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Associated Press
President Barack Obama greets people waiting for him on the tarmac as he arrives at O’Hare International Airport on Air Force One, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in Chicago.
Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 | 2:42 p.m.
Romney picks Paul
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KSNV coverage of local reaction to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's decision to run with Rep. Paul Ryan, Aug. 11, 2012.
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CHICAGO — Democrats pounced on Mitt Romney's selection of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate Saturday, saying the pick showed a commitment to "budget-busting tax cuts" for the wealthy and greater burdens on the middle class and seniors.
President Barack Obama's campaign team said Romney's choice made clear that the former Massachusetts governor would be forced to adhere to the principles laid out in the House Republican budget — authored by Ryan — which they said would undermine entitlement programs crucial to middle-class families and seniors. Democrats said privately that the choice of Ryan could help Obama in states with large numbers of elderly voters, such as Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Obama met with top advisers Saturday at his campaign headquarters shortly after arriving in Chicago for a series of birthday-themed fundraisers scheduled for Sunday. The president did not publicly comment on Ryan's selection and aides described the headquarters stop as a typical weekly meeting.
Obama's campaign manager, Jim Messina, said in a statement that Romney had "chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy."
Previewing the campaign's line of attack, Messina called Ryan the "architect of the radical Republican House budget" and said it would "end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors." Ryan was chief author of a House-backed budget plan that would curb overall entitlement spending and convert Medicare into a voucher-like system in which future seniors would receive subsidies to purchase health insurance on the open market.
Less than two hours after Romney introduced Ryan as his running mate, the Obama campaign released a 90-second Web video showing footage of the men appearing together. The ad calls Ryan the "mastermind behind the extreme GOP budget plan" and includes an audio clip of Romney saying earlier this year that it would be "marvelous" if the Senate were to adopt the Ryan budget. The ad ends with this tagline: "Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan: Back to the failed top-down policies that crashed our economy."
Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said Ryan had laid the groundwork in Congress for Romney's budget plan, which she said gives tax cuts to millionaires while punishing middle-class families. She said Romney and Ryan would repeat mistakes of former President George W. Bush.
"A Romney-Ryan ticket is sure to take us back and repeat the same catastrophic mistakes that got us into the mess we found ourselves in in the first place," Wasserman Schultz said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has blasted Romney for failing to release additional years of his tax returns, said in a statement that by picking Ryan, Romney "has doubled down on his commitment to gut Social Security and end Medicare as we know it."
Romney's choice "demonstrates that catering to the Tea Party and the far-right is more important to him that standing up for the middle class," said Reid, D-Nev.
Obama had no public events planned in Chicago on Saturday but was expected to raise $3.5 million to $4 million at a series of fundraisers Sunday connected to his recent 51st birthday, including and event at his South Side home. The president was then taking a three-day swing through Iowa, the state that launched his presidential bid in 2008.
"saying the pick showed a commitment to "budget-busting tax cuts" for the wealthy and greater burdens on the middle class and seniors."
Voter's may want to ask what the burdens would be (on everyone) from a global depression caused by the collapse of the dollar and U.S. economy....because that is the most likely scenario with an obama re-election.
Romney's pick of Ryan shows his committment to solving the nations jobs and budget crisis.
They will lead rather then follow behind
They will take responsibility rather they blame others
We will expect them to cut back our bloated government
We will expect them to shift our nation from a welfare state to a work ethic
We expect Romney-Ryan to run against continuing Obama's failed policies and promote budget responsibility and jobs
They'll have to try to destroy and discredit him as they don't have anybody that can hold a candle to him.
Budget busting... Obma and another spin for his sheep. Try to get the 52% who voted for him and paid no taxes to chip in. Nahhh... that will not happen... they are holding their collective breath hoping that first of the month trip to walmart is not taken away from them.
If an additional $6 TRILLION added to the deficit in LESS THAN 4 YEARS keeps him in office then there is little hope for this country.
As always, simply follow the money. Ryan's budget privatizes SS. This moves truckloads of money to wall street. Management fees, transaction fees, and all the interest goes to the already wealthy. We get to pay the fees and assume the risk. Typically Republican plan.....keep moving the money to the wealthy. Always follow the money and ignore the well marketed, misleading rhetoric from the right. The money goes to wall street, don't fall for ANY other explanation.
Great post "CreatedEQL".
Romney did the Democrats a favor by picking Ryan as his VP. Republican chances at the White House just went from little chance to no chance.
This doesn't change anything. The right wing tea party well still cast their single ballots for their man and the liberal democrats well still vote for President Obama....It's the independant voters who well decide this election, just as they have decided all the others. Mitts horse lost in the olympics just as he is already losing this election. What's good about this is Paul Ryan well not be running for his seat in congress and is from a mainly Democratic district so when he loses the VP bid he well be out of office and replaced by a liberal in the House. My opinion is Mitt did the Democrats a BIG favor so thanks.
All those Tea Party Folks that get Medicare and Social Security better start thinking about your future especially if you need either one. If you are like Sheldon Adelson then by all means vote for the Romney Ryan ticket. If you're middle class, you better think again.
"BRASS" was quoted as writing, "They'll have to try to destroy and discredit him as they don't have anybody that can hold a candle to him."
In reply; the Democrats don't have any candles, but they sure have plenty of votes. Bye bye Republicans come election time.
"Budget busting tax cuts" - what budget is that? Not Obama's, which NOBODY voted for, and not the Senate's, which our own Harry Reid has not produced for over three years, the lawbreaker.
"undermine entitlement programs" - as opposed to just letting them continue on until they are broke?
"tax cuts to millionaires while punishing middle-class families" - as opposed to running trillion dollar deficits that will ultimately destroy the value of the dollar, the credit rating of the country, and destroy what is left of the middle class?
Yes, Ryan is radical and extreme. Radical in that he actually proposes solutions instead of whining about what the previous administration did, and extreme in that he believe in letting people make their own choices.
Not sure why Romney would link himself to a guy who is known for his disdain of Medicare. Seniors aren't dumb. They will look at privatization as a negative. Not much different than regular private insurance. Rates have gone thru the roof.
My campaign has been stuck in neutral since I haven't been able to sell any credibility to the public, they just won't buy my scam.
And since I'm prone to sticking my foot in my mouth every time I open it, I've decided (well actually my puppet master Karl Rove has demanded) I choose the most right-wing radical in the house of representatives as my VP.
As I'm sure you know by now the GOP and I thrive on the Doom and Gloom senario we present every day. Actually, I'm thinking of changing the party name to Chicken Little.
Pay no mind to all the accomplishments that pesky President Obama has achieved on his watch despite being handicapped by my party of No!
Yours Truly,
Myth Robme, Your snake-oil salesman!
Tom U are a complete PUT*Z. U want to go on with the administration that has increased debt by $5T in 3+ yrs,and u really think the BO health care is the solution? Who is going to pay for the increased coverage when it kicks in a yr? That's being too rational for u. u forgot this healthcare wasn't Bipartisan it was put thru without 1 REP voting for it and Pelosi said we will know what's in it when it is approved. i don't think it is the proper way to run a democracy. But what do i know? Just wait till after the election when the health care starts to kick in.
Friends, on a serious note about the election. Until yesterday it was about whether or not Romney paid his fair share in taxes, or how he conducted his business dealings. His choice of Paul Ryan changed all that. It is now about what the role of government should be in our lives. Our great-grandparents and grandparents, after suffering through the great depression made a commitment to America, AND EACH AND EVERY FUTURE GENERATION, that none of us in our older years would suffer as they did. What if we didn't have Social Security or Medicare for seniors in this last financial crisis? They have come through this economy better than any other demographic...the promise of a social safety network works. I DO NOT trust the banks to handle "privatized" social security! I DO NOT trust a voucher system to PRIVATIZE MEDICARE where the health insurance industry can wipe out your voucher and then wipe YOU out!. This country put 2 wars on a credit card to the tune of 3.5 trillion dollars! We are the wealthiest nation on this earth.Romney/Ryan will set our country back to a time when the most vulnerable among us, our seniors, were left to selling apples on a street corner. I'm moving foward with Obama/Biden.....I want future generations of Americans to be proud of us in this election...because we wouldn't rob them of their dignity when they become seniors!
@chazbean
Name calling is a sign of weakness and an inability to debate issues. I never said Obama is the solution. I said seniors will look at a guy who is known for his disdain of Medicare and vote the other way. You can scream and howl all you want, until the republicans put up a guy who is going to save the middle class and has an articulated plan...Obama will win the election.
As far as the debt, you can blame your buddy GWB for starting a useless war in Iraq and continuing a useless war in Afghanistan. I'm no Obama apologist, but we are burning thru 2 billion per day fighting these senseless (at this point) wars.
Just out of curiosity, what would the polls show if only those who had an actual income tax liability (with or without a refund) were allowed to vote?
In other words, no one who had a negative tax liability would be counted. My guess is that such a restriction would remove about 20% to 25% of the population from the poll sample.
So what, JIM? Just because we're sick, lame or lazy doesn't de-Americanize us or strip our rights away.
We may not all be the Hercules or decathlon gold medal winner anymore, but does that truly disqualify us for what we gave our all supporting during our healthy and vigorous decades??
Picking on us geezers seems not just cheap and selfish but dangerous too...when you're this close to the end, things matter in a different way, and we VOTE. Remember the third rail, hot shots!
Ryan wants to dismantle Medicare.
Ryan wants to dismantle Social Security.
Ryan wants more tax cuts for the top 2%. (Willard paid a tax rate of 13.9% in 2010. Isn't that low enough?)
Ryan wants to increase defense spending even though we're bleeding red ink and spend more on defense than the next ten nations combined.
Ryan wants to return to the Bush years and do the same exact things that got us into this ditch.
Romney and Ryan will never get within a thousand yards of the White House unless they're invited to go there.
The Party of No should forget about defeating the President this year and start looking ahead to 2016.
I spilled my drink when I read the post about the Romney/Ryan regime providing more choice! hahahaha
@JudgeRoyBean Lets see what choice would that be?
Abortion? No
Birth control? No
Affording your senior medical needs ? No
Joining a Union? No
Getting Health insurance with a pre-existing condition? No
Etc.. etc..
Some Choice!!
They are the anti Choice Restrictive Conservatives.. that is the definition of the word! if you want choice you are a progressive or liberal!
Get your terms straight!
Hey JOE, where you goin' with that gun in your hand? Oops, sorry, wrong Joe.
Not pickin' on anyone, just wondering. If I was going to disenfranchise anyone it be those who can't pass the same test that all naturalized citizens have to pass.
But I think you would admit, it is a positive feedback loop in some respects.
Thank you Willard for picking little Eddie Munster
for your V.P.
PRESIDENT OBAMA will sail to another victory.
THANK GOD.
Another wild-eyed teabagger.
WOW!!!
These republicans never learn.
Ryan's career as a Wisconsin representative makes a good case for term limits. Though the hypocrite promotes hate of our government, for over fourteen years Ryan has been first in line to suck on the govt teat. In other words, a typical republican.
This will be the first time in the last 70 years of presidential elections that none of the candidates (Obama, Romney, Biden or Ryan) has had any military service.
Bring the troops home. Ron Paul is right. We can't afford It nor can we police the world.
Comment removed by moderator. Tone it down.
If you are a cancer survivor and free and clear for 9 years...9 years with no sign of cancer, you are still considered "pre-existing" by the insurance industry and denied coverage. As far as I know Romney simply has no definitive plan to fix that travesty. There are literally 10's of millions of people who fall under these bogus "pre-existing" conditions. He's going to lose those votes.
I just don't see how Romney can win in November.
Tom.....
He can't win.
Normal Americans out-number the crazy teabaggers.
There goes the senior vote.
What happened to the normal Americans in the 2008 House race. I'm sure you don't know because they allow puppets like you to vote.
Here comes all the fear-mongering over SS and Medicare. Ryan's plan wouldn't affect anyone who's retired or who's about to retire. There would still be a public option and puts control in the hands of future retirees instead of the 15 unelected bureaucrats put in charge of Medicare cuts under Obama. The ADA already cuts $700 billion from Medicare but not a peep from the extreme left about that.
Besides, I never knew a vice president had so much power. Can anyone name some laws passed by Joe Biden? We'll see nothing but phony scare tactics and personal attacks from now until November, but in the end, it's all about the economy and JOBS. These $1.2 trillion deficits year after year need to end.
Oh, remember all that talk from Mitt Romney about how politicians should have private sector job experience before they go into public service?
Romney/Ryan Shrugged...
Tricky Mitt and detestable attack lap dog Ryan are a team of crooks made in hell who followed that act with a glass of Koch and Walker chaser. The influence was delivered when the money was accepted. Ryan has really put his head in the sand on this team. Connection with lobbyists, scammers, thieves and frauds like Bernard L. Madoff come to mind and having immersed themselves in the culture, there is clear guilt by association. Ethics and honesty are how you conduct yourself when no one is watching, not when the handwriting is on the wall or discovery of the chance of exposure. Donating blood money before or after receipt does not wash or absolve one of guilt. It is not particularly honorable for Paul Ryan to donate questionable donations only after a federal conviction or for Willard Mitt Romney to use blood money from families of dictators-turned investors who murdered more than 75,000 El Salvadorans to fund Romney's Bain Capital. Too much corruption and no accountability. Romney picked Ryan to divert people's attention away from his hidden loot offshore in tax haven countries and from not releasing his 23- year tax returns with ten years having paid zero taxes and amnesty for tax fraud by IRS for his Switzerland loot only. In this way, it will make Shady Mitt look better. Just because a rich person will eventually be sent to prison does not mean that he is bad; he just cannot help himself, it is his nature and you simply cannot change a snake. Once a snake, always a snake. Romney and Ryan are simply two corrupt peas in a pod. Having thrown a bone to the Attila the Hun branch of the GOP (Greedy Obstructionist Party), Shady Mitt had no choice but to pick a mirror of his own image in an attack lap dog like Paul Ryan. People like Paul Ryan who is an ardent supporter and defender of Tom DeLay for ANY reason should be taken in for a psychiatric evaluation. It seems like Tricky Mitt hired the same people McCain did to choose his VP.
At least Ryan will have a "future" after the Election..... On "Dancin' with the Has beens". Let us not forget his objection to the vampire authority and his devotion to Lilith. Both Romney and Ryan chose cash over ethics 24/7. Romney and Ryan are professional crooks. They corrupt our government for a living. How repugnant of Paul Ryan to drive a bus over grandma and her social security check, metaphorically speaking. Nip these two: Tricky Mitt and attack lap dog Ryan in the bud before it is too late. Everyone knows it takes about 20 years of preparation and ties to a group that's handy with election fraud to run for President! And I am not even talking about how somebody fixed/stole the Florida 2000 presidential election and swept it away from Gore. Beware of tampered Diebold voting machines, Voter I.D. laws, limitless billions of dollar donations and Tricky Mitt with 32 billionaire donors to his campaign of mass deception who is determined to buy the presidency at all costs.
The GOP just committed suicide!You don't win elections by alienating seniors by picking someone who wants to turn Medicare into a voucher system and privatize social security. Romney not only just lost Florida but cost the GOP the House and Senate as well!LOL
It's not just the retired or soon-to-be retired that Romney/Ryan will alienate, it's the youngest of the boomer generation, the ones in their 50's, that they will also alienate. Most have already worked at least 30 years and will not be happy to see all that they have put into the system go away.
The "Double R's" underestimate several generations of voters. The "Double R's" don't realize, us old and doddering fools in our 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and even 90's VOTE. Some may not be able to drive to the polls by themselves any more, but they will find a way there to VOTE. The "Double R's" also don't give these generations credit - we KNOW how badly in debt the country is in and it would be nice if BOTH parties can pack away their hate and do something for the country, instead of attacking each other. I think the word is "compromise" for the good of the country.
<<Nahhh... that will not happen... they are holding their collective breath hoping that first of the month trip to walmart is not taken away from them>>
Well Jeanine62 - when do YOU go to Walmart - Tuesdays? Wednesdays? Saturdays? After you stop at Goodwill and Savers?
Get off your high horse.
@Det_Munch: Read all the posts above yours and your answer is clear why there will be no compromise. Read especially some from oh lets say Teamster. Really don't see to much commentary like that from Repubs.
On another note, a comedian was asked how to campaign against the Dem machine and he came up with a good line.
Put Obama, Reid and Pelosi on a stage in front of all the people in the country and ask one question.
REALLY?
I heard this discussion at coffee this morning and by golly I think the coffee crew is right! I will summarize what the coffee crew was saying: Every time I think Romney is getting things together he goes and craps in his magic underwear! What does Romeny stand for? Well, it depends on what hour of the day you are talking to him! Also, Romney thinks the rules are different for him then for others! What arrogance! Do you know that according to AP News that Romney required Paul Ryan to provide "several years" of his tax returns in order to be vetted for the vice presidential slot? But in order to vet Mitt Romney for the presidential slot, he's only provided the public 1.5 years worth of tax returns! Forget about whether that guy Romney didn't even pay taxes for ten years, as is rumored, how could Romney think he could get away with asking Ryan for more tax returns than he himself is providing? Arrogance....that's what is is...just plain arrogance! Romney believes he is better then the rest of us! And only the little people need to release their taxes! If we want a Republican as President, then let's have a TRUE Republican President.....WRITE IN Ron Paul on the Presidential ballot! Ron Paul stand for responsible economic policies, strict interpretations of the Constitution, strong national sovereignty, and limited military involvement outside the United States. And Ron Paul never changes his story based on who he is talking to or what time of day it is.....something that guy Romney would never understand! If we are going to have a Republican as President, please make sure it is a TRUE, HONEST President! WRITE IN Ron Paul on the 2012 Presidential election ballot!
Economic histories from all over the world from the past 150 years shows that ryan's ideas are stupid and will only further destroy the middle class and expand poverty.
Just more proof that the repugnicans are the party of the 1% and only want more money and power.
The polls still strongly favor Obama. Usually the VP choice gives a bump. Doesn't seem so with Ryan.
I just don't see Romney winning. Republicans have to do better in getting their message thru. I think they also have to put forth an electable candidate.
For a person like me the pre existing condition excuse that health insurance companies use to deny health coverage is an important issue. It has got to be fixed. If a person is free and clear of cancer for 9+ years he cannot buy health insurance in the private market. That is simply a fact. Anyone telling me that is OK or offers no plan to fix that will lose my vote. I'm an independent moderate.
"only further destroy the middle class and expand poverty.".... Isn't that what they want, because everything that has happened in the last six years has led America in that direction.
According to Republican/libertarians Penn and Teller, exercise and diet may not have that much of an effect on life expectancy, genetics have more of any effect according to some researchers. Since for 3 generations Ryans have passed away in their 50's, Ryan does not have a health record to qualify him as vice president. A gene work up should be done on him at least.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPuBs_EPS...
Anyone wondering if Rafalca ( http://olympics.time.com/2012/08/02/rafa... ) Romney's failure ( http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/ann-... ) to win a medal in the Olympics has put her ( http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2...) life in danger? ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxBfukKmA...) It is a fact that Mitt's investments ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/08/111...) which underperform ( http://www.politico.com/news/stories/081... have a very good track record of survival ( http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2012/08/dum...).
I offer the following things to bring the spirit of the truth, the whole truth, nuthin but the truth:
Mitt Romney is a race (http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-10/ne... ) -baiting ( http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2012/...) hypocrite ( http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/08...) .
(Some of his great ( http://wonkette.com/480591/pathetic-lose...) friends (http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/newt... ) are pretty racist ( http://wonkette.com/480491/wsj-spews-bun...) .
Mitt Romney has a very sick ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/08/111...) sense of humor ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/09/111...) .
(Conservatives sure aren't laughing ( http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/0...) .)
Mitt Romney is a tax ( http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arch...) cheat/( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/09/111...) evader.
(But inquiring ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/10/111...) minds ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/10/111...) want to know if he is.)
Karl Rove ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/09/111...) and Dick Morris ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/08/111...) are full of you know what ( http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/09...) .
(Reuters, CNN and Fox News ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/t...) are the ones saying this.)
Mitt Romney is the Hamburglar ( http://www.time.com/time/specials/packag...) .
(Romney himself admitted it ( http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/201...) .)
Mitt Romney made a huge mistake (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4fbox_... ) in naming Paul Ryan ( http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/0...) as his running mate.
(Romney admitted this ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/11...) , too.)
Mitt Romney is reaping ( http://dailykos.com/story/2012/08/10/111...) what he sowed ( http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/08/rom...) .
(Actually, if anyone votes for Thurston Romney the 3rd and Eddie "Munster" Ryan after reading all of the above, they have rocks for brains.)
Romney/Ryan= The end of a middle class. The Mexican standard in America.