Stanek weekend question: What do you think of Romney’s choice of Ryan as running mate?
The waiting is over. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate, as excellent a pro-life candidate as could be. Read Ryan’s voting record on pro-life issues here. (NARAL’s assessment is also a fun read.)
In a nutshell, Ryan’s rating at NARAL was 0% in 2011, and his rating at National Right to Life was 100% in 2011.
In 2010 Ryan penned, “The Cause of Life Can’t be Severed from the Cause of Freedom.” stating unequivocally that fiscal issues cannot be separated from social issues, as much as RINOs would like it to be. He publicly disagreed with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels that a “truce” should be called on social issues.
That said, fiscal conservatives love Ryan for his outspokenness and innovative ideas to solve the country’s economic crisis. As the Chicago Tribune noted this morning:
Conservative leaders, increasingly anxious over the state of Romney’s campaign, had urged him to pass over reliable – but not particularly inspiring – figures such as Ohio Senator Rob Portman and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, and instead go for Ryan.
The Wisconsin congressman is a favorite of the conservative Tea Party, an anti-tax, limited-government movement that helped Republicans take over the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
All that said, only 11% of you picked Ryan as your choice for Romney’s running mate.
So what are your thoughts on Romney’s decision?
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I am so excited to see how God moving. I think this is a great choice, but the battle is not over. We have to pray and fast and ask God to protect us from the thuggery of the man in the Whitehouse as we already know that he will do whatever it takes to get himself re-elected, i.e., sue the state of Ohio so that the military is no longer allowed a few more days to vote, black panthers, voting multiple times, and the list goes on.
He’ll be great! Good choice.
To be honest, when I voted in your poll, I didn’t research any of the potential VPs and just went with who I had heard of. Knowing more about Ryan now makes me very happy with Romney’s choice. It would be great to have a REAL Catholic VP! These 2 could start turning this country around….fiscally and morally. But I am still terrified by all those stubborn people who vote 3rd party and essentially help Obama win….plus all the corruption in voting that Anita mentioned. Time to pray.
Even though I picked Rubio, I feel Ryan is an awesome choice! I’m in a battle state (OH) and hope to get to see him at a rally in Cleveland (a liberal wasteland) to speak the Truth about what needs to be done to set America “right” again!!
… set America *RIGHT* (conservative) again … scare quotes not intended :)
YeeHAH!!! I can guarantee the US will function on a budget under Romney-Ryan.
My first pick was Jindal, but Ryan is a happy second.
This should really rile up the social justice crowd.
Love it.
Now if Cardinal Dolan could just disinvite the prez, I’d have an extraordinarily happy weekend.
Ryan was hands down the best person to be VP, and it makes me feel a whole let better about having to vote for Mitt Romney. I can’t wait to see the debates… Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan. It’s going to be pure comedy.
Paul Ryan is clearly the best choice to be Mitt’s running mate.
I was one of the 11% who chose Paul Ryan. ;)
Also, with all the seniors/retirees in FL, Mitt should be able to capture a win in that state too so I think a Mitt/Paul win is very possible.
LL
Oh! Mr. “Atlas Shrugged” Man!
What a coincidence!
Great choice!
I think Ryan was a very good pick for many reasons:
1) His [Ryan’s] excellent pro-life record;
2) His understanding of the problem of government over-spending;
3) He has plenty of political experience so he currently has the skills for the job, and yet, this new role as VP will set him up to be an even better Republican leader for years to come.
The timing is perfect.
I still hope Rick Santorum is given a prominent spot at the convention.
This is a great choice from several perspectives.
First, for pro-lifers, Paul Ryan is our guy and having him there to give advice to President Romney bodes well for our hopes to take back America for ourselves and to restore the right to life for the unborn. When it comes time for critical decisions on judicial appointments and other key assignments, Ryan will be there to give reasoned and principled advice.
Second, Ryan is a fiscal realist who understands the dynamics of the marketplace and what it takes to get us moving forward again.
Third, Ryan is a man of deep faith and is committed to faith in action, not just lip service to the principles of religious freedom and what it means for our country.
Fourth, Ryan stands in stark contrast to the flim flam man—Joe Biden.
Fifth, Ryan energizes and rallies tea party types and conservatives, the very people who supported Santorum and the other candidates who came up short, and I believe he will satisfy many of the expectations of the Ron Paul supporters as well.
Sixth, Ryan is a bridge builder who does not seek to muddy waters by returning insult for insult….instead he lifts the standard of discourse and is fundamentally a very decent human being.
Romney gets an ”A plus” for his first major decision as our candidate.
Prayer answered! The best thing I’ve heard in a long time!
I’m sure the guy who wants to kill Medicare will go over really well in Florida.
Tina, I was thinking the same thing: FINALLY, a REAL CATHOLIC VP! (funny how that rhymes with “Real Catholic TV”)
mp,
your information is dated.
http://peterseanesq.blogspot.com/2012/04/give-me-thomas-aquinas.html
mp,
your information is dated.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Let’s roll the tape!
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/04/audio-surfaces-paul-ryans-effusive-love-ayn-rand/51711/
While Ryan will energize the pro-life base, who, most likely, would be voting for Romney anyway, he will alienate the pro-choice Philly suburbs which are not militantly Catholic (if Catholic) and who are key parts of the Pennsylvania electorate. His belief that we should end Medicare as we know it will really help in Florida – not. While “real” Church attending, 14th century Catholics love him, they only represent 20% of self identified Catholics. Meanwhile, Obama has edged ahead of Romney with Catholics. We’ll see if this Catholic pander works. If the election hinges on the “independents,” past elections have shown that this small group is not overwhelmingly ideological. Ryan is ideology on steroids. As I said, we’ll see.
CC/joan,
Do your research. Ryan has not tried to end Medicare, but save it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPxMZ1WdINs
mp,
Is Ayn Rand a Nazi clone created in Brazil? If she isn’t, then what’s the big deal if Ryan admires her or not? Also, please explain your fixation on her book Atlas Shrugged and why you view this as a Koch brothers supported manifesto for world conquest.
Do you know what “dated” means, mp? Perhaps you should look it up. His position has changed since then (as has mine. I myself used to be a fan of Rand). There’s nothing wrong starting with a common sense premise and tempering it with compassionate rationality over the years. You should try it sometime.
Behold: compassionate rationality.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EdlnYJzRrE0/T5NyKGYuIPI/AAAAAAAAARM/u9Fr9UAuJlU/s1600/4-12-12tax.jpg
”If she isn’t, then what’s the big deal if Ryan admires her or not?”
Her atheistic views are not popular with the Catholic Church. According to the Catholic Education Resource Center she is “an architect of the culture of death.”
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0014.htm
So if Ryan walked back his early admiration for her, that’s why. Otherwise, the cognitive dissonance between his being a proponent of the culture of life and what his church says about Ayn Rand might be a bit tricky?
His position has changed since then (as has mine. I myself used to be a fan of Rand).
I’m glad you grew up.
mp/CC/Joan
Thanks for bringing this topic up. (Big Gigantic Smiley Yellow Circle)
Who has been more responsible, Ayn Rand or The Barack, for killing unborn human beings? Let us discuss this. This is great.
I am sure The Barack is going to come out smelling like roses – don’t worry mp/CC/Joan – let’s discuss this.
Who has been more responsible, Ayn Rand or The Barack, for killing unborn human beings? Let us discuss this. This is great.
You’ve made no attempt to actually read what I’ve written here. You hear what you want to hear; you see what you want to see.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden are just as corrupt as Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.
You, sir, are a fool.
Our little trolls are scurrying about trying to diss Ryan. What a pathetic way to live…always seeking to dredge up lies and distortions in an attempt to discredit someone.
Grow up, trolls! Get used to seeing President Romney and vice-president Ryan for the next 8 years.
I saw a headline on Drudge today that read “MEDIA COMPLAINS ABOUT RYAN’S LACK OF PRIVATE-SECTOR EXPERIENCE…” and nearly fell over laughing. If that’s a problem for Ryan than it’s a four-times worse one for Obama, who has never held a private-sector job in his life. And Ryan is paired with Romney, who–for all his flaws and they are many–made his money in the private sector and knows exactly how that works. Where as Obama is paired with Biden, who has also never worked in the private sector and is an idiot. I think these folks need to spend some more time warming up their critiques.
“Who has been more responsible, Ayn Rand or The Barack, for killing unborn human beings?”
As Ryan seems to have distanced himself from Rand, the topic is irrelevant. And President Obama, like so many of us, supports a woman’s right to choose which was determined by the SCOTUS and not Barack Obama who really has nothing to do with abortion other than supporting abortion rights.
joan 2:29pm
We were discussing Medicare and Ryan’s plan to “end” it.
Get used to seeing President Romney and vice-president Ryan for the next 8 years.
I sincerely hope so, but doubt it will happen.
Figure that out.
“Who has been more responsible, Ayn Rand or The Barack, for killing unborn human beings? Let us discuss this. This is great.”
Ayn Rand on abortion? Well, let’s see:
http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/abortion.html
One of the very few topics that she had even remotely reasonable thoughts on, apparently.
And while you lifers are shouting hosannas in the highest, the reality is that congress makes the laws. The Senate, even it goes Republican, will still not be filibuster proof – ergo, four more years of partisan gridlock at which point Hillary Clinton will be our next president and you guys will be going into coronary arrest.
mp/CC/Joan
Let’s see is there any difference between a person who thought it was legitimate to kill a child born alive, and a woman who supported abortion? Between a man who views his future grandchildren as punishment for his daughters’ sexual irresponsibility and a woman who supported Roe v. Wade?
But I guess you don’t hate Ayn Rand’s pro-abortion stance – it must be her support for limited government. Just when I thought the three of you were having a change of heart.
CC 2:54PM
Since I can agree with and respect people who don’t always share my views then no, I see no issue with his admiration(?) of Rand. Perhaps the more he learned the less he liked. Not uncommon to change our opinions of people. For instance, my respect for Cardinal Dolan has gone down the toilet since reading of his efforts to schmooze Obama.
Whatever, certainly a complete non issue as far as I’m concerned.
“One of the very few topics that she had even remotely reasonable thoughts on, apparently”
Priceless! Wonder if the tea drinkers know that inconvenient truth!
What a waste. He’s needed right where he is, gaining seniority. Now he’ll have no job at all.
However…
There is no chance that I will be missing the veep debates. Romney can handle Obama fine in the pres candidate debates — but to watch Ryan thrash Biden…
Good grief. Whoever’ll be coaching Biden is going to actually build under-developed muscles with all the face-palming they’ll be doing.
I would pay good money for ringside.
Hi Alice,
Indeed that is absolutely laughable. Not that the media has double standards, nooooo.
The Ryan pick will present quite the quandary for the bishops. While they obviously support the GOP (“non-negotiables” and all that), they did object to his budget bill. But he is pro-life. While pro-life Catholics love him, social justice Catholics (including the nuns who refuse to be bullied by the Vatican) don’t. Looks like his pick has further polarized Catholics. Interesting….
While I am no fan of Sarah Palin, I’ll say this – as far as inspiring the base, Paul Ryan is no Sarah Palin. And if she couldn’t get er done, neither will he.
mp/CC/Joan
The disgusting views of Ayn Rand share something in common with the disgusting views of The Barackinator: Ayn Rand’s disgusting views involved relegating certain groups of human beings as “non-persons.”
CC,
Soon there will no light between social justice Catholics and pro-life Catholics thanks to The Barackinator’s denial of religious freedom.
The Republican Party can know spend a part of its time awakening the pro-life conscience of the American Public, and especially the pro-life conscience of the social justice crowd.
The Republican Party will welcome the Blue Dogs. The Blue Dogs are generally results oriented bunch. The Republican Party can show this Blue Dogs that the best way to achieve social justice for the poor in America and around the world is by making America prosperous, by embracing the free market system.
if the trolls are in a tizzy, it must be a good day!
CC: “social justice Catholics (including the nuns who refuse to be bullied by the Vatican) don’t.”
Then social justice Catholics need to get an education.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho95vcVeFf0
Democrats just hate people. I’ve never understood why.
His position has changed since then (as has mine. I myself used to be a fan of Rand).
I’m glad you grew up.
Yes. When I found out her absolutely barbaric ideas about killing children in utero, I didn’t really care to hear anything else from her.
Maybe one day, you’ll grow up, too.
TIME FOR SOME R & R!!!
I can see November from WI!!!
YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
If the proaborts are in a tizzy the choice for VP was the right one!!
I really don’t know all that much about Paul Ryan, but from what I’ve seen he looks like a good pick. At the very least, I find his NARAL and National Right to Life scores very reassuring.
CC, the 20 or so Nuns on the Bus don’t speak for all women anymore than you do.
Okay what is it people like or don’t like about Rand?
She was an atheist? Well so was David Hume, so what?
She was pro choice? Well that doesn’t mean you necessarily agree with her opinion.
What else? What is it people do and don’t like about Rand’s ideas?
Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan for his running mate does not make b o and and ‘chicken and biscuits’, Joe Biden don’t look any less pathetic.
I don’t see Ryan’s presence on the GOP presidential ticket doing anything to motivate independents to rush to the polls and pull the lever for democRATs.
It does give republicans, conservatives and pro-lifers a reason to go to the polls or mail in an absentee ballot.
Ryan has way more experience than the obamateur and way more sense than ‘ole black joe’ Biden.
Correct me if I’m mistaken again, but Ayn Rand is dead and therefore not running for any office.
But I am sure there are lots of dead democRATs who would vote for the rotting corpse of Ayn Rand if there were a ’D’ beside her name.
Heck, I bet you can find Rand’s name on the active voter rolls in Chicago and she is registered as a democRAT.
What state was it where there were more votes cast for a democRAT governor, than there were registered voters?
On yeah. It was where HAL lives. Washington State.
That’s taking it to a new level.
Votes cast by people who do not yet exist.
I believe that every vote should count, but I also believe every vote should count for a real living person.
One person who is legally eligible, one vote.
Awww, and to think that the “nuns on the bus” did all that galavanting for nothing. I guess they’ll hit George Soros up for another few grand and do the same thing all over again!
On a serious note, I am pleased with this pick.
Perhaps we’ll get some adults in the Oval Office again, responsible thinkers who don’t believe money grows on trees. And who don’t believe in birth magic to transform a piece of tissue into a human being (such basic science and elementary morality isn’t above the president’s pay grade).
Of course, there are a lot more responsible rulers to get into Congress (or irresponsible ones to get out). And not even Paul Ryan, with their help, will do (can) enough to save the US from its dire future.
I was one of the 11% who picked Ryan, just the other day. (I guess that poll must’ve been in my blind spot.) The question to me was who was most needed to stay in Congress. We need Rubio’s rising star to remain in the Senate.
I figured Ryan could still lead the charge on the economy as vp. The days of the vp being just a potted plant are gone. He’ll head a task force to outline the plan for overhaul, plus he’ll be terrific selling it. Think Biden minus the gaffes and snide demagoguery.
Romney / Ryan rolls off the tongue almost as well as Romney / Rubio, And it’s still the best lookin’ ticket in modern times. That can’t hurt. ;)
Did you wonder why Obama was so insufferably rude to Ryan, inviiting him to that press conference and publicly ridiculing his economic plan? (Why should we have been surprised? He did the same to the Supreme Court at a State of the Union Address.) Well, Drudge reminded us why, when Paul Ryan summarized the disaster that is Obamacare at that “transparent” meeting Obama was finally shamed into holding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPxMZ1WdINs
Dear trolls, most people who like Ayn Rand’s writings do so because she warns that ever increasing government squelches the human spirit, not because they love the facts that Rand was a proabortion anarchist. Kind of like how you guy worship and adore Obama because he loves supporting baby killing, not because he’s he’s an economic illiterate who has no business being a floor manager at TGI Friday’s let alone chief executive of the USA.
Hi Hans,
Insufferable rudeness is exactly what to expect from Obama. First of all it was obvious Paul Ryan was waaaay over Obama’s head when it came to facts, figures, and knowledge of Obamacare. But most of all, the congressmen and senators had the temerity to even question Obama. That is what had him in a seething, but controlled rage. I remember thinking this guy has all he can do not to explode. I remember watching, and he began addressing the congressmen and senators by their first names. This was meant to be disrespectful and put them in their places.
A personality like Obama does not graciously accept criticism or “defiance” and will respond with anger, petulence, belittlement, vengence, and rudeness, and when the situation permits, explosive rage. That would explain his rudeness to the Supreme Court who had the temerity to make a ruling not to his liking. Nor will he back down. A well intentioned move by Ryan and the others but sadly a complete waste of time.
Dear trolls, most people who like Ayn Rand’s writings do so because she warns that ever increasing government squelches the human spirit, not because they love the facts that Rand was a proabortion anarchist.
Dear Mr. Lewandowski:
Are you a “producer” or a “parasite.”
Do you worship Money or the Sky Daddy?
Ayn Rand would want to know.
And BTW, George W Bush was your guy after evil pro-choice Clinton. Other than reinstating the global gag rule, what changed in your world with his pro-life presidency? Other than reinstating the global gag rule, what do you expect will change in a Romney presidency vis-a-vis the life issue?
CC,
Under a Romney/Ryan adminstration the bureaucratic HHS health board that oversees policy decisions would NOT fund Planned Parenthood or any other abortions. Obamacare actually makes the pro-life vote all the more important because now the government is getting involved in overseeing “family reduction services” for the citizenry
Mary,
It may take years, but eventually most will come to realize that when it comes down to downright meaness, no president holds a candle to Obama, Nixon has that reputation now, but he was a piker in comparison.
Obama had a “hit list” too, The cover-ups are worse than Watergate, where no one died. Crony favoritism is unparalleled. Many from both sides are noting this is the most negative campaign waged by an incumbent. But of course he’s got nothing positive to run on.
He’s the least presidential president I’ve seen.
Lol, Ayn Rand. I only got like a quarter of the way through Atlas Shrugged before I realized that my attention span is way, way too short for her writing style. I’m not fond of Objectivism, for the most part, though.
I don’t know much about Ryan. I don’t like Rubio though, I am glad he didn’t get picked.
mp, yeah, you’re right. It’s impossible to like Ayn Rand’s novels and her argument about big government crushing the people without being in complete agreement with EVERYTHING she said. In that same vein, it is therefore impossible to be a fan of The Lord of the Rings without being a devout Catholic, and it’s impossible to be a fan of Hunter S. Thompson without blowing your own head off.
Just thought of a great additional aspect of the Ryan pick.
Obama’s been in full campaign mode — barely “running the country” as they say — for so long already he’s set several records. But think, now that the guy who schooled ‘is dumb ass in his own White House for all the world to see — think, I say, how obsessed he’ll be from here on out with how to deal with this dire threat to his station, his transformative vision for the country. Which is to say, a guy who rarely has cabinet meetings or does much else of late, will be doing even less as President. That’s a great thing!
A narcissist who was put down realizing he could lose because, in part, of the guy who schooled him.
I wonder if Obama is a genuinely dangerous enemy to make.
I just heard about this Ryan guy through Twitter trends yesterday and did a few quick Google searches on him. The rampant allegations of Objectivism were worrying, though I guess he says his Catholic values take precedence over all regard for Ayn Rand. (Honestly, I wouldn’t want to elect a public servant who truly believed the whole virtue-of-selfishness thing.) Guess I don’t yet have enough data to form a conclusion about those matters.
But to quote my dear mother’s reaction to the announcement, “If Planned Parenthood hates him, he must be doing something right! :D”
If the frequency of getting the pleasure to see Ryan absolutely destroy the liberal opposition on economic issues, by using facts, logic, and class, increases, then it may be acceptable to share him after all. You go Ryan!
raquel,
Yes Obama is a genuinely dangerous person to make as an enemy, any sociopath/narcissist is. As I have pointed out, and was backed up by Dick Morris, the closer he comes to losing power, and should he eventually lose power, the more dangerous and destructive Obama will get. This is very, very personal to Obama, and there will be a price to pay. We have much to fear.
Ryan dared challenge and question him, and made Obama look foolish. I assure you that Obama has neither forgiven or forgotten.
Hi rasqual,
Please excuse the mispelling of you name! I just noticed it and apologize. I did not intend that as a mockery of you or what you had to say.
Raquel is a good name. ;-)
Violet: “The rampant allegations of Objectivism were worrying, though I guess he says his Catholic values take precedence over all regard for Ayn Rand.”
I wouldn’t worry about it in the least. What Ryan has actually said about Rand indicates that the scope of his interest is narrow. His political enemies will exaggerate that a lot — which may be something to worry about, but on the other hand if this leads curious people to read Atlas Shrugged they’ll observe that the whole Galt strike is precisely antithetical to Obama’s and Warren’s recent controversial remarks on the debt the productive class owes to a government which engenders dependency on itself from others (the government eats productive capitalists, and then disgorges warm meals for the unproductive classes). Whether anyone likes Rand’s version of rational self-interest and capitalism or not, her material could catalyze a good debate on the ideological divide between individualism and government-brokered collectivism. I don’t think Obama’s fans would be wise to take us there, but to the extent they’re unself-controlled Ryan lynch mobs in coming weeks, they just might do that favor to Romney.
For the purposes of this board, note that Rand was not pro-life. Ryan most certainly, 100% is. And his remarks about his Thomistic epistemology are ridiculously refreshing to hear. The guy can do math on federal spending, which is itself rare. I have little doubt that when he speaks of a Thomistic epistemology, he means it and knows what he’s saying. To have a guy who’s self-aware on that issue as a veep candidate who happens to be the anti-Obama ideologically, is certainly refreshing.
I’ve said I think it’s as waste of Ryan to have him in this spot. I still think so; I believe Romney could have won without Ryan, and Ryan’s more valuable elsewhere. But now that the choice is made, it’s true that the Romney ticket is HUGELY attractive. My argument was just that Romney could win without a huge margin.
But there’s not just the quantitative, there’s the qualitative. The national debate will be entirely different with Ryan on board, than it would have been with about anyone else. And in a good way. So though I sigh that the Congress loses a fine guy in a fine position with great seniority, I’m pretty excited about the election season, for sure.
Oct 11 veep debates, Martha Raddatz moderating.