Report: Paul Ryan Being Vetted For VP
National Review’s Robert Costa reports that Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan is among those being officially vetted by the Romney campaign for the running mate position:
I’m reliably informed that Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Budget Committee chairman, has submitted paperwork to the Romney campaign. Sources confirm that he is being vetted for the vice-presidential nomination.
Ryan, one of the GOP’s brightest young stars, is clearly a favorite of Romney allies. But some top Republican officials are wary of plucking him from the House, where he is the party’s most influential voice on fiscal issues.
Earlier this week, Romney campaigned with Ryan in Janesville, Wis., Ryan’s hometown. Ryan previously stumped for Romney in late March and early April, ahead of Wisconsin’s Republican presidential primary.
Given Ryan’s popularity among the Republican base, it’s not surprising that the Romney campaign would let it leak that they are considering him. At the same time, though, Ryan’s association with a budget that isn’t necessarily popular among the independent voters that Romney will need to attract in swing states is an argument for not selecting him. Additionally, its worth noting that sitting Members of Congress don’t ordinarily get put on national tickets. The last time it happened was when Walter Mondale selected Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, before that it had not happened since Barry Goldwater had selected New York Congressman Bill Miller in 1964. Before that, a Congressman had not been on a national ticket since William Howard Taft selected New York Congressman James Sherman in 1908. So, is it possible Romney will choose Ryan? Yes, but it’s not likely.
Ryan is way too valuable in congress to be selected. Yes, he’s young, dynamic, and popular, but seeing as Romney’s election isn’t a sure thing, while the chance of the GOP retaining the house is, it would make far more sense for him to remain there, especially with more gridlock on the horizon.
Pleeeeeeeze, Oh Pulleeeeeeeeeeze……..
That ticket would define the GOP to a tee. Nobody could miss it.
Goldwater/Miller was 1964.
Well, it’s also possible this is yet another one of those “fake but accurate” reports so common to the loopy media. This Robert Costa fellow might be pulling this story out of his own arse.
In any event, it’s difficult to conceive that Team Romney would be short sighted enough actually to put Ryan on the ticket. Then again, when you factor in some of the numbingly horrible GOP veep choices over the years perhaps it’s not so far fetched.
I have no doubts that they are vetting Ryan, if for no other reason than to pay him the respect that many in that party feel he deserves.
I doubt they would put him on the ticket because he would bring to the table a detailed plan – one that many in his party see as their blueprint for conservative governance – while what Romney wants and needs is fuzziness, ambiguity and room to flip and to flop.
Why not Paul Ryan on the ticket?
It makes it perfectly clear that the choice is between Obama and a Republican future that leads to beginning the privatization of Medicare and possibly Social Security, cutting Medicaid, all while reducing the the top tax bracket rate from 34% to 25%, increasing defense spending, and all the while not reducing the deficit.
Why not make the electoral choices perfectly clear?
Fixed that for you….
@Clark:
Ugh yes it was. Fixed
Never happen. As Budgie said, Ryan’s way too valuable — and powerful — right where he is. To take him from that and make him into Joe Biden’s successor would be a very bad move.
The image of the two of them standing there is pretty striking.
Maybe I’ve worked in too many publicly owned corporations and witnessed senior level mismanagement in action too many times to feel that being a businessman has more real value that applies to governance than other pursuits. These guys strike me as the suits I used to work with. Not so much bright as they are bold.
What Mitt needs is a boring VP running mate, not someone who’s going to attract a lot of attention away from him like Ryan or Rubio would. McCain made that mistake with Palin. Obama, on the other hand, selected someone who, while having the occasional slip of the tongue, you just don’t hear much about.
@Michael Merritt:
That’s a pretty damn high bar there, Michael.
@Michael Merritt: Someone more boring and robotic than Mittens? I’d suggest a parking meter.
@Michael Merritt: What Mitt needs is a boring VP running mate, not someone who’s going to attract a lot of attention
That rules out any shiny objects.