Posted on 08/11/2012 10:58:39 PM PDT by smoothsailing
August 11, 2012
Paul A. Rahe
In choosing Paul Ryan as his Vice-Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney has opted to go for broke, and he has indicated that he is a serious man -- less concerned with becoming President of the United States than with saving the country from the disaster in store for it if we not radically reverse course, willing to risk a loss for the sake of being able to win a mandate for reform.
I have been unsparing in my criticism of Romney's political record. I unsay not one word about that. If we were to judge him honestly by his conduct as a Senatorial candidate in Massachusetts and as that state's Governor, I believe that we would find him sadly wanting.
I have also consistently been of the opinion that, of the declared Republican presidential aspirants, Mitt Romney was the least unacceptable. In his private capacity, he is a man of excellent character; as a businessman, he was accomplished in the extreme; and, as a candidate, he consistently displayed the discipline required. There were others in the race who had good qualities, but they lacked one or more of the crucial qualities that Romney possesses.
I also hazarded a guess -- that current circumstances might make a genuine conservative of Mitt Romney, that his understanding of the fiscal crisis we face might very well force him to think more deeply about the moral roots of that fiscal crisis, which is to say, about the inner logic of the administrative entitlements state and the moral as well as the fiscal bankruptcy produced by that inner logic. I was accused of wishful thinking, and the accusation was just. For my wish was, indeed, father to the thought, but this does not mean that the thought was wrong.
Governor Romney's choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate suggests, in fact, that my suspicions were correct. For by making this choice, Mitt Romney is declaring war. There will be no evasion, no triangulation, no attempt to mask what is at stake in this election. Instead, Romney and Ryan will directly confront Barack Obama and call him to account for putting us on a ruinous course.
This will alter radically the dynamics of the race. The money spent by Obama trying to demonize Governor Romney will prove to be money entirely wasted. The election is not going to be about Mitt Romney. It is not going to be about the sexual revolution. It is not going to be about Bain Capital. It is going to be about the failed policies of Barack Obama, about their dangerous character, and about the sober, sound alternative the Republicans represent.
This will help the Republicans in Senate and House races immeasurably, for it will give Romney and Ryan coattails -- now, without a doubt, the candidates in these other races have something concrete on which to run: repeal Obamacare, pare back the entitlements state, reform our system of taxation, and put our fiscal house in order. No one will doubt the capacity of the Republicans to rule.
I have predicted that Romney will win by a landslide. The choice of Paul Ryan means that Romney has chosen the path that will maximize the significance of his victory and its impact on the races for seats in the House and Senate. As in 1980, this is going to be a national election -- in which local particularities count for much less than usual.
If you still have doubts, remember November, 2010.
Agreed.
Now let’s secure that senate.
DING DING DING DING DING DING DING.
Welcome since April 15. I have warned people that there are Obama operatives on this site and all the conservative sites engaging in what they do best -— sabotage and community organizing. Besides going after the undecideds, Obama operatives hope to convince conservatives that they cannot vote for Romney because he is just like Obama. They want conservatives to vote third party or stay home in protest. In swing states, perhaps it will make the difference.
Because of his failed record, Obama operatives need to hammer Romney on his supposed lack of character. Nicely done. You took it right out of the playbook. Which meeting did you attend for your training? Chicago? New York? Los Angeles?
Bite your tongue. All she did was congratulate him on his choice of Ryan. If that makes her a RINO, then everyone who thinks that Ryan is a good choice is also a RINO.
And before we get all gushy over Ryan and his conservative credentials, take a look at his actual budget plan. For all the demonizing the RATs have been doing on Ryan’s plan, he STILL proposes budget deficits as far as the eye can see and increased debt.
Who’s the RINO?
Apparently everybody.
Apparently everybody.
Apparently everybody.
We don’t have Romneycare in Washington state, and yet the cost escalations in healthcare year after year are killing us. My premiums have increased 400% (5 times) in 14 years. healthcare is becoming UNAFFORDABLE for us retirees. A drastic healthcare reform is urgently needed. If it means rationing, so be it.
Raisingcain’s real name must be David Axelrod.
“Raisingcain’s real name must be David Axelrod.”
And yours must be Karl Rove.
Palin's a RINO because she's pleased about the Ryan pick?
Palin's a RINO because she wants ABO in the White House?
America's choice in November will be between the frankly unreliable Romney and literal, hard-core Stalinism. That's your choice. It sucks, but that's it.
It's horrifying that so many FReepers are willing to give the rest of us another four years of Obama.
; )
I just posted this on twitter as @derised1: “I’m sorry to say but the GOP will lose the youth, women, minority & now senior votes (they hate #Ryan plan 4 Medicare). GOP = Whig Party?”
People I talk to in these groups (like teens) hate the GOP.
I don’t know how the GOP turns that around these days. Maybe get rid of the Karl Roves? - lol
I like Romney & Ryan but they don’t seem to have enough strong appeal or present much charisma to the masses. Just my opinion.
You’re insane if you’re for rationing!
It’s government interventions that have healthcare rising as fast as it is. We need to get the government out of healthcare, not increase their intrusion.
Between scumbag David Axelrod from Chicago & Karl Rove, The Architect......I much rather be Karl Rove.
Sure you would. That shill for Mittens and all that is unholy within the GOPe. Good job, you know your masters well.
Dude - you should have gone on Washington State’s Basic Health Plan. Similar to ObamaCare but voluntary not mandatory. My ex and I resisted at first but it saved us a ton of money for our kids medical & dental expenses.
Now WA state is no longer accepting new applicants - they put you now on a “waiting list” because our state is in a deficit. Ironic.
You make a crucial point, which is overlooked by many....that MA is one of the most liberal states in country and do they really expect a governor to function like a right wing conservative, never mind that Romney exercised 700 vetoes in 4 years.
And you are shilling for the radical socialist from Chicago by discouraging GOP voters to pull the lever for Mittens.
I once had HMO insurance and hated the restrictions. No government plan for me. I have PPO which gives me lot of freedom to choose doctors and health services. I love my insurance, just hate the cost going up much faster than my income.
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