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SEQUESTER: The Horror!
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Esquire Blogger Sees Paul Ryan, Shreds His Safety Net
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The Spectacle Blog
I’m an admirer of Paul Ryan’s but even if the rumors are true I stick by my original assesments. I think wonkish conservatives are overstating Ryan’s appeal to rank-and-file center-right voters. I think the vice presidency is a poor use for Ryan’s skills. I’m not convinced it makes the enactment of Ryan-like entitlement reforms any more likely than any other set of circumstances if Romney was already committed to those policy goals. If he isn’t, he’s just brought the man who could be his most credible Republican critic inside the tent. And if the ticket loses, it will push the Republican Party in a bad direction on entitlements and occasion some really annoying David Frum op-eds.
I’d be happy to be proven wrong on any of those points.
View all comments (9) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/08/11/still-a-paul-ryan-skeptic
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RJ| 8.11.12 @ 2:50AM
What we get from Ryan's selection is the most eloquent spokesman on one of the campaign's biggest issues; getting the budget under control before it swamps the US economy for good. Ryan is able to get his message across through a hostile media, which is a critical skill to have in the upcoming campaign. Its a good pick, much better than Pawlenty, Christie, Jindal, Rubio or McDonnell. Portman might have been very good too, but his association with Bush 43 could have led to a distraction during the campaign. Lately some conservatives have gotten discouraged. There is no need to be. It is early in the race. Just like football, as long as the game is close, being viewed as being behind in the second quarter isn't a big deal. We know what Obama's team has got; we haven't seen all of the Romney alliance yet. I am looking forward to a strong and happy 4th quarter. Waterloo in November with Obama leading the blue team to defeat.
Jack in Wi| 8.11.12 @ 6:50AM
I think Antle has it right. This team is too wonkish for the average voter. The entitlements are not the battle to lead this campaign. 50 million are on food stamps and many millions depend on Social Security as their last income. I don't think a campign of large tax cuts for the wealthy, and cuts in bennefits for people at the bottom is going to win the election in the middle of the worst depression since the 1930's is going to do the trick. I deliver food to food pantries and soup 3 days a week. The food goes like crazy. Most of the people picking up the food are older white people in the neighborhoods I deliver too.
Again I say tax cuts for the rich, endless wars in the Middle East and cuts in the entilements in a depression is the way to win this election. I like Ryan on a personal level and think he could well in debate. The ticket just isn't going to get the job done.
Jack in Wi| 8.11.12 @ 6:58AM
I ment to say soup kitchens. I also hope the ticket gives Obama a good battle but am highly sceptical of his budget becoming a major campaign issue.
rightasrain| 8.11.12 @ 7:15AM
I couldn't be more delighted. Finally, the MSM will be unable to ignore the man who not only recognizes our dire financial straits but has a credible plan to correct them. Good pick, Mitt.
Mimi | 8.11.12 @ 7:31AM
Mitt proves he will be a good leader...He couldn't have given us a better choice. He chose THE BEST!
Reggie Love| 8.11.12 @ 9:30AM
Given your writing at the American Conservative,a pro-Obama magazine,I'm not surprised.
Ross Kaminsky| 8.11.12 @ 10:03AM
Jim, I basically agree with your assessment. On the one hand, I'm more excited to support Ryan than Romney. On the other hand, I thought there were more and better reasons to pass on Ryan than to choose him, and I say that as a huge fan of Ryan's.
Ross Kaminsky| 8.11.12 @ 10:04AM
One other thing, though: I think that Ryan will do a better job appealing to the center-right than you think. He's affable, polite, funny, a "regular guy", and can rip out the other side's throat while never losing his smile.
Obadiah Plainman| 8.11.12 @ 10:42AM
There is much said about Ryan being too much of a "policy wonk". I'm at the point where I say, so what? Ryan himself has said that the American people are ready for and deserve to have an adult conversation about government spending and fiscal prudence. At the risk of admitting the many Americans are far too inclined to the soundbite culture, I think he's right. Moreover, it's high time we had a VP that can elucidate policy issues clearly and resonate with Americans....the VP position has been reduced to a mere campaign ploy, a gambit to solidify a weak region or pander to a demographic cross section. Ryan certainly has the Midwestern draw and may help land WI, but he does have the chops to deliver the goods. Think of it this way: a Ryan/Biden debate is going to be hellaciously entertaining because Ryan will destroy crazy Uncle Joe and not let up. And as a VP, he can be the messenger of Romney and of fiscal conservatism for 4 years, which will go well beyond any oversimplification of typecasting him as a policy wonk.