.30.12 @ 4:53PM

Are candidates for a reporter's job (hmmmm, I don't recall front-page editorializing as the definition of "reporting," but then I'm terribly behind the Times, I guess (yes, pun intended)) at the NYT required to take an intelligence test? Apparently so--and only the stupidest ones are hired. No, I take that back. Only the ones that score highest on the liberal bias scale are hired. No, wait. They're exactly the same thing.

RonRonDoRon| 4.30.12 @ 5:28PM

Twain's comment on newspapers seems particular apt for the NYT:

"If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed."

John| 4.30.12 @ 5:53PM

Paul Ryan is a genius.

shipley130| 4.30.12 @ 5:56PM

It's kind of catfishy that the democrats don't want to pass a budget. What is the deal with that?

Richard Baker| 4.30.12 @ 9:01PM

And just WHAT exactly is wrong with catfish-grabbing? Sounds like a housebound Yankee castrati wrote this nonsense.

Jerome Bigge | 4.30.12 @ 9:06PM

If we wish to put people in charge of their health, then we need to eliminate the monopoly that doctors now hold over the supply of medicine by repeal of prescription laws as Ron Paul has suggested.

markenoff| 4.30.12 @ 11:43PM

And let's get rid of that pesky FDA while we're at it. Repeal the Pure Food and Drug Act!

Norm Klevens| 4.30.12 @ 10:16PM

Since the world's poorest writers and editors, at the NYT are having to go through a downsize in their retirement, they are out for blood. For Krugman and Co, they will now live with the result of their endorsed policies. Paul Ryan does not look for their affection.

POST American| 4.30.12 @ 11:24PM

---Great piece!

NOW, with 450 MILLION ROUNDS
of hollow point ammo comprising but
one months orders from 'Homeland
SICK--CURE--'IT'--he' (ON RECORD),
perhaps the wriere might take up that
other trifling matter of Andrew Breitbart's
coroner himself turning up DEAD by
poisoning.

EVEN the compromised authorities are
ruling --IN ---FOUL PLAY.

---BTW ---in this age of full spectrum,
pornographic surveillance, ANY updates, ANY
mention at all of the memory holed murder
of John Wheeler on the eve of that uncannily
HAARP-esque FUKISHIMA world nuclear disaster?????

WE'LL WAIT

aware| 5.1.12 @ 6:08AM

Is it possible for "conservatives" to be more gullible? Or stupid? Ryan and the vaunted tea party you put so much faith in just passed CISPA with even less attention from your own Chattering Class than we saw with NDAA.

This article(NYT) is distraction and you are swallowing hook, line, and sinker, idiots! Now you circle the wagons like good little dupes to protect a statist who just helped pass an important step on the road to the Police State.

Another critical right of privacy is on its way to the ash bin and you're safely sidetracked and probably don't even know it happened. As usual, you are fighting a non battle far away from the real constitution-destroying action. A perfect example of why "conservatism" has been, and continues to be, totally useless in stemming the tsunami of Leviathan Statism.

Keep on "protecting" the Limbaughs, Ryans, and Wests, since they are "your" guys. You sure aren't worth a damn at protecting the constitution you are always blowing hot air about, are you? It was your guys that passed this spy on citizens abomination.

We are in the shape we are in not because of the hated Left, they know what they are about, it's because you dumbasses are the most inept and stupid excuse for "opposition". That's assuming you really are the "opposition" you claim to be.

Jobe| 5.1.12 @ 9:10AM

Speaking of "dupes", Aware, I hope your cool aid is not the brand that Jim Jones used with his followers, because you have certainly drunk too much of it to produce rational thought.

aware| 5.1.12 @ 4:35PM

Unsurprising that you can't make sense out of it. Just keep thinking what you are supposed to like a nice little conformist.

WM| 5.1.12 @ 1:28PM

"Aware," you are not doing any good focusing on some pet issue like CISPA to make your case. Frankly, you look like an attention hound, and you could be accused of doing the same thing you accuse others of doing. You focus on one little issue while ignoring the vast wasteland that this guy has left in the really important areas such as fiscal solvency, rollback of the welfare state, and Constitutionally limited government. Paul Ryan's crimes against this country and this movement go way beyond one little vote on one little pet issue. Why aren't YOU mentioning them?

aware| 5.1.12 @ 4:33PM

Attention hound? No just little Toto pulling back the curtain. Do you even know what this bill does? Or NDAA? These 2 things are the most devastating constitutional assaults since the creation of the Dept. of Fatherland Security. Oh yeah, conservatives helped give us that too. I'm having trouble figuring out which side conservatives are on.

This "single issue" is typical of how we are quickly leaving a constitutional republic in the dust, and all the more galling is how "conservative" heroes frequently lead the way.

Ryan is a plant for the Ruling Class to disarm any tea party momentum on the budget. And its working like a charm.

The fact is claiming to be a "small government""constitutionalist" while voting to expand the State with such as this and NDAA makes you a hypocrite, and probably worse. Ryan is worse.

Only a statist at heart would support either of these outrages. Just another mile marker on the accelerating trip to police state land.

Jobe| 5.1.12 @ 9:08AM

My acquaintance with the New York Times is similar to my acquaintance with a skunk. I remain as far away from both as I can for the obvious reason. I must ask here, is this Weisman character a columnist, editorial writer, or a reporter. If he is either of the first two, I can accept his opinionated version of what is going on as merely wrong. If he is a reporter, he is the poster child for the dissolution of the respect which used to be tendered to journalists.

WM| 5.1.12 @ 1:22PM

The NYT may be a vicious left-wing rag, but conservatives have no business supporting Paul Ryan. Don't kid yourself - he is a statist who is absolutely committed to preserving the welfare state, and he doesn't even bother to hide it anymore. Every time he publishes one of his plans, classical free market pundits are all over it like catfish. If you did not know that, you have not been paying attention or reading the web sites that you need to be reading to stay informed. What really amazes me is the hypocrisy of the conservatives who jump all over liberals for their intellectual pretensions while fawning all over this guy for the same thing. Paul Ryan is an empty suit.

Paul Ryan is doing enormous damage to the country, the conservative/Tea Party movement, and ultimately the Republican Party by standing in the way of Tea Party budgets. There are plans to the right of him every year, but you would never know it because he hogs all the attention. Just how exactly do we plan to move the country to the right when every year, we support the individual who plants the flag for the status quo? CONSERVATIVES, YOU HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO PASS THE SAME STERN JUDGMENT ON PAUL RYAN'S PLANS WHEN TALKING AMONGST OURSELVES AS YOU DO LIBERAL PLANS.

aware| 5.2.12 @ 6:07AM

I couldn't agree more. Would only add that the Right could use a new vehicle to further its cause since "conservatism" is proving itself unequal to the task at hand. The nomination of McCain and now Romney proves this beyond all doubt.

Its becoming absurdly easy to get conservatives to vote for liberals. That is just what they will do in November.

What you are describing is cognitive dissonance, and it permeates the conservative movement now.

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