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Campaign Crawlers
Homecoming Day
Paul Ryan gets a warm welcome at his Ohio alma mater.
DAYTON, Ohio — Paul Ryan jogged onto the stage at his alma mater Wednesday afternoon and jokingly asked the crowd at Miami University, “Did my professor say good things about me?”
Ryan was referring to Richard Hart, the economics professor who became an early mentor to the young Wisconsin native who spent four years at the university known to college football fans as “Miami of Ohio,” to distinguish it from what fans of the Red Hawks refer to as “that Florida school.” And indeed, Professor Hart did have good things to say about his former student.
“Paul is a man of ideas, a man of vision,” Hart said during his introduction, recalling how he had discussed with Ryan the ideas of economists Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and Milton Friedman.
Two decades after graduating from Miami, Ryan has suddenly become the university’s most famous alumnus, even more famous than Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The formative influence Hart had on the young Ryan has, just as suddenly, made Hart one of the nation’s most famous economics professors. In the past five days, Hart has been interviewed by reporters from the Washington Post and dozens of other news organizations seeking insight into the views of Ryan, the 42-year-old House Budget Committee chairman tapped Saturday as Republican Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential running mate.
No Miami alumnus has ever had a homecoming like the one Ryan got Wednesday, as thousands lined up to get into the quad where Ryan spoke after introductions by Gov. John Kasich, Sen. Rob Portman and Hart. Attendees had to enter the venue through metal detectors and the crowd was under constant surveillance by Secret Service agents, some of them posted atop the roofs of nearby campus buildings.
Ryan began his Miami speech by paying tribute to the staples of undergraduate life at the campus in Oxford, Ohio. Among other things, Ryan proclaimed his love for the “Five Way,” a dish of spaghetti, cheese, chili, beans and onions served at the Skyline Chili restaurant on High Street. He soon turned his attention to the issues of the campaign, telling the crowd: “We are here to offer you a clear choice.”
Ryan mentioned that President Obama had given a speech Wednesday about Medicare, and the Republican issued a bold challenge. “We want this debate, we need this debate, and we will win this debate,” Ryan said. The Romney campaign has already begun that debate, issuing a press release Wednesday pointing out that Obama’s campaign spokeswoman called more than $700 billion in cuts to Medicare — cuts used to fund the so-called Obamacare health insurance program — “savings we’ve already achieved.”
Ryan’s mastery of fiscal and economic details prompted blogger David “Iowahawk” Burge to remark: “Paul Ryan represents Obama’s most horrifying nightmare: math.” If voters can be made to focus on the numbers — including the administration’s record deficit spending and historically high unemployment — it seems unlikely that the Democrat incumbent can be re-elected. And polls indicate that the “Ryan Effect” may already be making a difference. Not only does the Romney-Ryan ticket now lead both the Gallup and Rasmussen national tracking polls, but the latest Ohio polls also indicate a bounce for the Republicans since Ryan was announced as Romney’s running mate.
No poll is necssary to confirm a fact evident to any reporter who has covered the Romney campaign the past five days: Crowds are bigger and more enthusiastic, and the choice of Ryan has not only energized grassroots support, but appears also to have energized Romney, whose attacks on Obama’s policies have become more intense and aggressive. Republicans now appear fired up for a fighting campaign this fall, and nowhere will the fight be fiercer than in Ohio, a state whose 18 Electoral College votes have been decisive in previous elections.
“Ohio is so important,” Ryan told the crowd who turned out for his homecoming visit to Miami University. “You know this. You’re used to it. The Buckeye State could very well determine the future of our country for a long time.… This is the kind of election that shapes generations.”
Ryan concluded by expressing confidence that the Republicans will win that election: “We can get this economy growing. We can keep the government limited. We can get the job done. We can put people back to work. Together we can get this done.”
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
Appleby| 8.16.12 @ 6:43AM
The same thing happened when Sarah Palin joined the McCain campaign. Then the people inside the McCain campaign started working against Palin and the whole thing collapsed. I am happy to see things going well for the Romney campaign right now, but I'm going to wait and see.
Aristocat| 8.16.12 @ 7:38AM
Romney is no McCain...Thank God...He won't muzzle Paul Ryan....
Maxwell| 8.16.12 @ 8:11AM
Interesting that Paul Ryan has professors that actually remember him & that he studied Milton Friedman.
Second, if Ryan can break the numbers down ('Bidget Numbers For Dummies'), and illustrate to the general population the slight of hand Barry is pulling, life will be very good.
Lastly, hold town meeting in Fla. to explain to the seniors what is actually going to happen under Barry care, Barry will be toast come November.
c. j. acworth| 8.16.12 @ 8:19AM
I wonder when the MSM will start demanding to see Ryans college transcripts? And how will Obama look when he does?
Stephie| 8.16.12 @ 10:56AM
THAT C.J. will keep them from asking Ryan. They know it will bring the focus right back on their boy.
KennesawJack| 8.16.12 @ 12:51PM
I get the hopeful impression that, shortly after the
RNC, both Romney and Ryan will release their entire college transcripts. Then we sit back and watch how Obamarx and the MSM deals with it. Fun stuff.
Occam's Tool| 8.16.12 @ 3:01PM
Given that Romney was the VALEDICTORIAN of BYU his year, one can be pretty well assured of this.
It's nice to see intelligence beating demagoguery.
lost| 8.16.12 @ 3:05PM
But, but didn't Obama say he was going to make the government more open back in '08?
irish19| 8.16.12 @ 7:16PM
He said lots of things then.
FLDMD51| 8.19.12 @ 11:15PM
Paul Ryan came to The Villages, FL (pop. 61,000) this past Saturday and was very well received. He brought his Mom (good move!) and explained how he and Romney were trying to SAVE Medicare for his Mom and other Seniors. He came across as sincere, knowledgeable, humorous, persistent and honest! Approximately 6,000 people attended.
Von Mises Jr| 8.16.12 @ 8:33AM
I wonder if Paul Ryan can explain the LIBOR rate swap scandal well enough to make it understandable how the banks stole trillions with lies and insider manipulation. And "little Timmy" Geithner allegedly has his fingerprints all over it.
“Inquiring minds want to know” – National Enquirer
mike 3/505| 8.16.12 @ 9:10AM
"The formative influence Hart had on the young Ryan has, just as suddenly, made Hart one of the nation's most famous economics professors. In the past five days, Hart has been interviewed by reporters from the Washington Post and dozens of other news organizations seeking insight into the views of Ryan,..."
Where were all the reporters stumbling all over themselves to interview Obama's academic mentors?
DTOM| 8.16.12 @ 10:02AM
What educator in his right mind would want to claim credit for that septic tank load that is Obama's thinking?
I surely would run from that 'credit' as though ALL my hair was on fire!
DTOM
Maxwell| 8.16.12 @ 10:19AM
DTOM, with all due respect I must disagree. I'm sure Paul Krugman who is right down the street from me would love to have a beer with Barry & his wonderful wife. Yes, I know Barry did not go to Princeton but Mooch-shell did.
Stephie| 8.16.12 @ 10:54AM
The left knows that Ryan will cremate Biden in the debate so it seems he's meeting with obama today and 30mins after that meeting, Hillary is to meet with the prez. Is he getting rid of Biden for the old gal? Would she take the offer? I really didn't want this to happen. It would give obama that "first female" edge. Any thoughts folks?
Houdini| 8.16.12 @ 11:41AM
Hillary would be foolish to run w/BHO, first she would have to debate economics w/ Paul Ryan who would also tear her to shreds and when Barry loses, she would have been part of a losing team...not what she wants hanging around her neck come 2016. In addition, for the village idiot to dump Biden would confirm that he made an error in the first place. BHO the messiah does not make mistakes...that is for mere mortals.
Mimi | 8.16.12 @ 12:02PM
Stephie....If he throws ...good Catholic boy Joey under the bus...why would he choose Hilary?
The only good DEM there is Joe Lieberman....or maybe Evan Bayh....and why would they want to dirty their future up putting a stamp on all this dishonesty?
KennesawJack| 8.16.12 @ 12:56PM
Hillary will be the candidate. Biden is gone. The only thing that may prevent it is Bill telling her that, no matter what, a second Obamarx term will be a disaster and she will have no shot in 2016. To extend that line of thought, if Hillary is not on the ticket, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Clintonistas sublty sabotage Obamarx's re-election so she can run against Romney.
Drunken Sailor| 8.16.12 @ 2:11PM
Nope. at least not according to the Drudge Report just a few minutes ago. They are stuck with Biden. Good news for us.
KennesawJack| 8.16.12 @ 5:26PM
Yes. It is. It will be interesting to see if the last sentence in my comment proves to be prescient.
Mimi | 8.16.12 @ 11:35AM
We have all been so proud of Paul Ryan and many of us wanted him to run for President during the primary.
Mitt is a brilliant manager...he sees the whole picture . He couldn't have made a better match...And he picked the right man with the best skills for the biggest problem he will face in the days ahead....Jobs, economy and the urging of growth and prosperity. To have a straight shooter, talented speaker that is so well understood, and a Leader with HONOR and integrity standing beside him is frosting on the cake. I'm grateful and hope all of America is too!
If we think our opponents are looking "DIRTY" now.....just wait, start to worry....as their future looks dim the outrages will become more , and much more complicated, and shocking....Obama's history is not good to review , when it comes to failing to win elections. Their campaign is showing signs that the writing is on the wall for them and they KNOW it well!....It is our job to stay on focus ..don't lose faith in our choice of these two men....rough and trying days ahead...armor up PATRIOTS!
PsychoDad| 8.16.12 @ 11:52AM
Next scandal alert from Dear Leader's campaign cabal and the Collaborationist Media:
Paul Ryan admits to enjoying Five-Ways! Although a menu item at a restaurant he frequents shares the name with a bizarre sex practice....
Frekki| 8.16.12 @ 1:25PM
I live in Indiana, work in Kentucky, shop in Ohio. Obama is toast here. Biden isn't even a joke.
Occam's Tool| 8.16.12 @ 3:07PM
Frekki: yeah, I get the same feeling here. The problem for the Bummer is that nobody says, "yeah, I'm working for the Obama campaign" here except for one lovable loony left nurse (yeah, she knows I'm Conservative but we get along, probably because we both do our jobs well)---this was NOT the case in 2008, where everyone except me noted that they voted for Obama.
I work with a lot of Union reps, so they are voting for him, but, like the 1986 Bears who went 14-2 BUT did NOT win the SuperBowl (as opposed to the 1985 McMahon Bears), there's a lot of angst, as in "yeah, we beat them, but where's the humiliation" there, and those Bears ultimately did not even go to the SuperBowl, much less win it.
Bummer is toast. Burnt , unscrummy toast, with Biden pooh flakes on it as opposed to buttah.
Kingofthenet| 8.16.12 @ 2:27PM
Willard just said that his and Ryan's plans are the same.It's like Team Romney lives on another planet, and have NO idea whats popular in this Country and what isn't. I mean there HAS to be a few Republican ideas that are somewhat popular, why take a stand on ones that have been ALREADY shown to be stinkers?
Occam's Tool| 8.16.12 @ 3:09PM
Having Medicare and Social Security around to cover this 50 year old is a GREAT plan, since under Obama they will be toast in 16 years. Unlike you, King, I got my Doctorate at age 25, and it was an MD---I can do math.
DRed| 8.16.12 @ 4:00PM
Okay Occam. Let's do some math. Romney claims he is going to get federal spending below 20% of GDP by 2016. He's also going to at least hold defense spending at 4% of GDP. At the same time, he's not going to change social security and Medicare for those over 55. So in that time frame he's not cutting those programs. Now-you seriously believe Romeny is going to manage to get the largest budget cuts in American history through Congress while not touching the programs that make up more than half of federal spending?
Houdini| 8.16.12 @ 6:11PM
After you gut a few useless departments ie: EPA, Energy, Education, sell off surplus property, fire all Czars, cut the federal workforce by the amount it has grown under the village idiot, recind all regulations issued over the past 4 years, drill everywhere oil and gas are available, repeal or gut Obamacare, the economy will take off, and we can grow our way out of this mess. More paychecks equals less dependence on gov't services. For those of you that are recent products of our government school system, the federal government does NOT create jobs or wealth....that comes from the PRIVATE sector.
DRed| 8.16.12 @ 7:14PM
Congratulations, you just cut 2.7% of the federal budget, fired a couple hundred thousand people, and now we have nobody overseeing our nuclear arsenal. Phase 3 is prosperity.
Peter von Kowatscheff| 8.16.12 @ 11:02PM
What a frightened little rabbit you seem to be , DRed. Having that near-dry government teat yanked from your world terrifies you, doesn't it?
Houdini here has it down right, although I would counsel moderation by reducing the public sector with attrition and attractive severance packages. Don't want to enrage and panic your ilk and have it run around, distracting those with work to do and getting underfoot, what?
Freeing up those stupendous fossil fuel reserves pf yours and stripping all regulations pertaining to the "global warming" scam will generate such an economic boom, that the national debt will be a mere memory within a decade. Particulate pollution is what should worry us, not the harmless trace gas, CO2, which feeds our crops and trees and has been greening the deserts. Its all about cheap energy, don't you know? Cheap fuel leads to greater mobility of goods and people, experimentation, revitalization of manufacturing and oodles of surplus cash...which, if you think about it, represents energy and can be measured in calories. The trick, though, is to keep the old guv'mint from growing again when all's good, as has been the case in previous booms. We don't want to go through this sort of nonsense and watch your kind twist your knickers in knots all over again, now, do we?
PHILLIPBERNAL| 8.19.12 @ 6:30PM
I do not have a genius-level IQ or a PhD, but I have been broke before and in debt. Regards all of the above-stated comments; people, do not think that Romney and Co. will do anything different than Obama and Co., or Bush or Clinton and Co. The entire system is broke and corrupted beyond measure. I have yet to hear one candidate mention one word about abolishing the thousand and one programs of federal welfare. The current expenditures are almost $ 1 trillion annually. This does not include Social Security or Medicare. This is all of the welfare that is paid out of my taxes for three generations now of welfare-eater negros, illegal aliens, and various and sundry other minorities, and parasites. Do any one of you productive citizen commenters think anything will change by the actions of our elected representatives?