Posted on 05/14/2008 4:04:43 PM PDT by SJackson
Janesville Congressman Paul Ryan continues to attract serious attention as a prospective Republican nominee for vice president. And rightly so.
One need not agree with Ryan's sincere-if-frequently-myopic conservatism to recognize the strengths he would bring to John McCain's ticket.
Where McCain is ancient -- older than Ronald Reagan or Dwight Eisenhower when they attained the presidency -- and looks it, Ryan is so fresh-faced, upbeat and energetic that he sometimes seems a good deal younger than his 38 years.
At that age, the Wisconsin Republican is almost young enough to be not McCain's son but the Arizona senator's grandson.
Yet Ryan is, by most reasonable measures, more experienced than McCain when it comes to dealing with domestic economic, tax and budget issues.
While the presumptive presidential nominee has freely admitted that he has little knowledge of -- or interest in -- fiscal affairs, Ryan knows his way around the balance sheets better than just about any Republican in the Capitol. As a key player for the better part of a decade in budget debates, he was a heavy-lifting member of the House Ways and Means Committee when Republicans were in charge of the chamber. And the congressman is still taken seriously now that the Democrats are in charge.
Ryan is not bragging when he explains that "where my aptitude is is in the area of economics."
The Wisconsinite's serious focus on budget fundamentals is not the only thing that inspires confidence among his fellow Republicans.
Where McCain is a maverick who conservatives suspect of being soft, Ryan's hard to the right on every issue -- so steady in his social and economic conservatism that he makes Ronald Reagan look like a wavering ideologue.
Yet, while McCain's got a mean streak that even his carefully choreographed campaign cannot hide, Ryan is a charmer. Raised Wisconsin-nice, he does not allow partisan or ideological differences to turn personal -- so much so that he once showed up at a Madison fundraising event for his former colleague and friend Tom Barrett, who was running for the Democratic nomination for governor at the time and eventually became mayor of Milwaukee.
That's not the end of what makes Ryan an attractive ticket mate for McCain. As U.S. Rep. Phil Ensign, who serves with the Wisconsin congressman on the Ways and Means Committee, says, "Paul is Catholic, from the Rust Belt, and has the economic credentials Sen. McCain needs."
As John Gizzi, the authoritative political writer for the conservative publication Human Events -- Reagan's favorite ideological journal -- notes, Ensign's sentiments are not isolated. "Other Republican back benchers agree, and talk of Ryan-for-veep mushrooms in the House GOP conference," argues Gizzi.
Does this mean that Ryan's likely to end up as McCain's running mate?
The Wisconsinite remains a long shot.
Despite his freewheeling reputation, McCain is actually an exceptionally cautious, old-school player -- more a Bob Dole than a Newt Gingrich. He's not inclined toward out-of-the-box thinking. And Ryan -- an unknown outside Wisconsin and a few blocks from Capitol Hill in Washington -- would require the sort of leap that might be beyond McCain's skill set.
Yet the prospect of balancing a 2008 GOP ticket led by one of the oldest and crankiest presidential contenders in the history of the republic with an attractive and experienced 30-something congressman from a swing state is hardly a radical one. In fact, it makes sufficient sense that wise Democrats will be hoping that this whole notion of forging a McCain-Ryan ticket remains a conservative pipe dream.
Did hell just freeze over? No? Then I’m quite sure it’s not yet time for Republicans to start taking advice from a malicious hard-core socialist like Nichols....
This is an interesting idea, and one that never occured to me. If the drive-by media isn’t able to do the Dan Quayle treatment on him, he could be a good choice.
Good point, but Paul Ryan as VP is an interesting idea. Nicholas may be plugging his home state more than anything else.
Why does Bush/Quayle spring immediately to mind, here? I don’t know much about Ryan, but he’d better be an exemplary speller and public speaker, if he’s to be on the ticket.
Who the hell is “Phil Ensign” ?
I don’t know Ryan, but Nichols and the Capital Times are as far left as you can get so I don’t think McCain will be taking their advice. Interesting to see what the Congressman is about from those who do know him, and I’m sure will show up.
Who is the Republican that John Nichols likes?
The left picked our Presidential nominee and now they are trying to pick our VP?
I think that someone THAT young is a terrible idea--as it only serves to HIGHLIGHT and put even more focus on how old McCain really is!
Besides, McCain is going to have to choose a Governor. I would prefer if McCain chooses Mike Rounds of SD. He's only 53, young and is conservative enough but appeals to the mainstream. If he chooses Rounds, or Sanford, then yeah, I'd vote for McCain, although I'll still need several shots of Jack's.
Frank Lautenberg’s age doesn’t seem to bother the left...
I cannot disagree with the title of this piece, but The VP to McCain means nothing.
Getting rid of RINOs is all I care about.
I won’t vote for Mccain no matter who he puts on the ticket. If it is a true conservative, I might vote if McCain switches places on the ticket.
I have no idea. Could be Phil English of Pennsylvania.
Barry thanks you for you half vote. Honestly, if you look at McCain, and you look at Obama, and can't decide which would be better for the nation, it's best you stay home. Or vote for a non-entity.
Mike Rounds is an interesting idea, but South Dakota is not a swing state or one with a lot of electoral votes. Also, some conservatives are irked at him for not running against Tim Johnson.
“Frank Lautenberg’s age doesn’t seem to bother the left...”
Not until it suits them to bring it up.
BTW, I read that Nelson Mandela took up the Presidency of South Africa when he was 76 and ruled for 5 years. Is anyone on the left saying he wasn’t fit for office at his age? Thought not.
Still, he sounds really good. McCain would do well to pick an energetic conservative. I like this Ryan fellow.
And neither Byrd nor Murtha have announced their retirement.
Nichols may be plugging his home state, but I’ll bet he’s also dreaming of this as a way to neuter criticisms of Obambi’s “youth and inexperience” — The Rs need a VP candidate who completes the contrast of R. experience to Obambi’s inexperience and IGNORANCE. Then, even if the Democrats choose some heavyweight (relatively speaking for the Demagogues) for the VP nomination, it only serves to remind voters yet again that Obama is someone who has never done anything of significance except run for office. He did zilch in the Illinois legislature, and then practically the day after getting sworn in as US Senator he started working on his run for the Presidency. He is an empty suit and the Rs really need to highlight his lack of sustained experience. Besides, McCain really needs a Governor to fill out his one weaker area, his own lack of executive experience.
Thanks for your pragmatic advice, I will vote for a conservative non-entity.
Since you suggested it, I assume I will have your approval.
By the time of our convention, it won’t matter who McCain picks.
Every day he pushes conservatives further away.
The three recent GOP losses should send the RINO’s a wakeup call, but won’t.
McCain and the GOP have no policy that excites conservatives. The dems are smart, repubs are running as liberals in conservative districts and the dems are running conservative dems.
I think in November it will be hard for Conservatives to cross over and vote for McCain.
I've no problem with third party voters who can't distinguish between the candidates or stay at homes. In fact I've not problem with Obama voters, they're wrong, but they've taken a stand of electoral significance which can be engaged.
Jindal? Too young by contrast?
Whatever, the world is all looking for you approval. I feel better now, maybe I will vote for Ralph Nader.
Hey, if voting for Juan trips your trigger, do so. I will vote for whomever I choose also.
Cross over from where? The DNC? Some people will simply stay home, the choices being the same to them. If it's """conservatives""", as I noted to the stay at homes in 2006, the GOP will move more to the left because """conservatives""" don't show up and vote. Like the college kids, lots of talk, but nothing there .
I’ve been very impressed by Jindal, but he too just barely got into office and needs time to actually accomplish some things. He’s already head and shoulders about Obama, but it’s probably still too soon. I suppose the Rs could decide that trying to block Obama due to lack of experience simply won’t work in our shallow liberal TV culture, in which case they might as well go for their best “young” and photogenic VP nominee. From what I’ve read about Jindal he seems far superior to Obama on every count, but I can’t say I know enough......
How about Arlen Specter for VP?
It would be cool if the GOP could get an under-40 running mate for McCain, but like you said we'd want someone so unquestionably experienced and ready to lead that the media couldn't Dan Quayle-ize him.
Mike Pence might truly be a better choice if McCain is to pick a Republican from the U.S. House of Representatives to be his final VP choice. I still see McCain picking someone much more moderate such as either Charlie Crist, Mitt Romney, or Tim Pawlenty as his final choice for VP.
Nor Robert Byrd’s...
..how about Marsha Blackburn?
Matt Blunt would fit the bill nicely. A governor from a swing state, a record of achievement, executive experience - and under 40.
His vids are good, he's very articulate, and a retired Army LtC.
He's running for a seat from FL in the Congressional cesspool and even a victory there would seem a waste of this kind of integrity.
Thanks to FReeper Ooh-Ah for posting the original thread where I learned about this patriot.
Anyway, here's a pic of the man and his family:
(click it for his website)
. . . and a few links to some stump speeches:
Strategic Observations of World Affairs (Part 1)
Blunt looks great on paper, but I heard he’s retiring because of some scandal and was losing to the Dem in polls about a re-election bid. My short list for candidates I hope McCain considers for veep remains as follows:
Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minnesota)
Gov. Don Carcieri (R-Rhode Island)
Gov. Mark Sanford (R-South Carolina)
Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-Washington State)
Rep. Thelma Drake or Eric Cantor (R-Virigina)
Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey)
Rep. Candice Miller (R-Michigan)
Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado)
Former Rep. Gary Franks (R-Conn.)
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Oregon)
Sec. of Education Margaret Spelling (R-Texas)
Too young.
Tim Pawlenty should be at the top of his list.
Conservatives vote for Conservatives. For a Conservative to vote for a Socialist Republican is a cross vote.
My hope is if the Republican National Socialist Party, aka RNC, doesn’t move to the right and this includes McStupid, then all Conservatives should ONLY vote for Conservatives in local elections and not vote for any RNSC aka RINO on the ballet.
There will be only the GOP leaders to blame.
He is a member of Woodale Church, the largest Evangelical Church in Minnesota.
Accordingto Wikipedia: "...By 2006, attendance was averaging 5,000 per week, including the state's Governor Tim Pawlenty. Following the resignation of Reverend Ted Haggard as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, Pastor [Lieith] Anderson was appointed as interim president of the organization which represents 30 million Christians.
Governor Pawlenty is co-chair of the McCain campaign and stayed loyal and upbeat when McCain faltered under the Limbaugh crusade against amnesty for illegals.
The above makes most sense to me; however, I am not an unbiased person.
Message to McCain: "I'm not Obama" may not be enough at this point.
I don't understand that, but if you see no difference, vote your heart, go Obama go!
Thanks, detracters aside, the GOP really does have a number of people out there, many of them young and I can’t say I have a strong opinion. I admit Enchante is probably right about Jindal, though experience is relative this time around.
It would win over many of us who remain deeply suspicious of Senator McCain.
Also, there is strong sentiment to put a "minority" in high office, and someone of (East) Indian lineage would be a choice out of the blue and would alienate neither blacks nor Hispanics.
There's quite a bit to recommend this young conservative governor.
There is not much that can help McCain in my view, no matter how young and chirpy the VP is. McCain is in trouble and, as Novak says, he doesn’t even know it. I know I won’t vote for him no matter what. Better an Obama liberal disaster than a Republican liberal disaster.
“Nichols and the Capital Times are as far left as you can get so I don’t think McCain will be taking their advice.”
Why not?
“Honestly, if you look at McCain, and you look at Obama, and can’t decide which would be better for the nation, it’s best you stay home. Or vote for a non-entity.”
Either would be unmittigated disasters for this nation, albeit in different ways.
You're right about experience not being a campaign issue the dems can raise. I admit that as one who's not enamored of McCain, but can easily tell who's best for the country in a McCain/Obama matchup, I'm motivated by the fact that Jindal is the type of conservative Republican I'd like to see moving to a higher level withing the party. As are several of the others mentioned.
Of course if we could all stay home, they can go the way of Santorum and Allen :<(.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.