Newly announced Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan speaks during a campaign rally in Norfolk, Va., on Saturday.
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's choice of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate seems to be uniting both Republicans and Democrats. The GOP is embracing the young, wonky addition to the ticket, while the left seems happy to be taking him on.
Here's a quick look at the pluses and minuses of the decision, from the point of view of the man at the top of the ticket.
PROS:
The Right Is Thrilled: Romney's decision follows open campaigning for Ryan from conservative institutions like The Wall Street Journal's editorial page.
The conservative National Review editors reacted Saturday: "Governor Romney has made an inspired choice. Paul Ryan will make an excellent running mate and, if elected, vice president."
Romney Gets A Chance To Rise Above Small-Ball: As The Wall Street Journal put it in its editorial: "Mr. Obama and the Democrats want to make this a small election over small things — Mitt's taxes, his wealth, Bain Capital. As the last two months have shown, Mr. Romney will lose that kind of election."
By picking Ryan, who is known for his fiscal conservatism and his commitment to overhauling big federal programs like Medicare and Social Security, "Romney will move more boldly than most observers expected to try to shift the debate off his personal financial past and on to America's economic future," writes James Rainey in the Los Angeles Times.
Romney May Score Points In Wisconsin: The swing state went solidly for President Obama four years ago and hasn't voted for a Republican presidential contender since the 1980s. But "Ryan's blue-collar Wisconsin background and personal popularity — he's won his last six races with no less than 63% of the vote — could give Romney a boost there," says USA Today's David Colton.
CONS:
It's Red Meat For Democrats: The left is going to sink its teeth into Ryan's budget plan and never let go. Obama and other Democrats have already been campaigning against it. In April,Obama said it was "so far to the right that it makes the Contract With America look like the New Deal."
"There was no one on Romney's short list of contenders [Democrats] wanted to run against more than the chairman of the House Budget Committee," Dan Balzwrites in The Washington Post. "Romney has now assumed ownership of Ryan's budgetary plan and its provisions for reining in the cost of entitlement programs. Democrats will attack it and its author as vigorously as they have tried to savage Romney's business background and personal finances."
And the attacks on Ryan's plan — which, since it would eventually involve changes to Medicare, will be particularly targeted toward seniors — could breathe new life into Obama's campaign in the key swing state of Florida.
Experience Gap: Like Romney, Ryan lacks much foreign policy experience. And unlike Romney, he doesn't have a business or executive background.
"Besides summer jobs working at McDonald's or at his family's construction company, or waiting tables as a young Washington staffer, Ryan has none of the business-world experience Romney frequently touts as essential for governing," Ryan Lizza writes inThe New Yorker.
PRO Or CON?
It Could Take The Focus Off President Obama's Record:In many quarters, Romney's bold pick is being viewed as an acknowledgement that trying to keep the campaign solely focused on President Obama's handling of the economy wasn't working out.
But, as John Harris and Mike Allen write in Politico, "It is hard to overstate the risks Romney is taking in making a choice that virtually guarantees a far-reaching debate about the broader role of government and the entitlement state. Simply put, it is a debate Republicans have almost never won when they've put it directly before voters in the past."
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Read the article above and leave a comment on my blog based on our class discussions and your view of politics. Use the prompt below to guide your response and always be respectful of other people's political views. This counts as your first homework assignment.
Selecting the Vice President is the first decision that the public gets to analyze as to the types of decisions a potential president would make. How has Congressman Ryan's selection as a Vice Presidential Candidate affected the election of 2012? Do you believe he is a good choice? Why or Why not.
Ideology aside, Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as a running mate is a respectable decision. Of course, Ryan lacks some foreign policy experience; he is also a white male, which means Romney will not gain quick votes among minorities or women. However, this is a good choice because—as author Erica Ryan states—it is a choice that will make this election about the big issues. We would all welcome an election devoid of fallacious personal attacks on either man’s character. After all, as Senator Marco Rubio said Thursday, “[the Republicans’] problem with Barack Obama is not that he’s a bad person. It’s that he’s a bad president.” Whether you agree with him or not, Paul Ryan has a substantial record. He has valuable experience as the head of the House Budget Committee, and his plan to reform Medicare has already stirred up debate. I think the majority of Americans will respect Romney’s decision to pick a candidate with valuable experience that could behoove his administration instead of a candidate clearly chosen to grab the votes of a key demographic (i.e. Sarah Palin). Ultimately, though, the success of this choice will depend on the success of the Obama Campaign in convincing voters that a Romney-Ryan administration would strip them of government benefits they depend on.
ReplyDelete--Joe Zappa
I agree with Joe that picking another White Male will potentially cost him votes, despite the face the article says it might help in one of the swing states. Maybe picking someone who has just as little experience in foreign policy is a poor decision, but there are other people, such as his cabinet, whom would hopefully be very experienced and not just "reward jobs" for his friends and supporters. I see a positive in his choice of a white male in the sense that they will probably work well together. Picking a vice president for the ability to have good politics, will make for a good government. I couldn't see a vice president picked just to get elected as successful as one picked for success as president.
ReplyDeleteRomney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate is a well thought out decision, as it will, like Joe said shift focus from "fallacious personal attacks" to more pressing issues, such as the future of the economy. Although not a candidate chosen for the obvious intention of gaining the support of a key group of voters- as McCain had unsuccessfully attempted to do in 2008- Ryan at only 42, may attract younger voters who were initially distrustful of Romney, substantially older at 65. This said, Ryan may deter the elderly from supporting the Republicans because of Ryan's prospective alterations to Medicare. Ryan brings valuable experience on economic outlook, serving as the incumbent Chairman of the House Budget Committee; however Romney and Ryan both lack experience in foreign policy- an indispensable attribute for success in modern global economy and government affairs. All in all, I think that Romney and Ryan will prove to be formidable opponents to the Obama administration.
ReplyDeleteAdding Ryan to his campaign seems to be a good idea in Romney's case, despite Ryan's lack of foreign policy experience. Ryan, as stated in the article, has a strong enough presence to possibly sway the votes, even in the swing-states. As Americans should know, these states are the most important to grab first and foremost; the fact that Romney can potentially win over Wisconsin is a huge feat in the political world. While it appears as though the Obama administration and the Democrats wish to focus on the smaller issues, Romney would much rather tackle the larger issues at hand. The Romney-Ryan campaign is willing to take this significant chance in order to potentially benefit the country as a whole. John Harris' final quote suggests that America has changed in that it is giving a fair chance to the ideas that normally would have been put down by the government in the past.
ReplyDeleteRomney’s choosing of Paul Ryan as his running mate for the 2012 election is a decision that will certainly draw attention away from “small,” but detrimental, “things,” and concentrate all political debate on the United States economy and new budgeting plans; a change of topic that many right-wing and left-wing Americans will appreciate and that Romney absolutely needs in order to have a chance at gaining the support of voters. Paul Ryan has a notable background in budgeting as the chairman of the United States House Budget Committee; despite being unquestionably conservative, he is and will be pushing for a change in an economy that desperately needs it. With the choice of Ryan as the potential Republican Vice President, the 2012 election will overwhelmingly focus in on the economy, and even more specifically on Ryan’s controversial budgeting plans in comparison to Obama’s; the election will greatly depend on whether America, or at very least the swing states, views Paul Ryan’s plan for economic change as a step in the right direction, or, according to Al Gore, as a plan that “takes money from the poor and gives it to the rich while increasing the budget deficit.” While choosing Ryan may clinch the consistently Democratic state of Wisconsin for Romney and may appeal to a younger generation of conservatives or moderates, the campaign does not make a strong appeal toward women and minorities. This goes beyond the fact that the Romney-Ryan campaign is composed of two white men and delves deeper into their evident social conservatism that, for many Americans, cannot be written off as small. Because Paul Ryan has repeatedly voted against laws regarding women’s reproductive rights and equal pay acts, I personally cannot support the choice of him as Romney’s running mate. But for Mitt Romney and his campaign, Paul Ryan was the necessary choice to get the political talk back on track again and will force Obama’s campaign to drop everything "small" and concentrate on the economy--a topic that, considering his experience, Ryan should excel in.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's choosing of Paul Ryan as his 2012 running mate is overall a wise choice when further examined. Ryan comes from a modest background and can relate to the middle class, workers and the average voters. Being from Wisconsin, he is expected to gain its support in the campaign. While Ryan has experience is politics and government serving as a US Representative, he lacks business and financial experience which may create an unwanted target on his back and some negative attention. He does have minor experience working in small business but it may not be enough for Romney's campaign. However, I feel the pros outweigh the cons; Ryan makes for a bold yet beneficial choice as the vice presidential candidate and may draw campaign interest from conservative voters. Being young and intelligent, he will hopefully bring fresh ideas to Washington in the future.
ReplyDeleteAs both Republicans and Democrats choose to argue over everything and attack each other in the worst of ways, Romney's choice of Paul Ryan seemed to ease the pain for Democrats. In my opinion, this was a good choice for Romney. Although, in some ways it seems positive and others it does not. The article states that Ryan does not have much business and executive experience and also lack of work with foreign policy unlike Romney. Because the article kept pointing out that Romney has these benefits and Ryan does not leads me to believe that there is a balance there and those cons will not make too much of a difference because of Romney's experience. Ryan also seems to be a likable man who may not lose votes just because he is a white man, although that is a valid point. A con for me personally is that together, Romney's plans along with Ryan's seem to be very far to the right which does not suit my preference in politics. I think it will be very interesting to see how Romney and Ryan work together if they are elected.
ReplyDeleteRomney picked Paul Ryan because of his views, which represent almost everything that the Republican party stands for. This was a smart move, because a younger, fresher Ryan can now step up and become the face of the Republican party. This choice has the potential to swing the direction either way. Ryan's Wisconsin background is a major plus, since most people feel the need to vote for a presidential candidate that represents his or her state. However, Ryan's lack of experience and his plan to complete overhaul Medicare and Social Security, could upset senior citizens and persuade them to vote for Obama. Romney's pick is risky and unpredictable, but it will make for an interesting election that is now mostly about the issues that matter rather than mudslinging and attacking one's character.
ReplyDeleteEven though analyzing and reading about political decisions on the election is new to me, I would conclude that although Ryan may bring some positive things to the table, Romney's choice of Ryan as the VP is an overall failure. The only thing positive about bringing Ryan along as VP is "Ryan's blue-collar Wisconsin background and personal popularity” but other than that, Ryan only leaves room for political debate. The Obama administration has already started to attack Ryan’s budget plans and started to campaign against it. I 100% agree with Emily that Romney’s choice of Ryan as the Vice President “is risky and unpredictable, but it will make for an interesting election”. Furthermore, Ryan’s Medicare and Social Security plans with only take away the votes of the highly population senior citizens, leading to the major fallback of the Romney campaign.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's decision in choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate is definitely a controversial decision that will affect the outcome of the upcoming election. Ryan, although he brings a "lively" and "young" aspect to the election, lacks much experience in dealing with international affairs, as well as governing on such a large scale, such as the potential vice president. Due to this, Romney's decision is constantly being criticized and debated over, but many are forgetting, four years later, that Obama also had no experience in dealing with foreign affairs or even presidential affairs. Obama was in the same position as Ryan was, just four years ago, and was able to somewhat grab hold of the presidency. Nobody is to say that Ryan cannot do the same. Ryan does bring a new focus to the election, with emphasis on large scale issues, all of which contradict the Obama Administration's attempt to make the election a "small election over small things". Emphasis on these issues may be the push that Romney needs to win the election over Obama. With Ryan's nomination comes potential votes from Ryan's "blue-collar Wisconsin background", and swing states as well. Overall, Romney's choice of Ryan as the VP is a wise decision, due to Ryan's overwhelming popularity, and his experience, although lacking in foreign affairs. Together, Romney and Ryan work well and balance each other. Romney's decison may be "risky and unpredicable", but it is one that will help lead Romney to popularity and potentially, presidency. The Obama Administration wasted no time in criticizing Ryan's budget and medicare plans, which will strip Romney of senior citizen's votes, as Lauren said. This may cause Romney and Ryan to fall behind in the election, but will not cost them the election entirely. Romney's and Ryan's focus on "the bigger picture" will propell them closer to victory in the upcoming election, despite criticism over Ryan as a candidate, making Romney's decision one of intelligence and confidence.
ReplyDeleteRomney's choice of Ryan as his running mate was a good one. Ryan is basically the embodiment of the Republican party. He is fiscally conservative, pro-life, anti-gay marriage, anti gun control, etc. By choosing Ryan, Romney further solidified his stance on many of these issues. Also, as mentioned in the article, "By picking Ryan, who is known for his fiscal conservatism and his commitment to overhauling big federal programs like Medicare and Social Security, "Romney will move more boldly than most observers expected to try to shift the debate off his personal financial past and on to America's economic future"". Thus, due to Ryan's firm stance on economic issues, Romney can attempt to focus the election more on the future, and less on the past. This is good for the election as a whole, because the issues we are presently facing can be focused on, rather than trivial things like gaffs. Also, on a smaller level of importance, Ryan is from Wisconsin so he could help win Wisconson. Clearly Ryan also comes with negatives, like his lack of experience in foreign policy and business, but overall i believe the pros outweigh the cons.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential Candidate in the election seems to be a reasonable choice overall. The Republicans are supportive of Romney’s choice, and Ryan’s emphasis on the economy may be exactly what the country needs. The fact that Ryan and Romney lack foreign policy experience is not necessarily auspicious; however, it may not be as devastating as Democrats make it out to be. The election of Romney and Ryan would mean a fresh look at Middle Eastern affairs, which may bring new ideas regarding the mediation of foreign conflicts. Nevertheless, Ryan does bring a lot to Romney’s administration. While Democrats are attempting to make this a “small election over small things,” as stated in The Wall Street Journal, Ryan helps to focus the debate on the larger issues at hand. Ryan has concentrated his congressional career on fiscal policy as the chairman of the House Budget Committee, and he is committed to balancing our budget. Ryan’s budget plan is criticized among Democrats for its changes to Medicare; however, these changes would not take effect immediately if Romney and Ryan were elected. The Medicare portion of the budget plan would not affect seniors currently receiving Medicare benefits, so they should not be inclined to vote against Romney and Ryan for that reason; the plan would affect those born in 1958 and after, which includes Ryan, who was born in 1970. In addition, with Ryan in his administration, Romney may win over Wisconsin, which has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since the 1980s. Overall, Ryan is a popular, young, and experienced candidate, who has the potential of benefitting Romney as long as the administration remains focused on the important issues of the country’s future.
ReplyDeleteAlthough very controversial, I think that Mitt Romney's decision of picking Paul Ryan as his running mate is a suitable choice. Although our political beliefs somewhat oppose one another, Ryan brings a new life to the 2012 election, such that he changes the game from an election that focused more on meticulous details to one of more monumental topics. The addition of Ryan to Romney’s political campaign can also aid him in gaining electoral votes from the “swing states.” However, bringing Ryan into the race could also ultimately hurt Romney’s campaign due to the fact that he is so overwhelmingly conservative and lacks executive, business and foreign policy experience. It will be interesting to see how voters react to such a political move by Mitt Romney on Election Day. In my opinion, the pair of politicians could either do a phenomenal job at reconstructing and fixing our government or further put us into a recession and chaos.
ReplyDeleteRommney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate is an adequate decision on Romneys part. Ryan both excites the base of the republic party and further depicts the contrasts from the Obama economic policy to the Rombey-Ryan economic policy. Although Ryan keeps the focus on the big economic issues him being a white male won' help with the minority votes that Rommney is already severly lacking in. Overall Ryan is a sound choice that keeps the election on the economy and keeps the republican base happy.
ReplyDeleteAs there are with any decision, there are pros and cons to Romney's decision to add Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate. However, after weighing both sides it seems that Ryan was a good choice. Ryan's conservative views embody the Republican Party and have gained the support of the right. We all know that the nation's budget is a major topic in this campaign. It makes sense that Romney would choose Ryan when he had already endorsed Ryan's premium support medicare reform. As stated in the Wall Street Journal, "Romney's best chance for victory is to make this big election over big issues." That is what Ryan allows the Republican campaign to do. Ryan is known for his fiscal conservatism as the House Budget Chairman. Issues relating to Medicare and Social Security will trump Romney's personal financial record that Democrats have continuously criticized. The budget would be a major target of Democratic criticism whether it was Ryan that was addd to the ticket or some other Republican. Yes, his stance on Medicare reform might turn away the elderly, but at a mere 42 years old he might also attract a younger population of voters. Ryan, who has won his last six races in Wisconsin with at least 63% of the vote also gives the Republicans hope of winning a swing state that has not gone Republican since the 1980s. Though Ryan does not have a business background, I am not sure that matters in the end. Romney has continuously flaunted his experience in business and most corporations are going to vote Republican anyway. Instead Ryan's personality and "blue-collar" background, with summer jobs at McDonald's might make him more relatable. It might be a risky choice, but it seems that in this day and age any choice would be. Yes, Ryan is a white male which might turn away female and minority voters, but then again John McCain chose Sarah Palin as a "game-changer" in 2008 and that didnt quite work out.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's decision of Paul Ryan as a running mate has sparked much controversy throughout the nation. Although there are significant positive aspects of Romney's decision, i believe his selection was an overall poor one. Ryan may be able to help Romney get votes from the swing state Wisconsin which has gone mostly Democratic for the past 30 years but will cost him the votes of citizens 55 and under with whom under Ryan's budget proposal will no longer receive medicare. Ryan's Budget proposal really only benefits the wealthy class and hurts the majority of the population. His budget plan provides tax breaks for the wealthy but could raise the taxes of the middle and lower class citizens. The budget plan also lowers the availability of financial aid for students who come from middle and lower class families whom cannot easily afford the expenses of college.Ryan's budget proposal cuts spending on services which benefit middle and lower class citizens, which are the majority of the population. Ryan's budget proposal therefore harms students wishing to seek a college education and also citizens under 55 who will no longer receive the benefits of medicare. Also,one of Romney's biggest flaws is his lack of foreign policy experience. Instead of picking a running mate that has foreign policy experience Ryan also lacks experience as well. This further highlights Romney's flaws if he were to be elected president.Also Ryan's very conservative social views, although good for the republican base, turns off many middle of the road voters especially Women. Romney's decision of Paul Ryan as a running mate does have its benefits but was an overall poor decision.
ReplyDelete-Victoria Mascetti
Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan for his vice president is an overall smart move for his campaign. By choosing Ryan, Romney is taking the campaign focuses off all of the piety smaller issues and bringing the attention to the larger issues at hand. Ryan coming from a more modest background will attract more of the “blue collar” workers that were turned off by Romney’s wealth and business background. Romney also has a good chance at wining over the swing state of Wisconsin, considering his vice president is now a well-liked native. With this in consideration by choosing Ryan as his running mate the Romney campaign lacks the appeal to the minorities and women, and has somewhat of a more narrow spectrum appeal then the Obama campaign has. Ryan also has little background in foreign and business affairs, which may deter some voters. Despite this I think Romney’s choice as Ryan for a vice president will help his campaign focus on the larger issues, attract more voters, and I feel Ryan will succeed in discussions concerning economics due to his experience which could potentially win over many single issue voters.
ReplyDeleteBy choosing Ryan as his running mate, Romeny has made a bold but intelligent move. While Ryan's appointment will not help get the votes from key minorities, his youth and “middle-class” background will attract the votes from new voters as well as the working class, which might not have been the case because of Romney’s wealthy, business beginnings. In choosing a partner like Ryan, Romney will have no problem working with him because of their similar views but will attract other demographics because of their slight differences. Winning the swing states, like Wisconsin, is a key tactic in politics. By choosing Ryan, Romney has given himself a better chance of swinging Wisconsin toward his vote because of their “blue-collar” beliefs and his past record of winnings there. While neither have immense foreign experience, as Americans, we can hope Romney will have decent cabinet members to advise him on international affairs that Ryan fails with, as others have mentioned earlier. Also, Ryan’s budget plan has caused much debate, almost as much as Romney’s background has. Democrats have been using his plan to deter voters because of the amendments to Medicare, which is always a hot topic among the candidates. While there are slight controversies to Romney’s decision, it still is, politically, a smart move. He has chosen a man with economic experience, similar views, and youth.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romeny's choice of making Paul Ryan his running mate was a smart decision. Not only does it help him win votes in the swing state Wisconsin because Ryan is from there, but also helps Romeny's campaign have views on the economy rather than just critizing Obama's polices in economics in his last 4 years as president. The Wall Street Journal's editorial states, "Mr. Obama and the Democrats want to make this a small election over small things — Mitt's taxes, his wealth, Bain Capital. As the last two months have shown, Mr. Romney will lose that kind of election." However, by picking Ryan as a running mate Romeny is helping this election move away from what was originally thought as only a "small election". Though Ryan may not be the ideal running mate because he is a white male and will not help win votes from women or minorites, Romeny still made a very good decision. By focusing on bigger issues, and choosing Ryan as his running mate, Romeny has a better chance at winning this election.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate for the coming election is a favorable one. Ryan fits the Republican conservative outlook which will be appealing to voters. Romney's first major display of political power to the public has caused a positive response among the media, who believe Romney has made the right decision by choosing Ryan to run alongside him. Another positive attribute to having Ryan is that Romney may win the swing votes of the state of Wisconsin since Ryan has a background and popularity there. A place where Romney is unpopular to many Americans is in his economic policies. However, Ryan is covering Romney's flaws in this area, such as his past with taxes and wealth, by introducing his stance on the United States economy. His fiscal conservative ideas are popular amongst Republican voters, with his plan to revise the Medicare and Social Security in place under Obama, not eradicate them. Democrats underestimate Ryan's financial plans and consider him to be inexperienced in foreign policy, but overall Ryan was a step in the right direction for Romney to win the presidential election.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate was a tactful, wise decision to help him win this election. I am a Mitt Romney supporter, however, I felt that his extreme wealth, which the Obama administration is spotlighting, would hinder his chances of being our next president. Personally I would be inclined to follow a successful leader experienced in business, however, the rest of America could view him as unrelatable. Paul Ryan experienced various jobs like working at McDonalds, in construction and waiting tables, which makes him much more relatable. Also, our two most crucial federal programs that the future of our nation depends upon are withering under the Obama Administration. Social Security and Mediacare are currently a ticking time bomb, which Ryan is set out to fix. He is fiscally conservative, which is what the nation needs after its decade of over spending on borrowed money. His plan on cutting funds to senior programs may pose a problem for Florida, however Ryan's plan of changing Mediacare would not negatively impact senior citizens' coverage but fix the excess spending. In order to fund Obamacare, it will raid the mediacare funds which will be the same, if not worse ill effect.
ReplyDeleteChoosing Ryan as Romney’s running mate will hurt the Republican party’s campaign more than it will benefit. Ryan offers his expertise for budget policies from being head of the House Budget Committee, and Romney has thorough experience with business. Therefore, it may be conceived that Ryan’s lack of business experience is an issue, yet, Romney and Ryan could use their intense knowledges of business and budget policy in conjunction-- which shows the American people that Ryan is truly contributing to the recuperation. However, Ryan also lacks foreign policy experience, and since Romney does as well it creates a potentially inadequate pairing-- for Ryan could not offer any insight to Romney’s unawareness. Then again, this may slide for Ryan because during this election the topic of most importance is the economy-- not foreign dispute with other countries. The main issue Americans are concerned with is fixing the economy, and with Ryan as Romney’s partner voters see great potential with his experience. Not to mention Ryan has a respectable amount of like-ability in Wisconsin, an important swing state in the election. Ryan has a solid reputation in government, and although it makes for a clear cut and palpable election, his budget plan may give him a run for his money. In a difficult time like this, it is bold for Ryan to create a budget plan with highly conservative elements encompassed in it. When many Americans need governmental assist more than ever, it may be viewed critical of Ryan to propose such conservative policies. For example Ryan’s tactics to reform Medicare and Social Security will potentially turn away voters in Florida-- another important swing state. Romney’s strategies for the government have frequently has conservative approaches, and by choosing a fellow conservative like Ryan moderates and liberals will feel uneasy. Also, agreeing with Joe, being a white male may hinder receiving potential votes from minorities. Plus, history of Ryan repeat declinations of laws involving women’s rights will turn away many voters as well, as Obama embraces women’s health significantly. Thus personally I don’t encourage the idea of Ryan becoming vice president because although I believe it is necessary to move the economy forward, I don’t believe it is necessary to deprive women and the elderly of their basic rights. Nevertheless, for the Republican party Ryan deems adequate in his significantly strong approach to move the economy forward.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate was one of solidarity to the party. By picking Ryan, he is adhering to his Republican followers, and solidifying that his campaign will be resolutely conservative in both social and economic issues. With this decision, Romney will most likely lose the votes of the elderly and those who depend on government benefit programs like social security and medicare, which Ryan has made a "commitment to overhaul." However, these were not the votes that Romney was expecting or relying on anyway. The votes that Romney is depending on belong to the conservatives who will support Ryan's budget plans and changes to big government programs. Ryan's experience as the Chairman of the House Budget Committee and big plans for the nation's budget also helps to take the spotlight away from the background and difficulties in relatability which have been plaguing the Romney campaign, and have forced attention back onto big economic issues. Additionally, Ryan does present a slightly more relatable image as a young father of three rather than the older staid Romney. Voters who are looking for drastic economic change might also be swayed to the Republican side as a result of Romney's decision in choosing Ryan. Voters who are unhappy with the way the economy is going, and with Obama's handling of the economic situation, will certainly find a different path to a better economy outlined in the Romney campaign. Those looking for the change echoed from the last Obama campaign might find the radical changes they were hoping for in Ryan's economic and budget plan. Voters who find Ryan's starch conservative viewpoints on social issues too hard to swallow may find it hard to support the Republican campaign, however conservatives will happily find themselves in support of the Romney Ryan duo. All in all Romney's decision solidified his Republican viewpoints, and was a good decision for his campaign. - Katie Wall
ReplyDeleteIt's clear that in 2008 Americans wanted change by voting for Obama. The problem with Romney and his new running mate, Paul Ryan, is that they want to get rid of all the changes Obama has put in place. Basically every single one. Sure, some people are now complaining about Obama's policies and debts but the pulse of America couldn't have changed that drastically in only four years. That's why Romney has made a crutial mistake in choosing Ryan as his running mate. Many people see Romney as very conservative already, and choosing an even more conservative vice president is sure to turn alot of voters off. Romney and Ryan only seem to have the budget and their republican ideals in common, which makes it look like Romney only wants Ryan on the ballot for the hopes of getting Wisconsin's votes. Instead of choosing Ryan, it might have benefited Romney to choose a republican that's slightly more liberal with issues like women's rights and aid for the elderly. That would have truly balanced out the ticket and made it much easier for women and senior citizens to vote for Romney. As of right now I doubt many women will be willing to vote for someone whose staunchly against their right to choose. And that would be almost half of the population completely lost. Women are a crutial voting force and Romney is further isolating them by choosing Ryan. That, combined with other issues, makes Ryan a bad choice for Republican vice president.
ReplyDeleteRomney made a fair choice in picking Paul Ryan as his running mate. Ryan, as chairman of the House Budget Committee, has shown his dedication and energetic ability to lead in politics. At 42 years of age, Ryan is young enough to garner attention from new voters but also experienced enough to relate to older workers and tax payers. However because Ryan is mostly known for his stance on Medicare reform and not much else, voters are vulnerable to falsehoods easily used against Ryan. Now, not only will Romney's have to defend claims against his taxes, wealth, etc. but also Ryan's "extreme" republican beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe decision in making Rep. Paul Ryan was a solid strategic decision by Romney and the Republicans. He is relatively young (albeit 42 years of age), which will help draw voters that will not totally be able to relate to the 65 year old Romney. Rep. Paul Ryan is also from Wisconsin, which is incredibly good news for the Republicans (obviously one of the reasons why he was chosen as Romney's running mate). What this means is that they have a man on the ticket that comes from a swing state (with 11 electoral votes). Although somewhat small in the grand scheme of things, we all know how the votes add up and that they all matter. Florida in 2000, anyone? And finally, Rep. Paul Ryan is the chairman of the House Budget Committe. This shows that the Republicans, Romney, and Ryan are all dedicated in their attempts to prevent another downturn in the economy. Despite, the lack of job experience and speach mishaps, Ryan may very well be the running mate that puts Romney over the top and in to the White House. At least it will be a better pairing than that of Sarah Palin and John McCain.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney’s decision to unit with Paul Ryan during his presidential campaign could either work in his favor or against The Republican Party’s hopes to victory. Romney’s chosen Rep., Ryan, seems like a safe bet—he is a typical candidate of choice. Ryan is a conservative white male, which can only reinforce Romney’s creditability or diminish any chances he had to presidency. To the public, the decision to select a Vice President is truly the first actual decision that the candidates reflect to the people. It can show their strengths by acknowledging what they are lacking and how they are supporting it and reinforcing it or it can back fire and make a mockery of their campaign. Even though Ryan lacks foreign policy experience and isn’t the most relatable choice to the majority of people, he is a safe choice for Romney. However, since Romney clearly didn’t choose Ryan for shock value to gain the votes of minorities and women, he could still gain an upper hand with the swing-states (being that Ryan from Wisconsin). Although I’m not a fan of Romney and his decisions, I can say that I think his decision with Ryan is a favorable one for his campaign towards supporting Republicans. I don’t foresee any mishaps or obstacles with Ryan, but I do expect Obama and the Democratic Party to pull through and hopefully create something better for the people.
ReplyDeleteRomney choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate was indeed bold, however I believe it will prove beneficial. The decision was a daring one because it will definitely yield some more material for the Democrats to attack and bite into. With this decision, I believe there will be a clear display of a shifting of ideas in terms of the debate. The broader, more generalized "big picture" issues will be replaced with smaller topics on Obama's side in order to create a lead for themselves. There are many things to attack, one of them being the obvious experience gap between Romney and Ryan. Ryan lacks all the leadership and executive experience that Romney possess and which makes him a strong candidate for the Presidential position. Constant barraging of attacks on Romney's healthcare plan could also pose a huge conflict; however, not just by simply attacking an idea but consequentially reviving the splendor in the opponent's belief.
ReplyDeleteObviously, there are plenty of beneficial reasons for choosing Ryan as the VP candidate. For example, he provides many key votes. Maybe he wont spark votes within the women demographic or any particular minority however, he will sway Wisconsin - a state that had been unalterably in favor of Obama for quite some time. His history in Wisconsin will undoubtedly prove to extract a favorable amount of votes from there. In addition, Ryan supports Romney’s core values of change sufficiently. He tends to focus on large issues at hand – Medicare, the economy as a whole, etc. – while Obama will focus on small issues to try and win the arguments being held. I believe that the promises of fixing large issues will spark interest in a key demographic. Although I shouldn’t say that; perhaps not a key demographic, perhaps just a majority of the population will visualize Romney’s plan as appealing.
Overall, I wholeheartedly believe that Romney made an understandable and well-executed choice in choosing Ryan as his running mate. Ryan’s beliefs will underscore Romney’s values perfectly while exposing Romney to other states via Ryan’s Wisconsin ethos that were previously politically barricaded.
--Jonathan Grant
Romney made a wise strategic decision in selecting Paul Ryan as his running partner for the upcoming election. Ryan's experience as the Chairman of the House Budget Committee and plans for the nation's budget draws the attention of voters back to the important economic issues. Voters searching for a substantial change to the nations economy may lean more towards Ryan in hopes that with change will come improvement to the struggling economy. Although with plans to "overhaul" social security and medicare Ryan will most likely lose the support of the elderly, he makes up for that by the fact that he is young and easier for new voters and working class people to relate to. Also his Wisconsin background will prove very useful in winning the votes of that particular swing state. Even with such harshly conservative views, Romney's choice of Paul Ryan as his running partner will prove beneficial.
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ReplyDeleteMitt Romney is anticipating that his selection of Ryan will rally his conservative base in a campaign year in which the American people have been inundated with unfulfilled promises and proposals from the Obama administration. With the obliterated economy and unemployment still at a status quo, Americans have become fed up with the empty economic plans that have become akin to the Obama administration. On the other hand, Democrats are counting on Ryan’s selection to result in the same effect on their side. For months, the Obama campaign has been trying to tie Romney to Ryan’s Republican House budget proposal, which the president in April referred to as “social Darwinism” that would pit the poor against the wealthy. Ryan has proposed major cuts to spending and entitlement programs such as Obama Care in an effort to curb the spiraling national debt. Republicans believe than Ryan will put Obama in a untenable position over the spiraling national debt. Obama has centered his campaign on an appeal to the middle class, emphasizing his belief that the federal government should play a role in investing in public needs such as infrastructure, education and health care, drawing on the fundamental aspects of the New Deal instituted over fifty years ago. Romney and Ryan believe in the exact opposite, preferring tax cuts on the wealthy (supply-side economics), benefiting a small, select group and leaving the middle class with little to no fiscal support. While the youthful and robust Ryan may help Romney take the focus off his undisclosed tax returns, at least temporarily, and return the debate to the budget and economy, the congressman also presents an opportunity for Democrats who believe that Americans have grown frustrated with an increasingly ideological, rigid and conservative Republican Party.
ReplyDelete- Carl Surrow
Traditionally, the vice presidential running mate serves as a crucial addition to the ticket, particularly in regards to compensating for the deficits and complementing the strengths of the presidential candidate. Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan—a bold one met with great skepticism and excitement—might be just the type of "risky" decision needed to boost Romney’s campaign. Various sources have referred to Ryan as a “lightning rod” or an “energizer”; and aside the vigor he brings to the table and his youth (juxtaposed with Romney’s age), the rising GOP star is irrefutably a qualified and intelligent source of economic insight despite his mentioned inexperience in business and international affairs. An emphasized and repeated point is the intended shift of focus from fretting over the smaller issues to tackling the larger issues at hand—an appropriate mindset for the present matters at hand as well as a notable apposition to the Obama administration. His experience does not necessarily outweigh his unfavorable standpoint on women’s rights and aid for the elderly, however despite any resulting voter deterrence due to Ryan’s budget and Medicare plans or his being a white male, his modest background and experience enable him to obtain a mounting popularity and support his being a suitable counterpart to Romney’s ticket.
ReplyDeleteCongressman Ryan’s selection as a Vice Presidential Candidate affected the election of 2012 by taking the focus off of Governor Romney’s personal wealth. This changes the election of 2012 in Governor Romney’s favor. This prevents the Democrats from turning this election into a small election over small things, which according to The Wall Street Journal, is the kind of election Romney will lose. Also, with his choice, Romney can now focus his campaign on President Obama’s mishandling of the economy. Congressman Ryan was a good choice as a running mate because he is most well known for his commitment to reforming many pressing issues that are on the minds of voters of this election such as Medicare and Social Security. Also, he is a good choice because of his popularity in his home state of Wisconsin and in Florida, two important swing states.
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest, I have not paid much attention to this coming election (guilty) because I already have a clear vision of what I would like to be the outcome of the polls: an Obama victory so that he can finish his plans that have already been enacted in his first term. Despite this, the selection of Paul Ryan as the possible vice president on the part of Mitt Romney was a wise decision on the part of the presidential candidate. Ryan’s programs such as “his commitment to overhauling big federal programs” greatly appeal to the Republican people because it promises (whether or not this be an empty promise) a decline in government involvement in the individual lives on citizens. Obama is framed as attempting to turn the country into a socialist society and Ryan’s political values might just be the ticket that can balance out Romney’s own values, which many voters do not agree with, and gain more support from those that opposed Obama’s administrative decisions. Though Ryan lacks experience in the foreign policy field (which can be very dangerous given the intensity of global connections that is the modern world) the political power that he holds by presenting his straightforward and non-circuitous plans for the country makes him a promising candidate that could benefit Romney more than harming his campaign. However, the article lacks enough depth to make a proper decision based on the simple “pros” and “cons” that it provides, which makes it difficult to judge the proper effects that Ryan will have on the election.
ReplyDelete~Elizabeth Smoller
Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his Vice President was definitely a good move. Ryan does lack experience in foreign policy and in a position of executive power, but America's main concern is the economy, so bringing in a skilled economist is a bold and effective statement. Ryan's budget plan is an answer to the disappointments of the Obama administration's handling of the economy and can offer those who were let down a better option. Selecting Ryan could potentially attract more blue-collar workers due to his background as well as the state of Wisconsin, which usually votes democrat. Ryan's plan to move away from the smaller issues is putting this election into a more favorable position for the Republicans to succeed.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney made a good choice by choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate for this 2012 election. Not only has his choice increased his chances of winning, but it has changed the focus of the election to the big ideas, which is not what the Democrats wanted. In this election, Romney may be able to get votes from swing state Wisconsin, which has not gone Republican since 1984, due to Ryan's "blue-collar" work there in the past which make people connect with him. Ryan is also quite young and brings a fresh and new approach to presidential electoral politics. Yes, he may not have much experience with foreign policy, but there are many other pros that in my opinion definitely outweigh the cons. Also, much conversation has been brought up about Ryan’s Medicare reform plan which, as stated on usnews.com, would allow patients, doctors, and private insurers to make care decisions however some might not know that in Obamacare, all that power is placed in hands of unelected bureaucrats. Overall, Ryan was a good choice made by Romney for Vice Presidential candidate.
ReplyDeleteChoosing Paul Ryan as a running mate was a smart decision for Mitt Romney. First off he will bring in more votes from his home state of Wisconsin. He will also take some attention off of Romney's wealth. Ryan has great plans for the nations budget, and the experience to back it up, being chairmen of the house budget comite. Also Ryan and Romney are both conservative white males. This could either increase Romney's credibility or hurt him due to his lack of diversity. Although i think Ryan is a great choice, and i respect him and his ideals, i think it would have been a smart decision to choose a woman or a latino candidate. This would allow him to win over people with with a wider range of beliefs and needs. However, Romney and Ryan balance each other out in a way. Romney has an abundance of experience where Ryan has only been involved in politics since 1998. Ultimately, i think Romney and Ryan will head the country in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate was a tactical decision and may prove to be advantageous in the upcoming election. Ryan's fiscal conservative viewpoints and ideas on Medicare and Social Security will help shift the election in a different direction then one in which may hinder Romney's chances of winning. Because Obama is focusing so much on Romney's wealth and other smaller issues in an attempt to make it a small election, Ryan will help turn the tables and make the election broader. This fact alone will allow leeway for voters of both a conservative and liberal view to possibly back Romney and Ryan. It is a common theme for Americans to want to feel economically stable in the present and future. Ryan's views will help the Republican ticket move forward strongly in a pursuit to leave economic distresses in the past and focus on the future of economics. Ryan's blue-collar background leaves him with a chance to help sway Wisconsin conservatively and in Romney's favor. Wisconsin hasn't voted Republican since the 1980's, this minute advantage could make a major difference when it comes to the voting booths. Although, Ryan lacks foreign policy, this factor doesn't carry enough weight to deem him a bad decision on Romney's part. So far Ryan proves to be more of an asset then a hindrance for the Republican ticket.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question that Mitt Romney's decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate has stirred up some controversy. Republicans believe it was a good choice, since it has the potential to give them more votes from Wisconsin in the upcoming election,as well as a more favorable budget for the wealthy. However, I believe that Mr. Romney has secured votes from the wealthy white male demographic all on his own. What he should have done was pick a running mate that would add diversity to his campaign, and let the minorities know they will not be ignored. Also, Ryan's lack of experience could hurt his credibility. In the current state our nation is in, we desperately need someone who knows how to deal with foreign nations, and can appear amicable yet professional in negotiating with other countries. I think it would have been a smart strategical move on Mitt Romney's part if he had picked someone who wasn't so similar to himself. Perhaps if his running mate were more open to same sex marriage or willing to budge slightly on the issue of abortion in certain cases, then I believe Romney could have gained a larger support group. I believe that the actions Ryan has planned for medicare may cost them the state of Florida, which could be detrimental to the Republican victory. Overall, I believe Mitt Romney could have chosen a better running mate. -Angelica Tesoriero
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's decision in choosing Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate was definitely a bold move on his part. It seems as though the biggest priority in the U.S. right now is fixing the economy. Being in a recession is difficult and no one wants to see another depression. Unemployment is up and the candidates have focused mainly on the status of our economy throughout their campaigns. Although some may think Ryan is inexperienced, his fresh ideas may be just what the economy needs. After 4 years with Obama as president, the economy has not been stabilized. With Ryan's budget plan, economic relief might not be far away. By choosing a young, middle class male as his running mate, Mitt Romney could swing votes from members of the working class that can relate to Paul Ryan. With Ryan's fresh new ideas on how to help the economy, I feel that Mitt Romney made a wise decision and will succeed in receiving votes from a large population interested in getting the American economy back on track.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Romney's decision to pick Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential Candidate was an excellent choice. First of all, Ryan's introduction to the election has shifted the focus of the debate to bigger issues, such as the economy, rather than focusing on petty arguments like Romney's tax returns or Obama's college transcripts. Ryan is an energetic, young running mate, and his conservative views have been supported by positive feedback from conservative Republican voters. Romney made a wise choice in choosing a running mate of the younger age group, because the pair's parallel views and rather similar features brings a father-son image to mind, which I feel adds a personal and comforting touch for the Republicans. Ryan has remained devoted to his GOP beliefs about America's economy, and is justified because of his experience as head of the House Budget Committee. In Obama's four years in office, he has failed to do much regarding the economy, so bringing in Romney and Ryan into office may be just the thing America needs in its economic future. Regarding Ryan's so-called lack of experience: Obama only served 300 days in the Senate, so what makes him so different experience-wise? Overall I think the combination of Ryan's conservative views, economic plans, blue-collar background, and appealing personality will prove to be beneficial to Romney in the upcoming election.
ReplyDeleteI think Mitt Romney made the right choice in selecting Paul Ryan as his running mate and potential future vice president. The Democrats have counted on the small things getting them into a position where thry could win. With Ryan thrown into the mix, the people are automatically drawn away from those things and begin to look at the bigger picture. It was a move by Romney that was strategic and advantageous in a way. If you look at Ryan from a distance you may see someone with a minimal amount of experience who doesn't know much about foreign policy but knows enough about financial policies to establish his ideas as a major factor in this election. So as we try to figure out the reasoning behind Romney's selection, we see that Ryan does more than just pitch in ideas (good or bad), he brings a new life to the campaign. His young age and possible lack of complete experience appeals more to the younger set of voters. They feel closer and can relate to him more than they could with the much older Romney. His decision could change the outcome in swing states too that could be the difference in the election.
ReplyDeleteThere have been mixed feelings shown as a result of Mitt Romney's decision to select Paul Ryan as his running mate. This was in fact a bold and unexpected choice. There are many benefits Ryan brings to the republican table such as his age alone. He's only forty-two years old which can spark life into the republican campaign and gain the support of many new voters. This young age factor should not steer people into thinking he lacks experience due to the fact that he's the chairman of the House Budget Committee. The only area in need of more experience by Ryan would be foreign policy. Ryan also helps the republicans by giving them a serious edge in gaining the support of Wisconsin, a state that has not voted for a republican since the 1980 election. Ryan's highly conservative background can be considered a setback in receiving the support of minorities and the gay community, especially since Barack Obama himself is black AND supports gay rights. Overall, Paul Ryan proves to be a bold, yet risky pick for Mitt Romney and republicans everywhere.
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ReplyDeleteAccording to the republicans Mitt Romney’s decision choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate was a smart choice. I agree with the republicans when it comes to this because he is known to be committed to addressing and reforming many important issues like social security. Paul Ryan is also well known and well liked for his involvement with Medicare. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are both very conservative therefore people who appeal to Mitt Romney should also be in favor of Paul Ryan. From being head of the House Budget committee Paul Ryan brings a lot of experience to the table. However some people may see Paul Ryan as a poor choice because of his lack of experience with foreign policy however overall he is a well liked man who will bring in a lot of votes for Mitt Romney especially in Wisconsin. Even though I still believe that the Democratic Party has a better shot of winning this election and is the better choice Mitt Romney choosing Paul Ryan should defiantly help his chances.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate was overall a good decision, but the choice also provides some criticism. Ryan's working class roots help to balance Mitt Romney's immense wealth. Ryan also provides votes that are critically needed in his home state of Wisconsin, which voted solidly for Obama four years ago. Before his choice of Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney was losing the "small election" as his taxes and wealth were being criticized by the Democrats. It was shown that Romney would have lost the "small election" and thus Ryan was a good choice to help move the election to the bigger scale. Ryan's fiscal conservatism has also appealed to conservatives, but his overhauling of Medicare and Social Security have raised some questions in the Democratic party. Additionally, Ryan's lack of foreign policy experience has led some to believe that he is not yet fit for the position and his young age will ultimately hurt him. Furthermore, if a candidate such as Marco Rubio were chosen this may have attracted more votes. Rubio's background of escaping tyranny in Cuba, coming to America, and rising to success all help to show the idea of the American dream. This would have helped more so then Ryan's blue collar background, as Rubio would have also attracted the Hispanic vote, which Romney is lacking currently. Ultimately, Paul Ryan was the safe decision and he will provide a benefit to Mitt Romney's Campaign.
ReplyDeleteSince the economy took a turn for the worst in the mid 2000's, it has been the focus of nearly every election. No Americans want to live under a poor economy, and Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as the vice presidential candidate will boost the votes for himself, and the economy if he is to win. As important of an election as this is, it shouldn't be focused on petty issues, but on the largest issue of all: the economy. Many people see that Social Security and Medicare are two big economic issues that are bankrupting the country. Paul Ryan will provide the country with huge changes to these institutions, fixing two major portions of the economy. Much of the Democratic anti-Romney campaign has to do with the fact that he is too rich, and he will favor the rich too much, making him a bad president. The edition of Paul Ryan to the ticket will also make the election more so about the bigger issues, as the election topics should go from Romney's current economic state, to the future of our country's economic state. No matter what, this will most likely end up being a neck and neck election. Due to this, "swing states" that can go either way, such as Wisconsin, will be extremely important on election day. Paul Ryan will help Ryan to win the state of Wisconsin, which could be the deciding factor in an election that may only be determined by a few electoral votes.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney's choice to pick Paul Ryan as his Vice President was a strategic move for the election. Paul Ryan's positions on Medicare and Social Security will draw attention away from Democrats' cries for Mitt Romney's tax returns and focus on the economy. The economy is the most important part of the election, and Mitt Romney's plans along with Ryan's will help to get America out of the recession. Some Democrats also claim that Ryan does not have enough experience in politics, and although his knowledge of foreign politics is limited, he has been serving as a Congressman for Wisconsin since 1999 and is chairman of the House Budget Committee. I believe he is a good choice for the Vice Presidency as his views will strengthen the Republican stance on a variety of issues. I am curious as to how much Romney's pick will influence voters, and if elected, how they will function together in office
ReplyDeleteAny person that Mitt Romney selected to be his running mate would have caused much controversy in the political world and in the upcoming election because any person would bring with them a set of pros and cons. Romney’s decision of Paul Ryan for his Vice President will prove to be a smart decision because the positive aspects that Ryan brings to the republican campaign vastly outweigh the negative factors. By choosing Ryan, Romney is shifting the debate from attacks on personal pasts to presenting political and economic plans for when and if they are voted into office which will give Romney better chances at winning the election than if it were the former. A con that Ryan presents is his economic ideas about changing entitlement programs which help many American’s today which can negatively affect Romney’s campaign, but if what is being done now isn’t helping the economy, why would it be so terrible to try something new that might help stimulate the economy? The potential votes that Ryan brings with him into the race will have a very positive affect on the Romney campaign and can only help in the competition for the presidency. Overall, Romney and Ryan will prove to be a powerful pairing against Obama and the democratic campaign in the upcoming election.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney made a smart decision in choosing Paul Ryan as his Vice President. Ryan will clearly appeal to a wider number of Republicans. Ryan's popularity and blue collar appeal may help Romney win crucial swing states such as Wisconsin. One key thing to note regarding Paul Ryan is his age. Being that he is younger, he may attract more support from the younger voters. However, his age can potentially be his fatal flaw. It is very likely that Ryan will be criticized for being young and inexperienced by Democrats, especially in regards to business and foreign policy. Considering the nation's current economic situation, a strong knowledge of business and how to interact with the economies of foreign nations will be vital. Despite this I believe that his appeals will certainly help Romney gain some additional votes.
ReplyDeleteAll in all Mitt Romney has made a good choice in choosing Pual Ryan as his running partner. Paul Ryan is appealing to many people with his financial plan and strong work ethics. Many people have critisized Romney that he will only help the rich because he comes from wealth himself. Now with Ryan, Romneys wealth will be more balanced out. Paul Ryan may have a problem with his young age and lack of experience. He also doenst have much experience in reguards to foreign policy. Overall Paul Ryan will help Romney obtain many more votes including Wisconsin which will be a vital asspect in Romneys campaign. Paul Ryan will by all means help Romney in gaining success in this election.
ReplyDeleteOpinions about Paul Ryan's views aside, he was a good choice for Mitt Romney's running mate. As the governor of Massachusetts, Romney's policies were moderate--some may even say liberal; however, there is no question that Ryan is a conservative. Picking a conservative that mixes well with the party's base is always a good choice to get votes from the core of the party. Furthermore, Ryan doesn't meddle with small things. His two big issues are Medicare and Social Security--national institutions that affect the whole country. On the other hand, Ryan has no foreign policy experience and has no background in business--and as Medicare and Social Security can be hailed as businesses of the government, it's hard to know where his policies on those two issues are coming from. All in all, Ryan is a solid pick for VP due to his focus on big issues and the fact that he will gain support of the conservative base.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to veer away from the typical formulaic writing, because i'm sure it bores you just as much as it does me. Anyway regarding the issue I think all Romney did was Play it Safe. Sure, He has votes locked in with conservatives, and has a better grip, but not everybody in the United States is a rich white guy from the south. Although Ryan does seem to be aware of popular issues, and actually know the issues that come at hand, unlike former vice presidential nominees (her name rhymes with tara hailin.) Regardless of his strong views on issues including social security, and Medicare, I don't believe that this countries major demographics focus on just that. The people of the United States want someone who they can relate to, A president and a Vice President both need to have a certain complex to them, that makes the people feel like they are just at their level. As americans, we carry a strange superiority complex, and we want to think that our leaders don't think that they are all that and a bag of popcorn. Romney should have veered away from his comfort zone and took a chance. Paul Ryan, lacks the focus on important social issues that are affecting our country daily. The people need to be interested in government by understanding what is going on, and being interested on what is being legislated. Mitt Romney should have chosen a nominee to make the people care, and fuel the people to want a change in the government.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney choosing Paul Ryan as his Vice President was definitely controversial. On one side, Paul Romney adds a conservative touch to Mitt Romney's often liberal opinions, as well as reach out to the younger prospective voters. He gives the Republican party a chance to win states such as Wisconsin, which Mitt Romney would not have had the best chance without Ryan. However, I believe Paul Ryan is not the best suitable candidate for Mitt Romney if he is expecting to win the election. Paul Ryan is an open target for the Democrats to exploit, and thus would bring negativity to the Republican party. Also, while Paul Ryan can accomplish things that Mitt Romney would not be able to achieve on his own, Ryan lacks the experience that is needed in regards to foreign policy. In order for people to want to vote for the Republican Party, they need to feel certain that both the President and Vice President will instill prosperity and security for the country. If Ryan is lacking in foreign policy, something a Vice President needs to know quite a lot about, people are going to be concerned about whether or not this would be a good choice for the country. I think that Mitt Romney's intention in picking someone who can balance him out are correct, however I think he should have chosen a Vice President that is more experienced and less of a target for society and the other party to trash.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is a current controversial topic, Romney's decision to have Ryan as his running mate was ultimately a smart one. Democrats may like Ryan since Romney has adopted his budgetary plan, and they plan to attack it. Another disadvantage for the Republicans is Ryan's lack of foreign policy experience and business background. Although, two qualities which are important to have, the advantages to choosing Ryan outweigh the disadvantages. Ryan has helped give Romney a better chance of winning more votes, since he can shift the focus from small to big issues. As head of the House of Budget Committee, Ryan's experience there has allowed him to commit to programs such as Medicare or social security. Bringing these topics up instead of Romney's personal finances, allow debates to shift to "America's economic future". On top of that, Ryan's personal ties with the swing state of Wisconsin could help Romney. Even though Wisconsin hasn't voted Republican since the 1980s, Ryan's past successes there and percentage of votes won could help Romney win the extra votes which are needed. Ultimately, choosing Ryan was a good decision on Romeny's part and gives Romney more advantages in the election than he had before.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Mitt Romney's decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate was crucial, yet beneficial. Republicans will agree with Romney’s decision since Ryan’s conservative views create a nice balance between him and Romney. Romney’s decision has forced the candidates to debate over the controversial issues of increasing the size and role of the United States Government. Further, the Obama administration had been focusing on the “small things” in Romney’s beliefs, like his extreme amount of wealth; Ryan’s main focus on two major programs, Social Security and Medicare, will help offset the negative feelings the public has toward Romney’s beliefs. If Romney is elected president, he will certainly need the support of Ryan in order to focus his attention on the future of America’s economy and create new programs, increasing America’s overall status. Additionally, Ryan will hopefully bring along with him the support of Wisconsin, a state the Republican Party has failed to win in decades. Of course, nobody is perfect and yes, Ryan does have flaws, such as his lack of foreign policy experience; with time in office Ryan will acquire these skills since he will be around advisors assisting him all of the time. Overall, Romney’s decision helped his campaign since both of Romney and Ryan’s views will gain a majority of support of the Republicans in America.
ReplyDeleteWhile it can be argued that Mitt Romney selecting Paul Ryan as his new vice presidential candidate was either an excellent decision on Romney's part or a terrible decision that will only hinder the GOP's chances for reclaiming the White House in the upcoming election, I think most people can agree that Romney's decision was one of controversy and excitement. Choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Romney has shown the nation that this election will not focus on the smaller issues, but better yet, focus on the larger (and arguably more essential) issues at hand, mainly concerning the economy. Paul Ryan seemed to fit the bill, or ticket, better than anyone else, being an educated conservative who showed utmost interest in finance with his extreme dedication to large federal programs, those of which include Medicare and Social Security. It could be said that Romney played it safe selecting a young white male whose youth and charisma would most likely appeal to the majority of the population, but in fact, it was quite the contrary. With little to no experience in the areas of business and foreign policy, and a heavy belief in a budgetary plan extremely opposed by the democrats, Paul Ryan would prove to be a very risky choice. With that being said, Romney's decision has definitely brought much needed excitement back to the political race, and will spark many debates in the future as we approach election time. Overall, I feel that Mitt Romney made the right choice in selecting Paul Ryan as his vice president; I think this addition to the ticket will be one of the deciding factors in the upcoming election.
ReplyDeleteAs a running mate for Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan appears to be a good choice politically. He has a lot of experience in finance, which will be useful during such a turbulent economical time in the U.S. In addition, the fact that he comes from Wisconsin is also a huge plus for Romney's campaign. Having a swing state official on Romney’s side may prove to be beneficial as the Presidential race comes to a close. You never know-Wisconsin could hold the deciding vote in the end.-Allison Latini
ReplyDeleteAlso, it seems that Ryan's skills as an orator will be an asset to the Romney campaign. Ryan is a great speaker and will definitely be able to win over voters with his dynamic, rhetoric-filled speeches.
The fact that Ryan comes from the working class will no doubt gain more voters because he appears to be “one of the people.” The fact that Romney had to work and save in order to put himself through college will appeal to many voters who have done the same, and know the value of hard work and a good education.
On a different note, Ryan seems to be very interested in staying fit and healthy- I am interested to see if he could possibly come to rival Michelle Obama's campaign for healthy eating and personal fitness.
Choosing Ryan as a running mate was a polarizing choice for Romney. The presidential candidate shied away from the safe choice of Senator Portman and risked another Palin debacle by choosing a partner with such limited national stage exposure. While Ryan's career history as a political speech writer and member of Congress certainly detracts from Romney's argument about Obama's ineptness due to lack of experience in the private sector, Ryan has to potential to significantly expand both Romney's campaigning budget and his appeal to a broader group of voters. Paul Ryan proposed spending plan which would cut out millions in government benefits tethers Romney to the more staunch conservatives, whose support for the Republican candidate has been rather tepid. Ryan's Catholic blue-collar background could also help boost Romney's popularity in key states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. With more focus now on the government spending and the economy, the Romney campaign can now switch to the offensive. Ryan has shown himself to be a charismatic and compelling presence on the campaign trail, a necessary trait that Romney lacks. Within 24 hours after Ryan was announced as Romney's running mate, $3.5 million poured in from invigorated conservative donors. A few days after, the Representative met with billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who pledged another $100 million to help the Republicans defeat Obama. No doubt that Ryan will face criticism for his lack of private sector and foreign policy experience, but the Romney campaign is relying on his personal popularity and his firm stance on budget policy to carry him through.
ReplyDeleteCorinne Lizzio
ReplyDeleteRyan was chosen because the country as a whole described Romney as 'a robot' and 'impersonal.' Ryan evokes a feeling that he's 'one of us' similar to what Obama does. He is a brilliant choice to act as a counterpart to Romney, as he has little experience working with big corporations. Perhaps many who would traditionally side against Romney, because he is a millionaire, would consider the Republican ticket because the VP is someone who does not come from money. A major problem with the Republican party is the way that it portrays its stance on jobs. Although there are varying degrees of conservatives, the predominant feel is that they do not sympathize with the middle class because they have never been in the middle class, and that they could never understand what the people they rule over are feeling. A politician should know who he governs, and for this reason, I think that Ryan is a good choice. Are there better choices? Probably, but none are Republican. I would love to see an election where the President has much different views than his Vice President, even though that is highly improbable to occur. It would be interesting to see how the votes would be split. It is important to choose someone with a similar platform, but not exactly the same, and I think Ryan will be an excellent VP candidate for Romney.
As evidenced by his speech at the Republican National Convention, Ryan captured the hearts of America, appealing to almost everyone. Romney, in my opinion, failed to do so. I think that Ryan makes the Republican ticket more appealing to those who are 'on the fence.'
However, Condoleezza Rice would have been a wonderful choice.
I agree with Liz when stating that Mitt Romney's decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate was indeed beneficial. Yes, Ryan may not be very well liked amongst the liberals; However, his promises to renovate entitlement programs for future retirees and the poor have allowed him to become a hero to the conservatives. As stated in the article by the National Review editors, "Governor Romney has made an inspired choice." Mr. Ryan provides detailed ideas and solutions for fixing the budget, ultimately making up for Romney's lack lack of detail presented in the campaign thus far. Such a decision to choose Mr. Ryan shows that Romney has rethought his strategies for this campaign as well, which many might appreciate. Up until this point, it is obvious that Romney has wanted the GOP candidate to maintain a fairly low policy profile, while trying to make this election simply on the vote on the president. Mr. Ryan along with his precise budget prescriptions, allows that idea to be turned on its head. And although some say they are worried about Ryan's lack of experience, I believe he should be fine considering he has been a Congressman for fourteens years as well as the House Budget Committee chairman. Mitt Romney's decision may have been a but risky, but overall, I believe it was definitely a beneficial one.
ReplyDeleteMitt Romney needed a more conservative VP on his ticket to guarantee the vote of the conservative base. John McCain lacked this himself due to his liberal views on abortion during the 2008 election. He lost the Episcopalian and Catholic votes. Mitt Romney has a moderate leaning background and needs Ryan's die-hard conservatism.
ReplyDeleteDuring the last election, many voters found no distinction between the two candidates. Ryan's constant attacks on Obama as Congressman make for a clear contrast for voters.
Ryan has done what Obama has not; the Democrats have not come up with a budget in the last three years. Obama's own budget could not pass the Senate, which is controlled by his own party, whereas Ryan succeeded in passing his own budget through the House. In an election where the economy WILL be the most important topic, this will clearly bring in votes for the Republican ticket.
Despite growing discontent in Europe and the Middle East, the average American is more concerned about the economy right now, so Ryan's lack of foreign diplomacy experience is not a big problem. He has the same amount or more than Obama did four years ago and that was not a problem for voters. And in concern to his business background, working summers at McDonald's is more of a job than Barack Obama ever held before he became a politician.
Paul Ryan is a good choice for Romney. Mitt Romney has no doubt spent hours upon hours making this decision, as his campaign now depends on it. As far as we know right now, (knock on wood) Ryan is clean as a whistle, which is a difficult thing for politicians today.
-Tom Catinella
I agree with what others have stated that choosing a white male won’t hurt Romney, but won’t help him as Obama will most likely receive the majority of the black vote. But I don’t think that Romney chose Ryan because of his race, he chose him for the advantages that he will receive by adding him to his campaign. As James Rainey said, Romney will hopefully shift the debate of his financial past and all other small things about Romney to America’s economic future and other key issues. Romney may also gain votes in Wisconsin (a state that has been solidly Democratic since 1980) as a result because of Ryan’s blue-collar background. Although Ryan lacks foreign policy experience and business experience, the pros outweigh the cons which makes Paul Ryan a great VP choice for Mitt Romney.
ReplyDelete-Eddie Markiewicz
Mitt Romney made a smart decision in choosing Paul Ryan as his Vice President. Ryan will clearly appeal to a wider number of Republicans. Ryan's popularity and blue collar appeal may help Romney win crucial swing states such as Wisconsin. One key thing to note regarding Paul Ryan is his age. Being that he is younger, he may attract more support from the younger voters. However, his age can potentially be his fatal flaw. It is very likely that Ryan will be criticized for being young and inexperienced by Democrats, especially in regards to business and foreign policy. Considering the nation's current economic situation, a strong knowledge of business and how to interact with the economies of foreign nations will be vital. Despite this I believe that his appeals will certainly help Romney gain some additional votes.
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