Presented With Letters, Ryan Admits Requesting Stimulus Cash

Yahoo ^ | 8/18/12 | Gregory J. Krieg

[Mozilla]

After repeated denials, Paul Ryan has admitted he requested stimulus cash even after sharply criticizing the program.

As recently as Wednesday in Ohio, Mitt Romney's running mate told ABC's Cincinnati affiliate, WCPO, he did not.

"I never asked for stimulus," Ryan said. "I don't recall… so I really can't comment on it. I opposed the stimulus because it doesn't work, it didn't work."

Two years ago, during an interview on WBZ's NewsRadio he was asked by a caller if he "accepted any money" into his district. Ryan said he did not.

"I'm not one [of those] people who votes for something then writes to the government to ask them to send us money. I did not request any stimulus money," the congressman answered.

But as we've now learned, Ryan did write letters. He did request stimulus funds.

-snip-

In 2009, Ryan wrote to Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis asking for stimulus money to cover costs on two energy conservation projects in his home state of Wisconsin. In the letter, Ryan said the funds would help create jobs and reduce "energy consumption" in the state. At least one of the companies received the requested cash.

The letters were first obtained by The Wall Street Journal through the Freedom of Information Act back in early 2010. The Boston Globe turned them up for the first time during this campaign season Wednesday. At that point, a Ryan aide referred ABC News back to what a Ryan spokesman said when the letters first went public.

[Dallas59]

There’s no one else running? Wish it were 1980 again.

[xrmusn]

Well, we better start building the gallows.

After the Libs run him through the coals, the RINO’s will supply the rope.

I see where Romney “caved” and is offering the WH some returns.

[CyberAnt]

Where did you see that ..?? I’ve been on this website most of the day and I never saw it .. are you sure you’re not making this up to get people angry at Mitt ..??

[Jane Long]

I see where Romney “caved” and is offering the WH some returns.

Ugh...had not heard this. When did this happen?

[datura]

Care to provide a functional link to this? Tried them both, and went to Yahoo as well. Can’t find this story.

[UB355]

I see where Romney “caved” and is offering the WH some returns.

He did not although obama’s minions tried to goad him into providing 5 years of returns.

[bigbob]

So what? Nobody’s paying any attention. Non-issue.

[datura]

It hasn’t been reported anywhere else.

[CyberAnt]

I found the article: “Thanks for the note - but no thanks!”

Hmmmmm ..?? That doesn’t sound like Romney caved to me!

[muawiyah]

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/oxford/did-paul-ryan-ask-for-stimulus-funds ~ try this one for detail on the issue. Several sources named ~ some dealt with, some not.

[uncbob]

"After having these letters called to my attention I checked into them, and they were treated as constituent service requests in the same way matters involving Social Security or Veterans Affairs are handled," Ryan said in a statement. "This is why I didn't recall the letters earlier. But they should have been handled differently, and I take responsibility for that.

So what he is saying is that his office handled it under his name and he didn't know about it ?

[windsorknot]

Outrageous! I guess I’ll have to vote for the America-hating Marxist then.

[uncbob]

Outrageous! I guess I’ll have to vote for the America-hating Marxist then.

Ain't about what you are going to do but what the voters will perceive about Ryan

[Kleon]

It’s not a hard decision voting third party this election.

[windsorknot]

Then I guess that I’m a voter whose “perception of Ryan” is not effected by this asininity.

[liberty or death]

You really think a voter is going to run out and pull Obamas lever because of this? He's the architect of government waste as is the entire Democrat party now financed by the Global Socialist movement.

November 2012. F-ing Landslide back toward freedom. It won't be perfect but it will be a step in the right direction.

[BfloGuy]

Yeah, turns out Ryan isn't perfect. Just damn!

[uncbob]

Then I guess that I’m a voter whose “perception of Ryan” is not effected by this asininity.

Asininity ??? Come now if it was Biden who denied something and then letters showing he did were made public FREE REPUBLIC would be all over the issue

[Bob]

And, if he hadn't requested the funding, libs would be crucifying him for not having served his district's best interests.

I can hear it now: "How can someone who didn't try to get money for his district possibly consider himself qualified for VP when he was such a lousy congressman?"