The American Spectator

Here are three excerpts from different publications today:

Derek Thompson, the Atlantic: “Two Visions of America’s Future”: 

In short, Rep. Paul Ryan offers something more than a rebuttal to President Obama’s speech tonight. He offers a completely different way of thinking about deficits, competitiveness, and social welfare. 

Alexander Bolton, The Hill: “Budget ax-man Rep. Paul Ryan is Senate Democrats’ new villain”:

Senate Democrats are pouncing on Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) role in delivering the Republican response to the State of the Union address to make the case that Republicans are intent on destroying Social Security and Medicare. 

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the master political strategist for Senate Democrats, wants to turn Ryan into a bogeyman that voters think about whenever they hear about a Republican proposal to cut federal spending. 

Lori Montgomery, Washington Post: “Obama won’t endorse raising retirement age or reducing Social Security benefits”:

More than two months after his deficit commission first laid out a plan for reining in the national debt, President Obama has yet to embrace any of its controversial provisions - and he is unlikely to break that silence Tuesday night.

While Obama plans to stress the need to reduce record budget deficits in his State of the Union address, he is not expected to get into the details and will instead call for members of both parties to work together to tackle the problem, according to congressional and administration sources.

Putting these three together: there are two leaders, with legitimately different views about government policy. Paul Ryan has articulated his views at length and in detail, while Obama chooses to allow his ideological allies to demonize him instead of offering an explanation of his own plans.