1 w00t

2 Perry/Ryan....that gets my heart going almost as must as Perry/Rubio.

3 Do it!

4 He has to stop being so coy with us.

5 As much as I like him, he's too valuable where he is.
Chill, Paul. Your day is coming.

6 I'm with Tami. Make him the veep. He'll be a lot more useful in that position.

7 It's getting later pretty early for a decision like that

8 My number 1 requirement for a presidential candidate is executive experience...

I completely agree..

9

DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN ALEX!

What I am horrified about, either as a presidential candidate or a vice-presidential candidate, is what the press will do to his family.  That may lead to my head actually exploding in rage.

 

 

10 Sorry, but he should have already done it.  Stay put.

11 Maybe this is why he didn't want a spot on the 'super committee'.

12

I'd normally be bullish on this.

But a long, long campaign of Mediscare would just be too much of a pain in the ass.  If we're going to get Mediscared into oblivion, let's to it after we take control of the levers of government.  Personally, I'd prefer that Ryan construct the budget that gets signed by our next GOP president.

13 Oh and....more good news.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 19% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -23

14

Hopefully he won't be subjected to any charges of being (pauses for breath): a prick-tease, opportunistic, stabbing the declared candidates in the back, flip flopping, bidet sitting Ryan®

Having said that, when a candidate makes noises like this, one or more of the following is happening:

he sees an opening (no true frontrunner)

he perceives a need unaddressed (believes his goals are not being adequately being addressed by the current crop of candidates)

he wants something, and this is leverage to get it. The most sinister, extreme examples of this are Sharpton and Jackson demanding bribes to stop their runs.

 

15 Well, running for Pres would give him extra cred for the Veep spot were he to do well.  It might cut some of the pain of having to vote for Romney if someone who I actually respect is in the veep position.

16 His "yes" votes on TARP and Bush's eleventh hour auto bailout would be interesting discussion material at the townhalls.

17

Meh.  I wanted Ryan before Perry got in, but at this point, the more people like Ryan or Christie get in, the more likely that Romney will win.

We did this last time. Romney and Huckabee gave us McCain.

I think Ryan, Bachmann and Perry would give us Romney.

I wanted Ryan to get in badly, but now I don't think he's win and I think it would give us teh candidate I want the least.

.

 

18 Executive experience is overrated. Besides, the more Republicans we have fighting against each other in a primary process the better.

19 The Exec experience thing is a hurdle- but one I think can be overcome.  More important, to me, are two things: He can't be a one trick pony- the Economy is supremely important, but other things are important, too. And if he's getting in solely out of "duty" is he more likely to be Teh Fred redux?

It's the same thing people were saying about Perry before he got in: is there "the fire in the belly?"  It was a fair question about Perry (even though many of us already knew the answer) so I think it's a fair question about Ryan.

20

If Mitch Daniels would have run we could have had the budgetary knowledge, the track record, and the executive experience. 

We're just going to have to pick the least rotten from the barrel in this election cycle, and continually looking for that undeclared savior isn't doing us any good. 

21 Love Ryan, but I don't see the point in him launching a POTUS bid right now.  I don't think he'd beat Perry and he might not even beat Romney.  If he was going to do it, he needed to do it sooner so he could present a more well-rounded picture of himself to the public - he's pretty one-dimensional now. 

But as VP, sure I'm all over that. 

22 Any chance he's angling for Secretary of the Treasury?

23 I implore you.

24 "My number 1 requirement for a presidential candidate is executive experience but Ryan is a guy I'd waive it for." Meh. Yeah sure, but has he ever ran a Misery Bus Tour? Pikers....

25

Also he's 41 years old. He's gonna be around a while. If we win in 2012 and 2016, we're going to need a strong candidate. He and Rubio are the best we have in the bull pen. There is no point in using them now.

Besides, I would much prefer him to have John Boehner's job.

26 love paul ryan...he'd make a great president....he doesn't have the charisma to be elected.....but if he ran i'd vote for him

27 (EL+OC)

Hmm.  That's funny.  You don't seem to have a problem dropping drive-by talking points about Perry.  So what is it about talking about a declared Presidential Candidate in relation to a potential, but undeclared candidate, that makes you wish for a "Perry Free Zone?"  Just out of curiosity, you understand.

28 VP, tasty. POTUS, premature... Perhaps.

29 Perry/Ryan.  *full-body tingle*

30 Perry + Ryan?  8 years of Perry followed by 8 of Ryan might get things back in order.

31 Perry/Ryan ...  as a VP candidate he'd crush Biden in the debates ... 

32 "If we win in 2012 and 2016, we're going to need a strong candidate...." Um, helllooooooo....

33 RINO

34 Can't vote for a guy who buys bottles of $400 wine.

35 Dick Soetero would absolutely wet her panties if she had to debate Ryan... And Ryan debating Joe would leave Biden looking like a spilled Slurpee.

36 Craaaaaaaaaap.

And I meant that in the best way possible.

I just spent a better part of the last week bashing Bachmann for her lack of executive experience. It would be hard to jump on his bandwagon being in a similar position.

Although at the end of the day she has a light bulb bill and migraines. He has the roadmap.

But Perry/Ryan...oh my!

37 Ryan v. Perry would be a tough choice but for once we'd have a tough primary choice. I'd love that.

Yeah, but Ryan/Perry/Bachman/Romney = Romney for President.  No, thank you.

38 I wonder, what would it be like to have a real "clean and articulate" technocrat at the wheel of the American economy, instead of an affirmative-action demagogue with a teleprompter to read from, and the media shovelling out propaganda for him?

39 Can't vote for a guy who buys bottles of $400 wine.

Posted by: overpaid rutgers haridan

 

Oh crap, I'd forgotten about that episode of the Twilight zone.

40 32 Perry/Ryan ...  as a VP candidate he'd crush Biden in the debates ...


Oh hells yeah.  Popcorn futures through the roof. 

41 PERRY/RYAN 2012: Shoot First and Balance the Budget Later!

42 @42 PERRY/RYAN 2012: Shoot First and Balance the Budget Later!

Thread-winner!

43 29 VP, tasty. POTUS, premature... Perhaps.

This.

I can see him as VP or a cabinet secretary, such as SecTreasury, but not in the Oval Office at the moment.

Considering that the VP is as important as their President makes them, he could end up being given a lot of latitude over financial matters and negotiations with Congress so that he can be as influential in that position as he'd be in his current budget slot in the House.

44 PERRY/RYAN 2012: Shoot First and Balance the Budget Later!

Posted by: Brian L.

 

I want this bumper sticker.

45 Brian's slogan reminds me, Perry is very shrewd in playing up his military background.  Very shrewd. 

It's not that it's a requirement for me to vote for someone for POTUS, but it is a distinguishing characteristic.  It also frees him up more in his VP choice -- lessens the "need" of picking a military or foreign policy expert as his Veep. 

So Ryan becomes a much more logical choice under those circumstances. 

46 Ryan/Rubio would be the most kick ass thing in the history of earth.

47 if someone can afford a 400.00 bottle of wine and pays for the 400.00 bottle of wine....what's the problem? it's not like they are mandating that YOU buy it....if you want to buy your cheap wine then go ahead.......

48 Ryan is brilliant.. and I love to hear him talk an budget and financial issues.. but compare him to Perry... style counts for something.. actually.. it counts a lot!  And Ryan just doesn't have the style.. the command.. to hold a room full of people while he talks.

Rubio is a much better speaker than Ryan.  I say leave Ryan in the House where he can do some good.

Plus, as mentioned above.. his Mediscare plan would be the only thing discussed.  Cutting the budget ain't gonna save us anyway.  We need a forward looking optimist who can grow the economy.. and I think that is Perry.  Romney has gone silent, so who the hell knows what his plans are.. Bachmann keeps spouting the same old tired canned phrases...  So, for now, I'm all in for Perry.

49 Assuming Ryan ran and won, he would be the first sitting Congressman to become President since Lincoln, who had no previous executive experience either, and it turned out pretty good. With Bachmann, I don't think it would work out so well. As someone upthread just noted, Ryan has the roadmap. I'm not going to discount what Bachmann has done for the Tea Party, etc., but we take this "lack of executive experience" point on a case by case basis. I think Ryan would make a good candidate.

50 Perry needs to grab Ryan for his running mate.  Great leadership, great hair.

51

Also, I do think we need an executive back in the White House, not a legislator.  Ryan has never had to prove he can govern and lead in crisis like Perry or (ugh) Romney has.

52 Ryan will not have trouble raising money. Ken Griffin from Citadel is a big supporter. I know many folks in Chicago with deep pockets that would gladly write big checks to Paul Ryan. The problem with Perry and Bachman is their strident social conservatism. Ryan is a social conservatism, but that isn't his raison d'etre. Romney is wishy washy. Almost too slick. Paul Ryan for President. Please.

53 It's not even fair that 80'sBaby isn't around for this thread.

54

Perry vs. Ryan?

To quote the inestimable George Takei, "what a delicious dilemma of deciding."

 

(Oh my!...)

55 OK, seriously guys, I'm still getting the C4 set around our Thunderdome just for the Palin Wars, do I have to add barbed wire for the Ryan Rumbles as well?

^{/starts recalculating theoretical tickets while muttering darkly}

56

I fear Ryan is too forthright and smart to be president.  Going through the debate on the debt ceiling where the Democrats successfully convinced people that cutting government spending means a "default" (when that's actually not paying the interest on the debt) has convinced me America on the whole is too stupid, or systematically misled, to go nose down to avoid the crash.   Like Air France we're just going to keep pulling back on the stick and hope for the best.

 

 

57 "I wonder, what would it be like to have a real "clean and articulate" technocrat at the wheel of the American economy" Are you implying that all black presidents are dirty and speak in slang? I find no evidence of the ghetto in Barack Obama. He's a clean, well-spoken Negro.

58 We did this last time. Romney and Huckabee gave us McCain.

To an extent. But to a much larger extent, the media gave us McCain. It will be interesting to see how much influence they have this time around.

59 I think this would have been great news several weeks/months ago. Now, as someone above mentioned, it just makes it easier for Spinnin' in the Wind Romney to be the nominee (which, IMHO, makes it easier for President Petulant to be re-elected). I'd vote for Romney in the general if I have to, but I sure as hell won't be happy about it.

Sit this one out, Paul...the VP slot would be nice, plus you're still plenty young enough to replace Perry after his 2nd term by running in 2020.

60 He ain't running. No matter how hard Drew flails his Ryan woodie - it ain't gonna spew. Just sayin. Now as head of the economic team appointed by the WH, he might be exceptionally able. He doesn't have the political chops to win.

61 Ryan has never had to prove he can govern and lead in crisis like Perry or (ugh) Romney has.

And promoting the Ryan Plan with even his own party against him qualifies as...?

Yeah, it's not quite what you mean, but still, give the man some credit...

62 Paul Ryan is probably an OK candidate. I don't know a lot about him other than his 'Ryan Budget Plan" (which I didn't think went far enough).

But his problem is he doesn't have any name recognition outside of Party faithful and WI. It is a little late in the game for someone w/o name recognition to be making up their mind to get in. You can get by on that if you have a LOT of money to buy air time with. I haven't seen any indications that he has a LOT of money.

Perry pushed it about as far as you can get and Ryan still has said he will or not.

63

if someone can afford a 400.00 bottle of wine and pays for the 400.00 bottle of wine....what's the problem?

 

I believe, at some point, you've had enough wine...It's time to spread the wine around.

64 OTOH, as someone noted, think what a Pres. Perry could do with a Ryan walking tall in the House. Speaker?

65 The only sitting Congressman I'm voting for is......RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!

66

Paul Ryan is pretty darn good, but he has some serious flaws folks. Look at his record. When push comes to shove, he is a good establishment follower.

Also, he is not tough enough to fight the fight it is going to take to beat Obama. The 2012 election is going to be the ugliest one in American history. The race card, threats of riots will be on full display. Ryan will not play dirty enough to win. Rick Perry will. Like it or not, Perry has the biggest set of danglers on an R candidate since Reagan. That is high praise.

67 It moved.

68 After the success/not-success of Ryan's plan during the supposed debate last month, I don't see what propels such a consideration.

We already have a great candidate or two going nowhere (Cain and McCotter).  I don't see Ryan getting anywhere except a cabinet position out of it, and it would cost a lot of money he won't have, unless he runs like Al Sharpton.

(100% earned media.)

69 Day dreaming about Ryan debating Obama is better than my Powerball Jackpot dreams and about as likely

70 What's his position on mosque construction?  I hope heth not dethspicable!

71 No Gravitas.

72 55

Perry vs. Ryan?

To quote the inestimable George Takei, "what a delicious dilemma of deciding."

 

(Oh my!...)

Posted by: Warthog at August 16, 2011 10:59 AM (WDySP)

Fap Fap Fap

73 If he actually is reconsidering, I wonder how he feels about Perry. As for a presidential run, I think he should stay where he is for the time being. Assuming a Republican win in 2012, his talents would be best put to use by being appointed OMB director.

74

I believe, at some point, you've had enough wine...It's time to spread the wine around.

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at August 16, 2011 11:01 AM (ur80R)

What part of 'you've had enough' isn't clear to you...?

75

>>>>>So Ryan becomes a much more logical choice under those circumstancesI think for the average vote, military service is nearly meaningless these days.

Ever since we went to a volunteer military, the military has been segregated from society.

Gone are the days when everyone had an uncle or brother who serves in this or that foreign war.

For example, I bet everyone here is related to someone who served in Vietnam or WW2.  And I'd bet that 80% of the public aren't related to someone serving in Iraq or A-stan.

So people who value military service tend to be secluded or Republicans/conservatives.

Look at our last several president.

Obama - no service

Obama beat McCain who is essentially a war hero(even if he is a douchebag of a politician)

Bush- air national guard during vietnam

Bush beat Kerry who actually served in Nam even though it was dishonorably as a medal hunter

Bush beat Gore is served in Nam, albeit as a reporter

Clinton a draft dodger beat two WW2 heros in Bob Dole and Bush 1.

Reagan didn't serve overseas in WW2.

Etc etc.

While military service might be important to you and I, it doesn't seem to be all that important to the general public

76 "61 He ain't running. No matter how hard Drew flails his Ryan woodie - it ain't gonna spew. " Colorful but likely correct. However, is this Ryan's way of saying he is open to VP? It is awfully late for a new POTUS hopeful to jump in.

77 Aren't you forgetting someone, Mr. DrewM fellow?

78 i will bitterly cling to my 400.00 bottle of wine and hit anyone who tries to take it from me upside their head......

79 The problem with Perry and Bachman is their strident social conservatism. Ryan is a social conservatism, but that isn't his raison d'etre.

Perry doesn't strike me as stridently socially conservative.  I think he's the same as Palin -- personally very solid on lots of those issues, but no indication he'd govern that way as POTUS. 

He was wise to approach things from a state's rights issue, while maintaining his support of constitutional amendments should the states decide to go that route.  Basically what that signals is: I am who you've seen me to be (pro life, pro traditional marriage), but I am not going to be pushing those issues as top priorities, particularly not out of the gate.

This is in stark contrast to both Clinton and Obama who pushed social issues very early in their presidencies. 


As for Bachmann, it's harder to gauge, in part because as a legislator bills are all she has.  She can't really run on management style or other executive qualities.  So if he legislative record is chock-a-block full of bills that are "social issues" items, then it is a little harder to say with confidence that those won't be high priorities as POTUS. 

80

<i>Ryan v. Perry would be a tough choice </i>

Bzzzt, wrong.  Ryan by a country mile.

81

Posted by: F--- Nevada! (I'm AoSHQ's DarkLord©, and I approve this message) at August 16, 2011 11:01 AM

I think you're off-base with the "whole party against him" kick.  Boehner and Cantor put their necks on the line to press the Ryan budget as party policy.  The only one who really came out against it was Gingrich, and that sealed his fate right quick.

Also, leading on an idea in Congress is not real leadership; I don't buy it when Bachmann makes this argument either.  The buck stops with an executive.  Even the most controversial legislator can wait out the news cycle if one of their initatives goes sour - governors stay the main focus.

82 besides....a 400.00 dollar bottle of wine in a restaurant is really like a 100.00 bottle at the store....

83 MY DREAM COME TRUE

84

Ryan would be jumping in too late to be able to overtake the entire field.  He is too valuable where he is to lose him to full time campaigning for the next year when he won't win the nomination.

Now, if he were selected as the VP candidate by the nominee, that's a good thing, as it would give him the executive experience he needs--after which he could run for president himself, or even go to the Senate for a couple terms and then run for president (would still only be 61 after 8 years as VP and 12 years in Senate).  Plus, it gives us another year of him bulldogging away at the budget to help frame the arguments and mindset for the 2013 budget, which is where the real battle will be waged.

85

It also frees him up more in his VP choice -- lessens the "need" of picking a military or foreign policy expert as his Veep.

Dammit - hot coffee hurts when it come out your nose!  Don't say things like that right after someone mentions Biden.

And apropos of nothing - why don't the ladies in the race (or potentially so) get a goddam microphone so they don't have to raise their voices so much when they speak to a crowd?  It is just a fact that people do not associate high-pitched voices with leadership, and even a woman witha pleasant voice at normal volume can seem to be screechy if she has to speak very loudly to be heard!  Mike up, girls!

OTOH, in my years of flying, I always looked forward to hearing a female voice from the tower - they are much more understandable than a man over the crappy sound-quality found in most VHF aviation radios.

86 Um, helllooooooo....

^{_{Posted by: Sarah Palin (tm) at August 16, 2011 10:53 AM (6uiF7)}}

 

Sarah. 

Saa-a-rah-ah...

No time is a good time for goodbyes.

87 No. Didja read the Taranto thing comparing Obama and Bachmann? Same thing applies. Executive experience required. Another bad thing - what does he run on? He would HAVE to run on the "Ryan Plan." That is a very confined space from which to run a campaign. And, the Ryan Plan left me cold. Trump was right in his critique if not his method - it put something out there that can be attacked over and over and over. And Ryan can't say, well, I only agreed with this part of it because the whole thing is a good idea. No, he gets married to the whole dang thing, every jot and tittle. And he isn't able to adjust his positions from it - say, hey, here's a different way to arrive at this solution, because the "Ryan Plan" has been touted as being very powerful, and promoting growth. Not to mention that it was actually weak tea, and committed to over $6T in deficit spending over the next 10 years. Going to need to raise the debt ceiling to do that. Ryan is a smart guy and has good ideas - that doesn't mean he should be President.

88 While military service might be important to you and I, it doesn't seem to be all that important to the general public

Good points, but don't forget that Obama's biggest achievement right now is killing Osama. 

Obama will run as CiC.  You can bank on that. 

If we ran say a Romney/Ryan ticket, then Obama would say they are technocrats who don't know anything about protecting America, either domestically (they're killing grandma!) or militarily. 

89 Romney will be the nominee.

Continue on with your dreaming.

90 If Paul Ryan (or, be still my beating heart, Chris Christie) actually gets into the race, then he's my guy, no doubt about it. 

Perry is a decent candidate in theory, but he's already started making some bad slips on days two and three...that Bernanke comment was...unfortunate.

91

It moved.

Maybe it was getting uncomfortable?

92 Ryan either needs to stay where he is, or go to Treasury in a Perry administration. While the debt is a huge problem, it's not our only problem - we have foreign policy challenges too, and we don't need a fiscal wonk, good as he may be, trying to rebuild our standing around the world militarily and diplomatically. We need a good executive - a decisive leader who's shown skills at delegating tough tasks to effective people like Ryan. We need guys like Ryan more narrowly focused on their areas of expertise.

93

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at August 16, 2011 11:03 AM (o2lIv)

There you are, . 

I was about to say something similar, but you beat me to the punch, and said what I was thinking ever more eloquently than I articulate.

Ryan is a great man, but his powers are better served in Congress rather than as VP, or even President. 

94

To an extent. But to a much larger extent, the media absolutely shitty campaign Romney ran and the complete lack of money Huckbee had gave us McCain. .

FIFY

Yeah, remember when McCain ran a "great" campaign in the primary and then an "absolutely shitty" campaign in the general? Wonder how that happened...?

95 Boehner and Cantor put their necks on the line to press the Ryan budget as party policy.

I seem to recall their support was rather weak, though I may be misremembering it--when you're going from stupidity to stupidity, the details tend to blur.  (Which may be their plan, such as it is.)  In any event it was quickly chucked for their establishment-brewed weak tea, for better or for worse.

I should also note, he was the first to come up with a credible plan for our side.  He didn't wait for the 'leadership', they followed his lead (if grudgingly).

96 Ryan > Perry.  Hands down.

Second, you pick Ryan and you are tied to his plan.

I don't have a problem with this.  I understand the politics of it, but don't we want, doesn't America need a President that says this is what we want to do and how we are going to do it.  Or we can get another Obama who said nothing committed to nothing, does nothing.

97 One other problem I have with Ryan getting in now is that we already have too many people in and they are screwing up what little benefit the polls have.

We don't need new people getting in now, we need some of the lower tier people getting out. All of those candidate who score less than 5% on the non-news polls (which are worthless) need to drop out.

98 He's a good-looking rascal!

99 Any Republican candidate is going to be painted as a cross between Bull Connor and Torquemada on social issues, with a side order of Ebenezer Scrooge. Remember, in the last campaign liberals were bitching about that arch-reactionary John McCain and how he was going to destroy everybody's freedoms. They dont' care about the truth, they just make shit up. So nominate the best candidate, period. Right now, I'm leaning to Perry. Ryan is a bit too much of a policy wonk, and frankly I think he's better employed in Congress.

100 Posted by: Toto at August 16, 2011 11:06 AM (ur80R)

...oh come on, we weren't THAT forgettable!

101 102 eddie is that you judge napalitano?

102

Are you kidding? That Bernanke comment was absolutely spot on. He is boxing them in, because the only way, I mean only way JEF even has a chance at re-election is by Bernanke going full on QE3 and QE4. If he does, prices will rise that everyday people notice, and Perry can point out the obvious.

That was a very smart move on Perry's part. It is part of pushing a larger, lont-term narrative.

103 Not so fast.

104 I just have to ask, coz I'm a freakin' moron...

What makes people blurt out:  so-and-so "isn't running."

We know they don't know for sure.  They know we know they don't know for sure. But they say it anyway.

Is it supposed to demoralize their opposition?  How does that work? Like a voodoo doll with pins?  'Cause the evidence is pretty clear it don't work in any measurable way.  Is it supposed to be a show of support for their favored candidate?  How does that work, exactly?

I don't get it.

105 Besides, dealing with this debt/deficit problem is going to take far longer than 1 or even 2 Presidential terms - Ryan needs to be in a position where he can affect the budgetary machinery long-term and keep it going "towards the light", so to speak.

106 Paul Ryan would not be a strong enough candidate to repel the onslaught of racism Obama will unleash.  Perry may be the only candidate that could.  Obama will send out legions of his "good Germans" to flash mob the malls and cities, and we need a candidate with experience to counteract that-to put down the fear.

107 Also, I do think we need an executive back in the White House, not a legislator.

I'm ready for my second term baby!

108 The more non-libertarians enter the race the more likely it becomes for Paul to win. This is going to be a strange race.

109 @#93...I was thrilled with the prospect of a Christie candidacy too, until I found out he seems to be almost completely clueless about the threat of radical Islam and spread of sharia in the U.S. No thanks, not for the times in which we live.

110 Hey, what was this Ann Coulter stuff lately? She was all hot for Christie, said we would nominate Mitt and lose... But is she now pining for Mittens? Correct or no? Someone have a read on that? 'cause I'm too lazy to google on mobile and I like the snark y'all will provide, gratis.

111 I don't get it.

Posted by: K~Bob at August 16, 2011 11:11 AM (9b6FB)

You'd think they be using those powers to win Powerball, huh?

112 In any event it was quickly chucked for their establishment-brewed weak tea, for better or for worse.

The Ryan budget will never pass a Democrat-controlled Senate.  Period.  (Incidentally, that's the main thing stuck in my craw about primarying ourselves out of a Senate majority.)  It was always symbolic in this Congress.  Boehner and Cantor have failed us before, but they didn't fail on that.

113 Can't vote for a guy who buys bottles of $400 wine.

Posted by: overpaid rutgers haridan

There's nothing wrong with a $400 bottle of wine as long as the taxpayers are paying for it.

114 I don't have a problem with this.  I understand the politics of it, but don't we want, doesn't America need a President that says this is what we want to do and how we are going to do it.  Or we can get another Obama who said nothing committed to nothing, does nothing.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes
...........
That plan looks good on paper, but it has lots of flaws...  it just scares the shit out of people who would enter Medicare under those new rules.  There's a lot of rosy assumptions he makes that I think would likely never pan out.

115 I live for this blog. I ache for this blog. This blog is my blood, my lifeforce, my soulmate. I will be trying this recipe soon.

116 He's not, One Senate term, two Terms as Governor and he will be Ronald Reagan Ready.

117

1. No executive experience

2. Voted for TARP

3. In the House

 

So basically he is Bachman but voted for TARP.

I'll stick with Perry.

 

118 Posted by: Guy Fawkes at August 16, 2011 11:09 AM (4nfy2)

We may want it, and America may need it.  But America doesn't want it.

And I don't even like him as VP.  What is with this insistence that we take all the people we like (Rubio, Ryan, West, or whoever) and place them in the rather useless Vice President's chair?  Come on, folks, let's remember that we've got to work all the levers, and that means having our best and brightest everywhere, not just the Executive.

I don't want Paul Ryan to get into the race.  I don't think he'd go anywhere, and I do think that he'd make it just that much more likely that Mittens would be the nominee.  I don't even want him in the Cabinet.  I want him to stay where he is, trying to make an actual difference in our budget.

119 I cannot give Ryan my endorsement. Beyond the practical realities that preclude a young representative from jumping to the White House, there are things about Ryan that just give me the itch-ass. Primarily, that he has had politics as his singular focus throughout his entire life. Went to school for it, interned for it, did nothing but run for it. No executive experience. No experience in anything that doesn't involve politics. Fine, let him work his way to Speaker of the House. At least thay way, he has to earn his job every two years. But Leader of the Free World? No thanks. Anybody who craves political power as much as this guy should be limited in how high he can ascend. I give him Two Jackboots Down.

120 President Obama cannot run on his record - I don't think the "it was bad luck" line is selling. He can't run as Hope and Change because he is the Man. QE3 won't save his beans because it won't work any better than QE2. Of course he is going to muddy the waters and *any* Republican is going to get the Palin treatment (an aside, I find it funny that the libs are going aww, too bad about that nice Pawlenty fellow, he seemed like he wasn't as crazy as the rest of you terrorist wingers, because if he had been the front runner he would have been savaged just like their best pal John McCain). But that only goes so far. He needs a new aspirational focus for his campaign - I think that means Slow Joe retires and (ideally for him) Colin Powell runs as VP or Hillary Clinton.

121

First win the WH and the Senate and then a Ryan like plan is possible. Remember, once you pull that trigger (entitlements reform) you will pay for it electorally. So we are going to commit hari kari as soon as we win? This is different from the Dems - how?

 

Take WH/Senate/House and kick start the economy. Then nibble at entitlement reform. I would prefer to take on Tort Reform first. Its popular and cuts the Dems off from their funding monkey. Dittos unions. Lets cripple the left and then think about entitlement reform. Then you will live to talk about it. 

122 What is with this insistence that we take all the people we like (Rubio, Ryan, West, or whoever) and place them in the rather useless Vice President's chair? Come on, folks, let's remember that we've got to work all the levers, and that means having our best and brightest everywhere, not just the Executive. Exactly.

123 107 Not so fast.

Honestly, I am not sure he can. Where is his groundwork outside the PAC?

124 Ryan has been in DC for too long. Got that taint. We need people from outside that cesspool.

125 I see no compelling reason for Ryan to get in. He is better off, and we are better off, with him on the budget committee.

126 114 Hey, what was this Ann Coulter stuff lately? She was all hot for Christie, said we would nominate Mitt and lose... But is she now pining for Mittens? Correct or no? Someone have a read on that?

'cause I'm too lazy to google on mobile and I like the snark y'all will provide, gratis.   Coulter sucks. She is all for the establishment. She just pretends to be somewhat conservative to sell books. She only goes flaming liberals to make money and draw attention to herself. On a lot of issues, she is right there with Bill Maher.   Guaranteed she is very liberal when it comes to the social stuff, and she rarely makes a convincing argument for conservatism at large. She is a tool, and doesn't really like conservatives all that much. Ask yourself this, you think she would rather spend time with big city liberals or backwoods conservatives? There you go.

127 Hey, what was this Ann Coulter stuff lately? She was all hot for Christie, said we would nominate Mitt and lose... But is she now pining for Mittens? Correct or no? Someone have a read on that?

My understanding is that he is backing the Stormin' Mormon but it's not a love affair, it's more of her take as to our best shot of freeing us from the current administration.  She'd drop Romney if Christie ran.

128 "Primarily, that he has had politics as his singular focus throughout his entire life. Went to school for it, interned for it, did nothing but run for it. No executive experience. No experience in anything that doesn't involve politics." Good point. Plus, it was nearly too late for Perry. To start merely considering a run now is odd.

129 We've had some RINO dipsticks here whining they didn't think Ryan was electable because his Medicare reform was soooo extreeeeeme.

130

#119 - best fake spam evah

First, it's almost a lock that any eventual GOP nominee will run to Rubio and wisely so.

Why?  I'm not disputing this, but I'm curious as to your reasoning (which is probably set forth at length above but like I read the comments before commenting).

131 Posted by: Empire of Jeff at August 16, 2011 11:15 AM (lbo6/)

Why do you even come here? To show off your pure conservatism?

132 I don't know. Can't the new Pres (assuming it's not T-Paw) appoint him as a 'Czar'? Goose. Gander. Something like, 'HMFIC of Getting Our Money Right'? Thoughts?

133

And I don't even like him as VP.  What is with this insistence that we take all the people we like (Rubio, Ryan, West, or whoever) and place them in the rather useless Vice President's chair?  Come on, folks, let's remember that we've got to work all the levers, and that means having our best and brightest everywhere, not just the Executive.

That's why I want McConnell as the VP pick.  Get that shithead out of the Senate!

134

...oh come on, we weren't THAT forgettable!

 

Damn.  I was making breakfast and went with my bad memory...

135 Posted by: alexthechick at August 16, 2011 11:19 AM (VtjlW)

That seemed to have emerged out of whole cloth.

Rubio will pull some Hispanic votes, and probably guarantee Florida, but to what end?

136 Coulter sucks.

Watch it there... bagger.

137 "That's why I want McConnell as the VP pick.  Get that shithead out of the Senate!" But he will wreak havoc at the Naval Observatory!

138 That's why I want McConnell as the VP pick.  Get that shithead out of the Senate!

Zing!

But, really, this is what I'm thinking (though, with someone reasonably more conservative than Mitch McConnell).  I like the idea of Mitch Daniels as VP.  Or maybe Hermann Cain (maybe 8 years as vp would be enough for him to learn some of the artistry necessary for politics).  Even Michelle Bachman (who, despite her enthusiasm, doesn't have a ton of actual accomplishments in the House, and therefore is not as huge a loss as Ryan would be) would make a good VP.

139 But, I know, it could not be that the voters selected McCain. It has to be some other, sinister force. Once we find the right strawman, we shall be freeÂ…Â…Â…Â…Â….

The most liberal candidate in each primary, the one endorsed by the media, won their primary. Then the most liberal candidate won the general. When I tell you it was because of the media influence, it doesn't indicate I believe it was a general sinister force, but rather media influence. You have failed to convince me otherwise.

140 He needs to be Director of OMB or Sec. Treasury. Not having executive experience is a deal killer for me.

141

WP guy says he is not running

Also, it seems this story originated with the Weekly Neocon

142 OT...sorta

New ad for 'The One' (no, not that 'One'...the batshit crazy One.  You know who will wet her prettypolishgirl panties over this)...

http://tinyurl.com/3oucp4b

143 First, it's almost a lock that any eventual GOP nominee will run to Rubio and wisely so.

Drew, count me in the group that says, "Ummm... why?"

144

Even Michelle Bachman (who, despite her enthusiasm...

 

Enough with the corndog, already.

145 Guaranteed she is very liberal when it comes to the social stuff

I read some pretty good snark from Coulter the other day.  She was on a rant about how civilization is going to hell in a hand basket because the liberals are opposed to anything vaguely resembling traditional values. They're against monogamy, they're against parenthood, they're against abstinence.  They only thing that they are for is sodomy although they would be for Gomorrahmy too if anyone knew what they did there.

146 I voted against the Ryan Budget Plan, you warmongering Neocons!

How do you like me now?

147 Screw them all. The MSM has made their choice.

148

I do think Ryan has a very big role in the campaign though, since he has the only plan on the table that does anything remotely like what is needed to get the country's finances off of the deathbed.

 

149 Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at August 16, 2011 11:24 AM (8y9MW)

You cannot question the pronouncements from on high. To do so would require that DrewM use actual logic and argument, rather than make up this shit as he goes along.

I do like the way he phrased it; as if it is a fait accompli already.

150 124 Primarily, that he has had politics as his singular focus throughout his entire life. Went to school for it, interned for it, did nothing but run for it. No executive experience. No experience in anything that doesn't involve politics.

His degree is in economics, but the rest is true about his internships and running for office.

151
 127 What is with this insistence that we take all the people we like (Rubio, Ryan, West, or whoever) and place them in the rather useless Vice President's chair?


I thought the government was like a bank.  Half of the people working there are called "Vice President"

152 Posted by: Lord Humungus Wasteland Teahadi at August 16, 2011 11:18 AM (Yv6gq)

Ann Coulter is a RINO now? Really...? That's all fine and good except that she has the most articulate, convincing arguments against liberalism of perhaps anyone in her generation. She's certainly in the Top 5.

153 I read some pretty good snark from Coulter the other day.  She was on a rant about how civilization is going to hell in a hand basket because the liberals are opposed to anything vaguely resembling traditional values. They're against monogamy, they're against parenthood, they're against abstinence.  They only thing that they are for is sodomy although they would be for Gomorrahmy too if anyone knew what they did there.

Posted by: WalrusRex at August 16, 2011 11:24 AM (Hx5uv)

Proves my point. She puts that out there, and then sits on the board of GOProud. Please try and square that circle for me.

154 On balance, those advocating for Ryan staying in the House are probably right.  I don't think it would be an objectively bad thing for him to be VP, but he is more valuable where he is right now.  In fact, he is more valuable serving on the Budget Committee than he would be as Speaker--I'm sure we could find a dozen more ideologically sound and stronger-willed members of Congress to take over for Boehner (Cantor, anyone?) who can deal with the administrative b.s. while letting Ryan focus on the budget.

155 Tami at August 16, 2011 10:46 AM

That 3-legged goat named Cletus looks better every day, doesn't it.

156 Eh - no Ryan right now.  I agree with Chi-Town - he will bore people to tears with facts and figures.  We NEED the facts and figures, sure, but we don't need a sermon on it.

157 What is it with all this shit about Ann Coulter? She is a great conservative writer and I like her books and columns.

But her picks for President have always been really shitty. Some day she will have to edumacate us on how she chooses her candidates.

158 162 Tami at August 16, 2011 10:46 AM

That 3-legged goat named Cletus looks better every day, doesn't it.

Posted by: franksalterego at August 16, 2011 11:29 AM (7/sDI)

Sounds good to me!

159 So, what's the chances that we can have a three way fight between Ryan, Perry, and Romney, where all three focus on why they're the best, and why Obama sucks, rather than beating up on each other?  A "this is what I believe in, this is what I'll do, this is why you should vote for me, and here is why I'm better than Obama" campaign.

Stupid fantasy?  Great idea that won't happen?  Great idea with could happen?

160 Ann Coulter is a RINO now? Really...? That's all fine and good except that she has the most articulate, convincing arguments against liberalism of perhaps anyone in her generation. She's certainly in the Top 5.

Posted by: The Mega Independent at August 16, 2011 11:28 AM (VM1tJ)

In my book, yes. Chris Christie is her dream candidate. Have you examined his stance on key conservative issues? My word, do some digging. She speaks in a condescending manner and relies on ad hominem attacks and not facts. She actually does more harm than good to our side because she is not particularly likeable.

Remember when she was making those comments about crusading through the Middle East and converting them? Yeah, all the while she had a muslim boyfriend, who it seems she was just fine with his faith.

Actions>words.

161 I know it's a different Ryan, but this seems like a good time to mention that Jack Ryan's ex-wife Jeri is really smoking hot, and I have spent a lot of time over the years thinking about how I would like to have sexual intercourse with her. 

And the whole sex-club thing?  Blown wayyyyy out of proportion. And also very hot. 

That's really all I have to add on this subject.

162

What is it with the Rubio VP fantasies? He hasn't even served a full term yet. And if he's so great, why would we not be better off with him in the senate than in a rather unimportant (unless POTUS dies) VP slot compared to Ryan?

You know, most VP's do not go on to become President, especially if you don't count the ones who's President died (Johnson, Ford.. that leaves Bush the elder in the last 60 years or so).

I am not sure whether I approve of it, but I think the frontrunner for Perry's VP slot is Guiliani.

163 So we are going to commit hari kari as soon as we win?

Some of us believe its either that or reality gives us the sword of debt destiny up the backside.

164 Guaranteed [Coulters] is very liberal when it comes to the social stuff, and she rarely makes a convincing argument for conservatism at large. She is a tool, and doesn't really like conservatives all that much

Have you really ever listened to her or read her stuff. What social issues is she liberal on?

165 Posted by: Slap fight winner at August 16, 2011 11:19 AM (LH6ir) What's the difference between you and a mallard with a cold? One's a sick duck... I can't remember how it ends, but your mother's a whore, Trebek.

166 Coulter is on the Crank's approved reading list--if you just toss out her obligatory ad hominem attack (minimum one per column, minimum 3 if Olbermann is involved), the rest of her stuff is generally sound.  Still can't quite agree with her that women are such idiots that they don't deserve the vote--sure, the majority may vote liberal, but voting against rational self-interest is not a reason to deprive someone of the vote.  I elect for fast food several times a week, doesn't mean that someone else should plan my menu.

167 chemjeff makes the point about Ryan's tendency to wander a bit in the policy weeds, like a freshly minted nerd. (Yeah, that's a poor paraphrase, but go with it.)

So I wonder, why don't we make up, like, the Official Moron Toastmasters Course In Public Speakin' for all the folks who want to be republican President?

I mean, all we need is all of Thatcher, Reagan, Churchill, and Will Rogers' speeches.  Back-to-back.  For like three hours a day, for three weeks.

Drinking optional.

Just listen, and then mimic those folks.

How hard could it be?

168 Proves my point. She puts that out there, and then sits on the board of GOProud. Please try and square that circle for me.

Maybe she likes that these people are smart enough to know that the libs are selling them out, just like all the other victim groups they've coopted through the years. I don't see the conflict, sorry.

169

The whole GOProud thing reminds me of the episode of American Dad with the Log Cabin Republicans.  Stan says something along the lines of, "We shouldn't be hating gays.  That's wasting precious hate that we could be using against the Democrats!"

170 I think the conservative pundits who constantly tell Ryan he has an obligation to run are well-meaning but overlook the various other ways in which he could present/continue to present his ideas.

171 "Drinking optional." Heretic.

172 One thing about Ryan -- you see a very serious, sober (and I don't mean in regards to alcohol), and dedicated guy.  He's not threatening (except to the welfare state).  There's just an appeal to him that after 4 years of Obama, and before that, 8 years of a President who could barely utter a coherent sentence, I think John and Jane Public are going to like.  No bombast, no BIG PLANS without details, just an American who understands.

173 His degree is in economics, but the rest is true about his internships and running for office. Incorrect. According to his bio, his degree is in economics and political science. Which explains why his wonderful budget still means year-over-year spending increases.

174

Proves my point. She puts that out there, and then sits on the board of GOProud. Please try and square that circle for me.

Posted by: Lord Humungus Wasteland Teahadi at August 16, 2011 11:28 AM (Yv6gq)

Watch it there....bagger

175 Posted by: Lord Humungus Wasteland Teahadi at August 16, 2011 11:34 AM (Yv6gq)

Christie would at least try to put us on the road to solvency, and unfortunately the libs have made sure that's our most pressing issue. That said, he's not my candidate for the same reasons he's not your candidate. I kinda understand where you're coming from on Coulter (sort of), but her opinions, to me, do not reflect someone that must not associate with gays or muslims ever, lest they become an automatic hypocrite or a RINO or whatever.

176

Teddy Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, George H.W. Bush and Harry Truman. Since 1889.

Plus Johnson when Kennedy died, Ford when Nixon resigned, and Nixon himself but not until 8 years after he left office and two democrats later.

Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barrack Obama were never VP's. 

177 I still have concerns about yanking the good guys out of Congress (Rubio, Ryan, hell, even Bachmann). We need leadership there, too.

178

I sat next to Paul Ryan coming back on the plane from Washington about 4-5 years ago.   We talked for a little while about the difficulty of being away from young kids for work.   Good guy; dare I say, a regular guy.    Incidentally, he was reading America Alone at the time on the plane.   So, although he's best known as a budget guru, that's not the only area where he'd be a strong conservative.  

I don't think he can win if he gets in, but I hope he does anyway, because I think it would set the stage for him to run again, either in 2016 (God forbid that Obama gets re-elected!) or in 2020. 

I'm not sure I quite agree with Ace on the VP dynamic.   I like Rubio, but he's pretty light on experience.   Ryan has been in Washington for a lot longer than Obama was when he ran, so they couldn't pull the experience angle on him.   Also, I think Rubio's Hispanic background would help Republicans in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California.   Notice anything about those states?   Three of them (FL, TX, and AZ) are locks for Republicans this time around, and one of them (CA) is going to go Democratic no matter what.   So what good does Rubio really do you?   Ryan would make the budget the main issue, which it ought to be, and he'd win you a toss-up state (WI).  

But, holy mackerel, what a deep bench going forward if someone like Perry is choosing among Rubio, Ryan, Christie and Jindal for VP!

 

179 182 Incorrect.

According to his bio, his degree is in economics and political science.

Which explains why his wonderful budget still means year-over-year spending increases.


You're right, double major. But my understanding is that he wanted to become an economist before he worked for Bob Kasten.

That could be fixed if he fast-tracked his entitlement reforms and made deeper cuts to mandatory.

180

But tell me, who, would have won had it not been for the media?

 

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at August 16, 2011 11:34 AM (OWjjx)

Your points are fair, but I don't have a crystal ball. I can't tell you what would have happened "if". I'm just going by what I observed.

As far as Giuliani (more liberal than Captain Spit in Our Face and Cross the Aisle? That's debatable), it's pretty obvious why he didn't win. He flopped in a huge way. The media's influence grows as the election gets closer (and then tails off toward the end). For example, 95% of people are barely paying attention right now. The media therefore can't push a Huntsman on everyone, despite wanting to. 

They had a huge part in 2008, on both sides, to the point where Hillary became the de facto conservative in her own race. I know what I saw.

181 59: Actually, Charlie Crist gave us McCain, by pushing him over the top in the Florida primary.  It's one of the big reasons why I initially supported Rubio.

McCain won v/ Huck and Romney because he was everyone's second choice.  There was no reason for either Huck or Romney to pull out, and to the extent that people dropped one of them to go to their second choice, it was McCain (already the front-runner) who got those people.

Whether you favor Ryan, Perry, or Bachmann, my guess is that Romney is #4 for you.  Assuming we have all four in, I expect Bachmann to fall by the wayside, since Perry and Ryan have most of her pluses, and few of her minuses.  Then we'll see.  But if Romney's sitting there at 40%, and Perry and Ryan are splitting most of the rest, I expect that we'll see one drop out, or at least lose most of his supporters, and the other beat Romney pretty quickly.  It's the Fieler Faster Thesis in action! :-)

182 But, holy mackerel, what a deep bench going forward if someone like Perry is choosing among Rubio, Ryan, Christie and Jindal for VP! Posted by: The Regular Guy at August 16, 2011 11:48 AM (qHCyt) What happened to Bobby Jindal, anyway? For a while there he was the future of the party and then his stock fell.

183 Here we go again with your hard on for Perry. You people call yourselves conservatives and Tea Party supporters, yet you support a guy who would have our freedoms stripped from us - how could you support a man who would require mandatory vaccinations for teenage girls? Just because someone appears to have a large sack, supports gun rights and America's big dick, doesn't mean he's going to make a good leader. Quit ignoring Ron Paul. Every single person on here knows he's the most consistent politician running right now. He has a plan for our future, and actually understand what liberty and freedom stand for in this country.

184 Conservative Camelot, that'll work as a Grand Bargain.

185 191 What happened to Bobby Jindal, anyway? For a while there he was the future of the party and then his stock fell.

Primarily, it was his SOTU response, particularly the delivery.

186 Primarily, it was his SOTU response, particularly the delivery.

A guy that's great off the cuff and sucks on a Prompter, and his aspirations are all but crushed. Irony.....

187 Quit ignoring Ron Paul.

We're not ignoring him.  I, for one, try to point out that he's a pork-happy lunatic who has been sucking off the government teat for two decades at least once a day. 

It will be sad when he is FORMER CONGRESSMAN Ron Paul and all you cultists will have to find someone new to worship. 

188 I honestly don't get where the "no charisma / no gravitas" comments are coming from.  Did you not see him at the farcical "health care summit"?  He gravitased all over Preznit Obama's face.

189

Quit ignoring Ron Paul. Every single person on here knows he's the most consistent politician running right now. He has a plan for our future, and actually understand what liberty and freedom stand for in this country.

Posted by: Johnny Cakes at August 16, 2011 11:55 AM (SbbtQ)

Allowing Iran the ability to nuke us. What an awesome plan!

190 Primarily, it was his SOTU response, particularly the delivery.

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at August 16, 2011 11:58 AM (o2lIv)

Put a goofy white hat on him and he would have looked like Gilligan standing on the beach.

191 Cultist? Ok, sorry that I gravitate someone who actually makes sense in politics and comes off as making sense. Go ahead and vote for status quo. Let's vote for another NWO shill, or let's just keep Obama, because it really just amounts to the same thing. If you don't see that, we're in such sad shape.

192 Quit ignoring Ron Paul.

No can do.  He's an attention-seeking crank, so I figure if I ignore him, maybe he'll go away.

193 Why doesn't Ryan replace the  Weeping Boehner in the Speaker's Chair?  There is where is budget expertise would be most valuable. He is one of few in the House respected by GOP and Tea Party alike.  If he can't or won't take on Boehner, why would he be great in the WH?

194 I'm also strangely unenthusiastic about Paul Ryan running for president.  Maybe it's because I prefer him right where he is.  Maybe I don't think he can win.  I don't know.

I would expect to be loving this, since Paul Ryan is one of the few politicians I actually respect, but somehow I'm not.

195 Does this and Perry's announcement finally put to bed the idea that you have to declare your candidacy by June of the year before the election?

Maybe waiting for the field to shake out makes perfect sense.

196 I'm also not very enthusiastic about Marco Rubio as VP.  He's still too young and inexperienced.

Rubio has "presidential" written all over him.  But, not just yet.

197

"NWO"

Wait, you mean Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Hollywood Hulk Hogan put the band back together?

198 Of course he's attention seeking - he's running for President. That's what you do, you get your ideas out by drawing attention to yourself. I believe all candidates running do it. The difference is that he stands behind his rhetoric. Doesn't pander to different audiences and has the most consistent record of anyone. You support the Tea Party, we wouldn't have the Tea Party if it weren't for Paul's ideas.

199 Primarily, it was his SOTU response, particularly the delivery.

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at August 16, 2011 11:58 AM (o2lIv)

Yeah, but that just took him off the Shiny New Thing list, which was probably good for Jindal. He'll make a run at national office when he's ready. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get a cabinet job.

200 204 Does this and Perry's announcement finally put to bed the idea that you have to declare your candidacy by June of the year before the election?

Maybe waiting for the field to shake out makes perfect sense.

Posted by: stuiec at August 16, 2011 12:17 PM (ZyH51)

No.  You have to raise money.  In particular, you have to raise money first, so that it isn't going to somebody else. It's really too late for Paul Ryan. Perry's already done the late announcement thing, there's no room for Paul Ryan.  All he could do at this stage is elect Romney.

But, hey, if this is his way of reminding the frontrunners that he'd be up for a VP pick, nobody can explain the Ryan plan better than Ryan.

201 Ok, that was fun while it lasted....

From The Hill: 

Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) personal spokesman denied a report Tuesday that the House Budget Committee chairman was "seriously considering" a run for the Republican presidential nomination.

"While grateful for the continued support and encouragement, Congressman Ryan has not changed his mind," spokesman Kevin Seifert said.

http://tinyurl.com/3o6ad3z

202 208 Yeah, but that just took him off the Shiny New Thing list, which was probably good for Jindal. He'll make a run at national office when he's ready. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get a cabinet job.

He should be head of HHS this time.

203 The difference is that he stands behind his rhetoric.

Like on earmarks, right?

204 An earmark is a congressional provision that directs federal agencies to spend funds already authorized on specific projects. If the funds arenÂ’t earmarked, the agencies can spend the money any way they see fit. That is, the executive branch, rather than Congress, will determine how the taxpayerÂ’s money is spent.

205 "While grateful for the continued support and encouragement, Congressman Ryan has not changed his mind," spokesman Kevin Seifert said.

Sounds like somebody in his office needs a good talking to.

206

The difference is that he stands behind his rhetoric. Doesn't pander to different audiences and has the most consistent record of anyone. You support the Tea Party, we wouldn't have the Tea Party if it weren't for Paul's ideas.

Posted by: Johnny Cakes at August 16, 2011 12:18 PM (SbbtQ)

Yep he's very consistent.  Vote no for everything, but make damn sure he's got his pork for his district in the budget.  What a stand up guy, and so concerned about wasting our money.

207 210 Hayes quoted another spokesman at the end of his column who said the same, which is one reason I'm skeptical-- unless it's one of those "my answer has not changed at this time". But I see few reasons as to why his answer would change, especially considering he wants to overhaul the budget process some time after the recess.

208 Ryan v. Perry would be a tough choice but for once we'd have a tough primary choice. I'd love that.

Point's probably already been made - I haven't read all the comments - but this "tough choice" enhances Romney's chances - just as McCain became the 2008 nominee.  Bad result.

209 Romney/Ryan sounds very good, but, lets be serious:  (1) he isn't going to get the nomination because he isn't going to be able to raise enough money; (2) I think he's too mild mannered to become President.  VP, yes, OMB, even better.

Ryan is great, but President ain't happening.

210 So, you'll use earmarks against him, and instead support a guy (Perry) who wants to build an Army of God. Yea, because we need a far right religious fundamentalist sect in this country...

211   @ 219----Don't forget to check back in with Axe at shift end.

212 Well he better get to it pretty damn fast if he's going to run.

213 Ryan is just a TEASE! He's just flirting with his fan base to make money and sell books. Why everyone knows that it is too late for a serious candidate to enter the race...

214

I think you're wrong on a couple of points Drew. 

First, Ryan's Leadership PAC is especially active and large- he has a national fundraising presence already, through it, and also lets not forget that the same group of fundraisers (Ken Langone et al) that are after Christie to run will happily raise money for Ryan if he chooses to take a shot instead of Christie.  The whole world of productive people will want to donate to anyone who has a legit shot at dethroing King-for-a-day Obamabamba. So, that's the money side. 

Next, he won't "run to Rubio" necessarily when the time comes to choose a Veep candidate (though Rubio would obviously be a good guy to see on the ticket).  If Ryan goes, I think he'll need a governor to run alongside him to fill in the missing executive experience side of things, so you could easily see McDonnell (for example). 

Lastly, no one is "tied to Ryan's plan".  You know why?   Because he isn't tied to it.  All along Ryan has emphasized that he wants to get the issue into the public discussion and, to end run the Democrats demogoguery he could see coming from five hundred miles off, he deliberately chose to push a Brookings/Alice Rivlin proposal as the "plan".  But he's always emphasized that he can accept lots of other approaches to reforming entitlements, so no one is "tied to Ryan's plan".

Other than those points I completely agree with everything you said.  Pretty much.  One thing is true- the President is tongue-tied in debate with Ryan in a way he is not with any other challenger.  Ryan singularly seems to push the President's buttons and expose his ridiculous ineptitude with ease.

215 Paul Ryan would get me to budge from Romney and become my number #1 choice.

Rick Perry is a pandering dolt and  tough guy wannabe.

216

Johnny Cakes, I'm not 100% sold that Perry is for real (he did write a book about the 10th ammendment - nothing a libertarian should be remotely interested in) and not just blowing smoke up our asses.

But your arguments are pretty damn lame.

Do you think maybe you could try to stick to repeating talking-points attacks identical to the ones being repeated everywhere? I think all your original thinking is confusing people.

Rick Perry apparently wants the Army of God on mandatory Gardisil so they don't get STD cancer when they have premarital sex.

Either of those two attacks might work (and might even be well merrited!) by itself. But combining the two makes you look like a bad hack.

Which is it?

Can we get a non-contradictory narrative on Perry please? Or is it going to be more Retard-Genius conspiracies?

217 Garfield said: "the chief duty of the government is to keep the peace and stand out of the sunshine of the people" So, yeah, I'd vote for a guy like that.

218   47 Ryan/Rubio would be the most kick ass thing in the history of earth.

Posted by: Lemon Kitten at August 16, 2011 10:57 AM (0fzsA)

I am loving the scope of Republican strength right now. I would vote for Ryan, and if Rubio was attached to the ticket I'd be grinning and bouncing in my shoes while I voted. Ryan is simply brilliant and both would wipe up Obummer and Bidet at any debate.

That said, I am liking Perry's swagger, as I am a redneck. I see nothing wrong with his statement on Bernake. I also feel Biden committed treason in identifying the Navy SEALS who shot Bin Laden.

Perry/Rubio is now my dream ticket and who I'd walk through fire for. It is early, so I could change. If they are successful, a repeat of this ticket in 2016. Then, then my man Marco could run either in 2016 if he were bored as VP,or 2020. Perry/Rubio's Secretary of State? Bolton. Treasury Secretary? Paul Ryan. Secretary of Energy: Palin. Commerce Secretary: maybe Romney. Secretary of Defense: General Petraeus or Rep. Alan West (who could also be the UN Ambassador and yell "NUTS" at every meeting involving radical Islam). Thus concludes my dream.

http://tinyurl.com/3dye3ml

219 Good job (as usual), Drew.

220 this is good news, eh? Let's get the intellectual guns in the race.

221 More from political operative who "spilled"

“Despite a new round of urging and conversations, nothing has changed,” the Wisconsin operative told Roll Call. “People continue to urge Paul Ryan to run — that group is growing, not shrinking. But I am unaware of anything changing his calculus or plan to do that.”

222 I read this news as a sly announcement that Ryan would consider being tabbed as a running mate by the eventual nominee. I think it's a indication of his willingness to leave his congressional post. It's awfully late to get into an already-crowded field, but if Ryan is still weighing a run for the top office, he'd surely accept the second billing on a strong ticket.

223 We don't need a nominee who is a great speaker.  Have we learned NOTHING from the last three years?

We need a President who knows what the heck they are doing, who has successfully executive/management experience.  Ryan does not.

There is a good reason we so often elect Governors and Generals, but only rarely Senators or Representatives.  It is because one set of jobs prepares a man for the Presidency and the others do not.

Incidentally, we have elected exactly four sitting members of Congress to the White House.  If Obama manages to complete a full term in office, he will be the first of them to do so.

224 Rubio is a much better speaker than Ryan. <<<Chi-town Jerry

Is...is this sarcasm?  You saw that rebuttal, right?

225 "It will be sad when he is FORMER CONGRESSMAN Ron Paul and all you cultists will have to find someone new to worship." If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine!

226 Entropy, what do you mean, "non contradictory?" Perry seems to be the contradiction, rather then my points. Does he support mandatory vaccination? Yes. Does Perry appear to be aligning himself with a Christian fundamentalist sect? Yes. I repeat the talking points because a lot of people seem to be too stupid to grasp it. It seems a lot of people on here would prefer some kind of status quo - Rick Perry - as opposed to someone who is outside the establishment. Sorry, I know Paul and many others have said that before - I'm not here to blow your mind unfortunately.

227

Remember the guy who asked Pelosi if the Healthcare law was unconstitutional and the response he got?

In that light, is Rubio a natural born citizen of the USA as the Constitution requires? Is there any concern for equal treatment under the law at good 'ol Ace of Spades?

228

Does he support mandatory vaccination? Yes.

Johnny Cakes, are you misinformed, or are you intentionally playing fast and loose with your temporal tenses?

DID he support the vaccine? Yes. Has he recanted, called it a mistake and supported it's repeal? Yes.

Does Perry appear to be aligning himself with a Christian fundamentalist sect? Yes.

Does the Christian fundementalist sect play a crucial role in getting anyone elected in a GOP primary? Yes.

One reason why Paul will never win. Never.

Has Perry EVER supported using government force to impose christian fundementalism?

Has he? He never has that I know of. The ONLY example of authoritarian impulse you seem to be able to point to after a DECADE of governing is when he tried to impose secular mores (STD immunization) upon the aforementioned abstinent fundies.

So what's the deal?

I repeat the talking points because a lot of people seem to be too stupid to grasp it. It seems a lot of people on here would prefer some kind of status quo - Rick Perry - as opposed to someone who is outside the establishment.

Is Bachmann also "establishment"? Is Ron Paul the ONLY man who can save America?

229 Perry could be an unintentional stalking horse for Ryan.  If Romney is already weakened and looks like he can't beat Perry, his support could easily jump to Ryan as an alternative to Perry.

Ryan's path is taking a bunch of Romney and Bachman support, and a little from Perry.

He also wins with a Palin endorsement.  She's already endorsed his plan once.

230 You can just totally cross off the list any venal, self-seeking motivations for Paul Ryan to be considering the Presidency. That is not who he is. He is 100 percent about saving the country for his children, and ours. He knew all that stuff that's in After America before Steyn even finished his first rough draft of it. He knows what the future holds if we don't change course. As closely involved in all the number-crunching as he is, he is face to face with the horror all day, every day. I can only marvel that the poor man manages to get to sleep at night. Thank God he's blessed with a sunny disposition and an incredibly touching faith/hope in the American people's ability to face reality and do what needs to be done. All I can say is I sure hope his faith/hope is justified.

People such as I have been writing and calling this wonderful man telling him that he is the only one who can really explain this complicated stuff in ways that people understand, and that his leadership in this area is nothing short of heroic. He's a phenomenal talent -- brilliant mind, wonderful ability to communicate; a super personality -- terrific sense of humor even in the face of the most depressing stuff in the world, and a kind, sunny disposition; and he is a person who, far from the stereotype of "dry" accountants, has a truly caring, compassionate heart. The key to Paul Ryan is that he does what he does because he is genuinely worried about the probable future agony of millions of human beings.

Some have criticized him for requiring (or at least, so goes the rumor) his staffers to read Atlas Shrugged. After all, Ayn Rand was a nasty-spirited, spiteful atheist. But I think what Paul Ryan sees in that book -- and wants everyone else to see -- is how the ultimate, real-world result of the phony "caring" and "compassion" of socialism is actually -- in every single case -- incredible suffering for everyone.

Paul Ryan has flaws just like every other human being. But he is a prince of a man, and may just be the right person for this incredible crisis point in American history.

231 I like Ryan right where he is. I want an executive as our candidate, and right now, Perry is that guy.

232 I am definitely bookmarking this page and sharing it with my friends.