Breaking: Romney Staff Warned Him Not to Pick Ryan!!

[ProSense]

Breaking: Romney Staff Warned Him Not to Pick Ryan!!

by joelgp

Oh snap--check out this quick-read from: http://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/romney-picked-ryan-over-advisors-early-doubts

"Mitt Romney appears to have picked Paul Ryan as his running mate over the objections of top political advisors, offering a glimpse into the Republican nominee in the most important decision of his campaign.

Romney's aides have stressed publicly in the 24 hours since Romney electrified conservatives with his choice that the pick was the governor's alone. They have been less forthcoming on the flip side: That much of his staff opposed the choice for the same reason that many pundits considered it unlikely — that Ryan's appealingly wonky public image and a personality Romney finds copasetic will matter far less than two different budget plans whose details the campaign now effectively owns.

"Everybody was against (Ryan) to start with only Romney for," said one top Republican, who is skeptical of the choice and griped that Romney's top advisors have "been giving Mitt everything he wanted in this campaign."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/12/1119416/-Breaking-Romney-Staff-Warn-Him-Not-to-Pick-Ryan

Romney chose Ryan because (updated)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021108475

[malaise]

1. Oh snap

This is going to become real fun

[ProSense]

4. I feel an

ad coming on:

Romney: "every now and then I make a mistake"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021110218

[malaise]

40. LOL

Hahahahaha

[Faygo Kid]

2. He did as he was told.

This was inevitable.

[progressivebydesign]

73. as he was told by Sheldon.. not his advisors. of course. n/t

[HereSince1628]

90. Or the Kochs who've promised immense amounts of money to beat Obama.

[emulatorloo]

136. Or Grover Norquist . . .

[Coyotl]

100. Gillespie is the inside conduit to Mitt

And we all know who gives orders to Gillespie

[WooWooWoo]

3. its really not going to matter either way

people vote for president, not vice president. In my entire life I've never heard anyone say "I wasn't going to vote for _____, but then he picked ____ as his VP, so I changed my mind."

[Skittles]

8. problem here is

Mitt is SUCH an empty suit the VP actually will DOMINATE

[Baitball Blogger]

16. We have learned our lesson after Cheney.

VPs do matter.

[russspeakeasy]

39. All you have to say is "Cheney". It matters.

[HubertHeaver]

58. But Cheney famously picked himself.

[Coyotl]

102. No, Cheney ran Bush.

And then he had to famously move his own ars back to Wyoming to be able to be number 2, safe from prosecution for the war crimes "Bush" committed!

[Baitball Blogger]

141. He had all the makings of a CEO from the 20th Century.

Let's hope the next generation learns to tighten the loopholes.

[Rozlee]

138. Pit Bulls with lipstick also matter.

The Jewish vote in Florida plunged for McCain after he chose Palin. Ezra Klein said something about Jews not caring much for people who said they were going to be destroyed by God during Armageddon unless they converted to Christianity. Ryan, like Palin and Cheney, only preach to the choir. They're going to lose the Independents.

[WooWooWoo]

22. he might help with turnout in some places

but he won't mean much in the long run. it'll still be Romney (not Ryan) debating Obama three times.

All Ryan does is keep the excited base still excited (at least until the polling starts dropping).

[davekriss]

34. Actually it can mean a lot

Picking Ryan increases the odds that national focus stays off the unemployment rate and on the economy and, instead, becomes a debate over whether or not we as a nation value and want Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security to continue as we know it.

It provides rich pickings for the Obama campaign. They will continue to frame the dialogue; Romney will be forced to continue on the defensive.

Not a bad pick -- for we Democrats!

[Skittles]

36. that's pretty sad

that anyone could be "excited" over Ryan

[tclambert]

117. Well, the freepers hate Romney.

They threatened to shut down their website if he were chosen. They flip-flopped on that one. No surprise. They like Ryan because he really, really wants to wreck the government.

[ProSense]

9. I know

" its really not going to matter either way"

...I know.

McCain: Ryan Pick ‘Also A Bold Choice’ Like Palin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021116457

[spanone]

15. 2 words...sarah. palin.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

17. I have heard the opposite.

I was going to vote for McCain, but I can't after his choice in VP. I heard that sentiment from several people.

Historically, botching your first real decision as a potential leader of the United States, is not taken well by voters.

As to the VP choice not mattering in a positive way, it can make the difference between someone going from not being enthused to vote, to enthused. And vise versa, of course.

[WooWooWoo]

23. yeah, but unless you're talking millions of people saying that

it really, in the end, doesn't matter.

[ProSense]

25. You'd be

surprised at how much it matters: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021115408

Or maybe you already know.

Either way, this is hilarious.

[oldhippydude]

45. illistrated by Mc Govern and Egelton n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

74. In fairness to McGovern, he hardly 'botched' his pick of Eagleton. While I do

not have the definitive records in front of me right now, I'm fairly certain the onus lies with Eagleton for failing to disclose his electroshock therapy to McGovern's staff when it was vetting him.

Here's how I'm pretty sure the discussion went down:

McGovern Aide: "Is there anything in your past that would disqualify you from assuming the office of President, should the sitting President become incapacitated?"
Eagleton: "No."

If the buck always stops at the top, then yes McGovern 'botched' it. Elemental fairness demands however that Eagleton bear a share of the blame, don't you think?

[oldhippydude]

82. agreed... that probably was the scenario..

my comment was in reference to picking the a dud, and the influence on the campaign... George never quite got his campaign on track after his initial mistake, and yes Eagleton should have been more forthcoming..

[Pab Sungenis]

133. There was no vetting.

McGovern won the nomination in the middle of the night, and called Eagleton asking him to be the running mate shortly afterward. That was the problem.

[coalition_unwilling]

135. I must go back and review my history, I think. I remember Eagleton's

nomination being highly contested but I thought I also remembered a standard vetting process where Eagleton failed to disclose his psychiatric treatments.

Wikipedia is notable as much for what it does not say as for what it actually does say:

"McGovern then asked Senator Gaylord Nelson to be his running mate. Nelson declined but suggested Tom Eagleton, whom McGovern ultimately chose, with only a minimal background check. Eagleton made no mention of his earlier hospitalizations, and in fact decided with his wife to keep them secret from McGovern while he was flying to his first meeting with the Presidential nominee."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Eagleton#Selection_as_vice_presidential_candidate

[Tx4obama]

31. You probably weren't paying attention to the folks that went out and voted for Palin.

Tons of the Palin fans posted in comments all over the net back in the last election that they hadn't planned on voting at all until McCain picked Palin.

[Drunken Irishman]

42. But it was a wash, though. For all the votes she gained from the base, she lost from the middle...

I suspect the same thing will happen with Ryan. He'll energize the base and maybe help with votes there, but in the end, he'll cost Romney votes among voters who consider themselves independent.

So, yes, there were a lot of voters who went out and voted Palin. There were also a lot of voters who decided to vote Obama because of Palin. Had McCain picked Pawlenty instead, those voters stay home and the ones who voted for Obama probably vote McCain, but the difference is minimal.

[Major Hogwash]

49. I think you're right. Sister Sarah spread the word in a way that only she could.

And a lot of Republicons fell for it.

Even though she blew her chance in the spotlight, she is still hanging around waiting for another reality show.

[Lex]

54. You probably weren't paying attention to all those who DIDN'T vote for McCain

BECAUSE of Sarah Palin being picked by McCain. Also another factoid: they lost.

[Tx4obama]

64. I know THAT. That wasn't my point.

My point was that there are folks that will go out and vote for the person listed as VP on a ticket.

[tclambert]

119. Yeah, that's why you're supposed to pick someone from a big battleground state,

hoping the VP's "favored son" effect will swing enough votes in his home state to win you those precious electoral votes. That's one of the realpolitik reasons selecting Palin made no sense. McCain already owned Alaska's 3 electoral votes. McCain should have gone with Tom Ridge to give him a chance in Pennsylvania (20 electoral votes).

Wisconsin currently falls in the undecided column, so maybe Romney hopes Ryan will bag him 10 electoral votes. The "favored son" effect doesn't always work, though. Romney himself will likely lose Massachusetts and Michigan, his "home" state, and his birth state.

[KamaAina]

140. And California

his car elevator state.

[Paka]

41. But it can work in the reverse.

I skipped the 2000 election because I truly could not vote for a ticket with Lieberman on it. I consoled myself that it didn't affect the outcome because I was in Oregon and Gore took the state. I had just returned from a year in Africa and needed to re-register, but I was so repulsed by that scumbag being on the ticket I gave it a pass.

[SheilaT]

137. You are right.

I almost didn't vote in 2000 because I was so appalled at the choice of Lieberman.

I simply cannot imagine any candidate picking a VP that I'm so enamored of that I would then vote for the President I'd previously not been willing to vote for.

Which is actually why in more than one recent election cycle there's been a lot of nonsense about the top of the ticket picking a running mate from the other party. The underlying idea is that you then appeal to almost everyone from both parties, and that ticket wins big. Except that such a crossover would simply never happen given the way the political parties actually operate. Yes, sometimes a politician does change parties, and then is re-elected, now with a different initial after his name. But that's something entirely different.

[Cosmocat]

43. It matters down ticket

It might not make a big difference in the presidential - but it changes the whole tone of the race.

To this point, it has been Romney flopping all over the place and saying Obama sucks. It now becomes a VERY defined policy race, and the Rs now have their agenda CLEARLY on the table, something they know people won't like, which is why we get the vague platitudes all the time.

But, it has the chance to REALLY help the senate/house races in that it now puts everyone senator/house member in a position to declare support for Ryan and by extension his budget. This thing is TOXIC to the point where it might cost them the House. I have been pretty sure the Ds had no chance at the House and would be lucky to just hold the Senate.

This puts the House in play, potentially.

[Panasonic]

95. As a matter of fact

I expect a massive turnover of the R's in the House to the Dems and they hold the House for a long, long time.

No-one can trust the teabaggers to represent anyone or anything.

[Cha]

57. It matters here because

ryan is tied to the gop house of failure and many many other votes in the bush-cheney admin that were Disasterous for our country.


"Picking Ryan Wasn't Bold; It Was Insane" by booman..

<snippet>

"1. It forced Romney to try and fail to distance himself from Paul Ryan's budget plan. Romney now says he would have signed Ryan's budget, and he therefore owns a budget plan so unpopular that people don't even believe it was actually proposed.

2. It locked Romney in to a plan that raises taxes on lower middle class folks while effectively zeroing out his own taxes.

3. It locked Romney into a program that voucherizes Medicare, and twins him with a candidate who wants to privatize Social Security."."

Much More..

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2012/8/12/12106/2055?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boomantribune%2FSvpw+%28Booman+Tribune%29

h/t theobamadiary

[Duct Tape]

65. I agree for the most part, but back in '08

I did hear a number of people switch from McCain because of Palin. Also, don't underestimate the stupidity and sheep like tendencies of the American people. If Fox News pushes for the duo, which they will, and CNN follows, which they will, there's a chance that people may be drawn to the stupid "intellectual leader" mantra. I don't think they will, but don't rule it out completely.

[bluemarkers]

69. McCain, Palin

I heard that a lot.

[Walk away]

80. Except for 2008 when McCain picked Palin....

She drove away Independents in a few short weeks.

[LoisB]

81. Actually, I gave considerable thought to voting for John McCain until he picked Sister Sarah.

That told me all I needed to know about John McCain.

[Esse Quam Videri]

83. Actually, my mother-in-law, a registered Repug

Specifically did not vote for McCain last time because of his pick of the Alaskan Grifter. She saw the pick as an insult to women and as an attempt to just put a woman on the ticket.

[treestar]

91. I recall the excitement around the Palin pick though

At least, at the time of the pick, it is natural to make a big deal of it in the news.

At least this time the R's don't get the drama and attention they got with Palin.

Of course it is not a sole reason, but it will have some effect. It'll become one more reason not to vote for the Mittwit.

[amandabeech]

97. Four years ago, I heard some people say "I was going to vote for McCain,

but then he picked Palin as his VP, so I changed my mind."

[mick063]

104. I challenge that.

Sarah Palin was poison for McCain. Indeed, I would point to Palin as the single biggest negative for McCain.

[JDPriestly]

108. Sarah Palin! People who might have voted for McCain would not vote for

him thanks to Sarah Palin.

Yes. The VP counts.

[Th1onein]

124. REALLY? REALLY?

Did you forget about Palin? Are you kidding? REALLY?

[WooWooWoo]

126. no, i didn't forget about Palin

I just didn't know anyone who decided to switch their vote based on her. Plus, they lost anyway, and not by a margin great enough that you could make the case she alone was what cost McCain the election.

[Th1onein]

144. The woman is a national (and international) joke! She lost McCain the election, no doubt.

I'm sure she wasn't the only thing, but she tipped him right over into the losing lane.

When Saturday Night Live makes a skit about you and most of it is take verbatim from your actual words, you've got a real negative on your hands, my friend. If Palin isn't the prime example of a VP choice destroying one's chances of getting elected, then I don't know who is. Ryan comes in a close second.

[SalviaBlue]

132. I think quite a few people said just that

when McCain picked Palin.

[spanone]

5. just like the fool romney to make a 'bold' wrong, boneheaded choice

[dawg]

6. It's potentially very telling that we are already hearing about this.

Usually this is the kind of thing that comes out *after* a humiliating defeat.

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. This was my first thought, too.

No message control, at all. This kind of tell all usually doesn't hit the gossip circuit until after an election.

Wow.

[Major Hogwash]

51. There was some grumbling back in 2008, too.

But, now the Republicons are tired of losing, so they are emboldened to go public quicker.

[Ruby the Liberal]

66. Heh. Yeah, that and

"I tried to tell him!" sprinkled with a little "It wasn't me".

[mick063]

105. Usually, but

They see the writing on the wall and are hedging their bet. After Palin and the revealing movie "Game Change", they now have an avenue to "blame" the candidate. These are people that sell political "expertise" for a living.

The "handler" position is lucrative only for the winners. If they want a job next go round, they will have to point out they were "overruled" early.

[NJCher]

142. excellent point

Your explanation makes consummate sense.

I am starting to think that r-money doesn't pay much attention to his staff and hasn't all along. He's another one who thinks he knows it all and doesn't understand the concept of group IQ.

This would explain why this campaign has been such a mess and for so long.

[liberal N proud]

7. I don't think Ryan was Romney's choice either

The owners (Koch bro.s) told who he would name.

[flamingdem]

10. That's the reality, he'd like credit for not picking him..

but the big bucks decides

[Andy823]

55. I totally agree

As long as Romney wants the Koch brothers money, he had to pick who they told him to. They like people like Ryan, ass kissers who will do anything to gain more power, and who will do anything to keep the "billionaires" happy! They think their money can buy them the country, but they are going to find out come November no matter how much money the dump into this presidential race, their Romney Ryan ticket isn't going anywhere! Let them waste their money.

[lib2DaBone]

86. Agree.. Romney didnt pick Ryan...

the Koch Bros and Sheldon Adelson did.

Romney is just following orders.

[BlueStreak]

94. Exactly. It is not like th edecision was Romney's

Hell, he hasn't even put any of his own money into this thing, has he? It is just like Bain. Use other people's money.

But when you serve at the pleasure of a handful of multi-billionaires, you do what they say. Seriously, Romney has become pretty insignificant in this thing. Ryan is their boy. If their money can get him elected, they will expect Romney to stand on the sidelines. And if he isn't willing to do that, he'd better watch his back.

[Cobalt-60]

99. spot on, as my UK friends say

Romny selected the VP his owners ordered him to.

[datasuspect]

12. men like romney are empty shells with an unnatural competitive streak

they are excellent at accumulating and using resources (people/money), but if they stand alone, they effectively have nothing but a fake smile.

many moons ago when i worked with executive leadership types in education, i noticed that the most effective ones worked diligently through some very smart people.

they never created anything of value on their own - some of the worse would read business self-help books and try to implement that as university policy. the results were hilarious to watch.

but for romney to not listen to those closest to him shows his competitiveness got the best of whatever good sense he MIGHT have.

that competitiveness is a weakness. the only thing romney knows is that he must win - at whatever cost.

[Lifelong Protester]

13. Another Palin.

All day I've been gloomy (about other stuff, not just politics) and all I can think of is that Ryan, after the first press "swoon" will end up being a liability, another Palin.

When it becomes apparent to even the 'low information' voters that Ryan wants to kill Medicare and do who-knows-what to SS, how can that possibly help Romney?

[sad sally]

14. And right after he corrected the introduction he said,

"Every now and then, I'm known to make a mistake."

[enough]

19. That was a weird moment, saying that while putting his arm around Ryan's shoulder.

Even though he was supposedly referring to his previous gaffe, the effect was strange.

[sad sally]

24. It was strange. And never a mention that his guy has no "real" business experience except

for driving the weiner mobil and selling weiners one summer.

[Cha]

61. With his arm around ryan, wasn't it?

Brawawaaa

[nc4bo]

18. He did it hiiiiiis waaaaay.

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

[sellitman]

20. A train wreck

Within hours Flipper was distancing himself from the Ryan Budget Plan.

So...

He distanced himself from his Governorship of Massachusetts

He distanced himself from his private sector wizardry at Bain Capitol

He distanced himself from His job of spreading tax dollars all over Salt Lake to make his Olympics run.

He distanced himself from responsibility of releasing his tax returns.

And now he is distancing himself with his VP's signature budget stance.


I smell fear.

[Brother Buzz]

76. Well, hopefully he can make it through the convention and out of the station before the train wrecks

[frazzled]

21. Ryan already seems to be overshadowing him

The base is going nuts for him, and suddenly big crowds are showing up that weren't there before. They're there to see Ryan, not Romney. Aside from the liabilities that Ryan and his famous budget pose in general, Romney aides are now having to explain to the press that Romney won't be following Paul Ryan's ideas; Ryan will be supporting Gov. Romney's ideas.

Oh man, you are in big trouble when everybody is treating your rock-star veep choice as if HE were the candidate.

[RedStateLiberal]

29. I just had deja vu from '08

[calimary]

84. Yeah, I know what you mean. The last time we saw this "rock star VP candidate," it was sarah palin.

I was gonna say sarah mcdingdong but I ran out of room in the reply title line.

[progressivebydesign]

78. Gotta correct you on that. The large crowds could NOT have known Ryan would be the pick.

The media tried to push that today.. saying "look how the crowds have turned out for RYAN!" Well.. the two events yesterday were ticketed, and invitation only. There is no way in hell that people knew it was Ryan before they got the tickets, as it was leaked the night before.

You're buying into the GOP narrative and the media BS. It's not true. It's simply not true. THe reason that they held the announcement near DC, is that they could bring as many GOP Staffer and officials and their families, etc. Virginia is filled with military OFFICERS, who tend to vote republicans.

It's a total stretch to say that the crowds turned out for Ryan yesterday... impossible.

[part man all 86]

85. Good call! Something I did not know at all.

[frazzled]

101. Untwist your panties!

I'm talking today, not yesterday. The bus tour, North Carolina, people lined the streets for the bus--not a ticketed event. Try reading (and taking a tranquilizer).

If you think those right wingers weren't energized by having their boy idol join the ticket, you're nuts. Not that it will do them any good. It's a terrible move for Romney. He's the candidate, and nobody likes him. And everybody thinks his number two is now running the show. It's a lose lose all around.

[unc70]

110. Where did they line the street in NC?

They had a few hundred people in Mooresville at the NASCAR Tech Inst. looked like mostly same people outside and in. Not much crowd at all there.

More people at the High Point event. Looked like 1-2 thousand total. Only ones shown on local stations in NC were right at the events.

Got rather subdue coverage on all the regional TV stations. Friend in the business said only one CLT crew went to Mooresville. Rest just relied on national pool coverage.

Local media are POed because all their interviews planned with Romney were canceled after having been hyped for several days!! RR ignored their questions in passing, too. The event in RTP was downgraded to son Matt and gov candidate McCrory. They were dismissive of questions, too. Ouch!

[frazzled]

112. The point is ...

No one was showing up for Mitt. Even if it was several thousand, that's a whole lot more than he's been generating.

What's the matter with you folks? Are you completely myopic? Can you only see things from your own perspective? The right-wing likes Paul Ryan. They liked Sarah Palin. It means nothing in terms of the election. In fact, it portends very poorly for Romney. Try to understand what is being said.

The point being made is that it is very bad for Romney when his base is so excited about his veep pick. He's allowing someone else to be the star for them, but pretty soon it will be clear that it is Romney who is their candidate, the one who has to do the three debates with Obama; the one who will have to distance himself from his running-mate's policies and votes. And that's never a good thing.

Don't worry. Be happy.

[unc70]

115. "you folks"?!! Really?! Stick to IL, let me talk about NC

Re-read what I wrote. I'll try to explain it again in a way you might understand. This time when I type I will be very careful and slow.

What I just described to you was an extremely tepid, unenthused, relatively small crowd for Romney and Ryan. Really small considering how they had been hyping this.

Crowd size and excitement in VA had been the talking point Saturday evening. In that context, the two NC stops today were failures. The NC GOP can turn out a thousand or so of the faithful for almost anything, and that is all they did in High Point. I even recognized several GOP county-level officials from other parts of the state.

The RW in NC hates Wisconsin almost as much as they do Massachusetts. They will still vote against Obama. But RR is going to scare NC independents into voting Dem. I fully expect this to cause big problems for McCrory, the Repub candidate for gov who has worked hard on creating his image as a non-scary Republican.

Finally, most of the local stations carried video of Romney and Ryan arriving in charlotte on their bus tour -- by private plane at the CLT airport, getting into their cars. While not a secret, pointing this out repeatedly were the TV news crews making a statement. Just a little reminder.

[Tunkamerica]

116. um... where did you hear they lined the streets? I mean I guess the 1700 or so stood outside before

being let into the venue, but even in high point I have a very hard time believing the streets were "lined".

[smirkymonkey]

93. Are there really that many filthy rich people in this country??

[DisgustipatedinCA]

26. Romney needs to change the terms of his Friday proposal

In addition to not talking about taxes or his business experience anymore, I'm sure Romney would appreciate it if we also didn't talk about his abortion of a running mate anymore either. It'd bereal helpful, and would show good sportsmanship.

Tax returns please, Mr. Romney.
What are you hiding offshore, Mr. Romney?
Which parts of Ryan's "budget" plan do you specifically disagree with, Mr. Romney?

[BumRushDaShow]

27. Looks like this campaign has more than enough material for an HBO movie

just like "Game Change". They'll call it "Bold Move". Get Michael Douglas to play Rmoney (with that double entendre moment) and Johnny Depp could throw on some blue contact lenses and play Ryan.

[nc4bo]

33. Double the pleasure if you include '08. OMG.

Can you imagine?

[lastlib]

52. Butch Patrick isn't available?

[BumRushDaShow]

59. He's a bit too old now

[AnnieK401]

28. It's too late to dump this losing duo now, Republicans

The convention is only days away.

[DallasNE]

30. Amazing What Phone Calls From Adelson And Koch

Can do to influence the choice of VP pick over one's own staff. And that is the real story here. In fact, Ryan is flying out to meet with Adelson on Tuesday -- perhaps for a "thank you" check.

[woo me with science]

32. A story to show he is not controlled by everyone around him.

I guess they felt a need for that.

[Ed Suspicious]

77. yup. He's a maverick. The tea-baggers are gonna love hearing about it this. n/t

[RedStateLiberal]

35. More proof Rmoney caved

to those who were pushing hard for Ryan the week before the pick was announced.

Portman was at the top of the list. I guarantee his campaign was pushing him to pick Portman because it was a safe choice - even when it was obvious they needed someone more exciting.

Mitt did as he was told. Good boy... Now sit!

[wilsonbooks]

37. Wow. I have never seen staff throw the boss under the bus in the middle of the campaign.

Utter disaster. No message discipline, no loyalty. The rats are fleeing already.

[Cha]

63. I know..it's unheard of! For

obvious reasons.

[chowder66]

38. I swear this guy does not want to be president. He just wants to reset the bar so low...

that it makes it even easier for the next republican grifter. Palin and McCain lowered it a fair amount... now Romney and Ryan have finished it off.

This should piss off all republicans that they are mocking and diminishing their own party's standard. The threshold has been obliterated and it's an utter embarrassment but the supporters refuse to see it.

I'm pretty sure Romney also is using some loophole somewhere and is making a shitload of money off just being the "Pretender" Nominee.

[speedoo]

44. "... foreign policy advisor Dan Senor..."

Senor, the obnoxious, lying spokesman for the Bush-Cheney Iraq War, was one who favored the Ryan Choice.

Romney, the gift who keeps on giving.

Bush-Cheney, the gift that will give forever.

[dsteve01]

46. This is why

we don't let robots run campaigns!

BTW, was he born in Mexico?

[jonthebru]

47. Remember what Norquist said.

It was something like: All we want is someone smart enough to hold a pen and sign the bills we put in front of him.
And McConnell who said "Our job as members of the Republican House of Representatives is to make Barack Obama a one term President."

Ashholes all!

It is our job to make certain that does not happen.

[progressivebydesign]

79. "working digits" baby. Everyone needs to post that quote early and often on Social Media. n/t

[LynneSin]

48. Even more reason for me to believe that someone making big donations to the Romney campaign insisted

That Romney pick Ryan.

I know Koch Brothers are pretty thick with Wisconsin politicians, I wouldn't be shocked if they made the ultimatum.

[subterranean]

60. When someone is spending millions to help you get elected

with promises of more to come, you bet you're going to listen to him.

[HooptieWagon]

72. Bingo.

They saw Romney wasn't exciting the base, and made the call to put their guy on the ticket. Millions of PAC money in ads and voter suppression will take care of the rest.

[cleduc]

50. I think Romney saw his campaign in trouble

and panicked.

He spent only one hour talking with Ryan
His campaign did no polling analysis of their options (seems crazy to me)

The roll out seemed awkward and oddly timed.

[The empressof all]

53. Romney is an empty suit

He believed the hype about Ryan and bought it hook line and sinker. He is so out of touch with reality he thinks Ryan is some sort of popular thinker. Jeeze...What a dolt he is.

[sakabatou]

56. I can see a new ad from Obama:

"If Romney wouldn't listen to his advisors, why would he listen to the American people?"

[rocktivity]

62. This says that the Romney camp is living in an even BIGGER fantasty world

than we thought. And that's saying a LOT:

“We are not auditioning for fearless leader,” Grover Norquist told conservatives at the CPAC convention in February. “We don’t need a president to tell us in what direction to go. We know what direction to go. We want the Ryan budget...We just need a president to sign this stuff...Pick a Republican with enough working digits to handle a pen..."

“The clamor you are hearing for Paul Ryan for VP is not about helping the Romney candidacy,” wrote conservative writer and former George W. Bush aide David Frum. “It’s about controlling the Romney campaign—and ultimately the Romney presidency. It’s about forcing a platform on Romney, and then dictating the agenda...If (Romney) accedes, it’s a big surrender of control—and a surrender to many of those who most opposed (and who inwardly continue to dislike) his nomination.”

...Those are the marching orders, and thus far they’ve controlled Romney’s campaign...
More

rocktivity

[HooptieWagon]

75. Yep. nt

[bupkus]

67. McCain/Palin II

Next: Ryan greets Romney staff wearing only a towel.

[WinstonSmith4740]

68. OK, this is beginning to scare me.

It's really beginning to look like he's either trying to loose this thing, or the fix is in so big and bad that they know they can do whatever they want because the Rove/Koch voting machines will give them whatever number of votes they need

As for this,

"...and griped that Romney's top advisors have "been giving Mitt everything he wanted in this campaign."

Mitt was a child of privilege, and grew up to be a high ranking official in his church. He's been surrounded by "yes" men his whole life, and (sorry if I step on any toes, here) a probably fairly compliant wife. He's USED to getting his own way. I'm sure he's not about to change his ways now.

[Trekologer]

70. It seems like a hastily made pick

The pick announcement is announced late on a Friday night and occurs early the next morning. At the announcement, there were no signs with Ryan's name on them, not at the campaign stop after it. Only later in the day did Romney/Ryan signs show up and only a few of them. Romney cancels scheduled interviews and campaign stops. This isn't the sign of a well-planned, well-executed running mate selection that the campaign is proud of.

[amandabeech]

98. I didn't know about the signs.

It's either Rmoney going rogue or some major donor gone wild.

The whole thing was just really bizarre. Chuck Todd and Wolf Blitzer at 10 pm to 2 am? Not normal.

If it really was Willard the decider who forced this precipitous decision, what does it say about his proclivity to make a similarly precipitous decision while in the White House.

Actually, though, maybe he's just like Foxconn waking workers at midnight, giving them tea and then making them work straight for 24 hours.

Maybe Willard liked the idea of pulling the chain of the media in the same way that Friedman liked the idea of the midnight awakenings.

[progressivebydesign]

71. Knew it! I pegged Romney as a self-centered CEO type, who only listens to yes-men.

Thus his daily disasters. He struck so many of us, during his numerous fuck-ups, as someone who just does what he wants.. thinks he knows better than anyone. Won't listen to advice or reason. He's used to being in charge, to being the bully.

And considering that his biggest donors and PAC donors are sons of the John Bircher Society, of course he picked a libertarian..

[BREMPRO]

139. totally agree.. suffers from wealthy corporate CEO syndrome..

entitled arrogance and disassociated with reality and the masses.

[Kalidurga]

87. Romney should just stay in hiding...

Every time he comes out he does something colossally stupid. I keep thinking he can't top this and then the next time he opens his mouth or makes a decision he does. The tax thing dang, I thought this is really stupid, it makes him look weak. Then when Borat Romney went to London, I was amazed at his lack of manners to say the least. So, then he goes to Israel and tries to start WW3, ok that one made me a bit nervous. So, then he pulls a cry baby move and says don't talk about my record at _________ any place he has ever been. And we don't even get to celebrate that properly before he pulls the ultimate boner and picks a VP that just might be even more heartless than he is and this can't end well for him.

[SaveAmerica]

88. how long til his campaign is a ghost town?

[HereSince1628]

89. Forget about political advice, this was about his financiers' mandates.

If you think about where that money comes from,you quickly realize who picked Paul Ryan

[SoapBox]

92. We never can let Mittens forget that he now owns little Eddie Munster Jr.!

You bought it (broken in the first place) Mittens...now you own it!

[freshwest]

96. Sorry, but I don't believe Mitt picked Ryan. Cheney and the Koch brothers did this.

[still_one]

103. I don't believe it. I suspect they planted this story in the hope that the public will believe

Romney is his own person

[ProSense]

106. Which

Last edited Mon Aug 13, 2012, 01:36 AM - Edit history (1)

"I don't believe it. I suspect they planted this story in the hope that the public will believe Romney is his own person"

...just goes to show how much they suck. They got the opposite reaction to a tacit admission that people see Romney as a tool.

[still_one]

109. I agree. /nt

[B Calm]

107. I'm sure it was his big doners pick!

[Whisp]

111. Romney was 'advised' to choose a Cheney like Bush did.

same old.

Bush Jr and Romney are just too fucking inept (except in that feral survival way) so they have to have a boy friday to do the actual decision making.

[Blanks]

113. Its a match made in heaven.

[The Second Stone]

114. I loathe Ryan's politics, but he is at least

a serious choice, unlike Palin or Cheney, or Quayle, or Agnew. Christie would have been a sick joke.

[FlaGranny]

120. Ryan has

the "gift." He's articulate, smart, and charismatic. He is frightening. With the voter suppression, voting "irregularities," etc., I don't feel comfortable. Vouchers and privatized social security would put seniors back into the homes of their children and make them dependent, like they once were in the early 20th century. The middle class would sink further because of the financial burden of taking care of their parents. The 3-generation household would return.

[madokie]

118. Personally I don't think rMoney had much choice

Who or what politician of any integrity would want to hitch his career to rMoney in any way. Paul rYan is just like the mitster in so many ways. For instance how did he amass his wealth while working for us the citizens of these united states? Answer me that

[nichomachus]

127. Integrity? We're talking about Republicans here.

A lot of people would be only too eager to be on even a losing ticket. It gives you incredible exposure for your own political ambitions at someone else's expense. Most politicians have no shame. As long as they can be in the spotlight, they don't care.

The Snowdrift Grifter and her wretched family have done OK since the debacle of 2008. Had McCain not picked her, she probably would have gone on to quite the governor job and just open up a meth lab or something.

[GetRidOfThem]

121. Romney's words before he announced Ryan to his staff and the public...

"Hey, y'all, watch THIS!!!!!"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

122. Chuck Todd just said that it was down to Pawlenty and Ryan....he didn't mention

much dissent

[kitt6]

123. Romney is no longer interested

in the Presidency. He's in it for, lets just say attention. Might be something that gets him out of his dull existence.

[Iggy]

125. I've Been Correcly Predicting POTUS Elections

since grandpa reagan was elected in 1980.

No surprise Ryan's advisers advised against eddie munster; he's hideous.

when the Catholic bishops come out strongly (months ago) against how Paulie
thinks he's going to swing his cruel meat ax at our social safety net-- you
know there's a problem.

Rmoney may have just handed the election to Obama/Biden.

[Doctor_J]

128. This will provide cover when they steal WI

[Sheepshank]

129. That's gotta make Pawlenty feel better lol n/t

[reflection]

130. I don't know...

this sounds a little contrived... as if they are trying to make us believe that Romney has the strength of conviction to buck his own managers and handlers. "Look at how courageous he is!" Not that any of us will ever know for sure, but I don't Romney would take a bowel movement without getting approval first. I doubt he just grew a spine overnight.

[Jennicut]

131. The Koch brothers have given heaps of money to Ryan in the past.

It is obvious this pick was done with ultra right wing of the Repub party in control and not Mitt. He didn't listen to his staff because they aren't shoveling millions at him for his campaign.

[Ganja Ninja]

134. "This is a F'ing sacred public office."

"Show some G@d D^*n respect and don't pick this F'ing loser."

[Brooklyn Dame]

143. The GOP is using Mitt as a throw-away candidate...

...so that they can build up Ryan over the next 4 years while he solidifies their plans to blast Social Security and Medicare out of existence.

http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2012/08/romneys-choice-makes-it-clear-this-aint-your-grandpas-gop/

[ecstatic]

145. 2 rogues don't make a right

Romney is the Palin equivalent on his ticket. It'll be interesting to see this clusterf*ck unfolds.

[magnifisense]

146. Too late now!

GOP, you're stuck with these two!

I just worry about the voter suppression and purges that could still cost us this election. No one should become complacent. I'm even guilty at times of getting too excited and thinking we have it in the bag. We must be vigilant.