Paul Ryan has had a spiritual ephiphany.

[gollygee]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/champion-the-poor

Just last month, the Washington Post ran a surprisingly uncritical, front-page article on House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), celebrating the congressman for his efforts “fighting poverty and winning minds.” The gist of the piece was that the far-right congressman is entirely sincere about using conservative ideas – both economic and spiritual – to combat poverty.

BuzzFeed’s McKay Coppins is thinking along similar lines.

"Until recently, Paul Ryan would have seemed like an improbable pick to lead the restoration of compassionate conservatism with a heartfelt mission to the poor. Of all the caricatures he has inspired – from heroic budget warrior to black-hearted Scrooge – “champion of the poor” has never been among them. And yet, Ryan has spent the past year quietly touring impoverished communities across the country with Woodson, while his staff digs through center-right think tank papers in search of conservative policy proposals aimed at aiding the poor. Next spring, Ryan plans to introduce a new battle plan for the war on poverty – one he hopes will launch a renewed national debate on the issue. […]"

[T]hose closest to him say Ryan’s new mission is the result of a genuine spiritual epiphany – sparked, in part, by the prayer in Cleveland, and sustained by the emergence of a new pope who has lit the world on fire with bold indictments of the “culture of prosperity” and a challenge to reach out the weak and disadvantaged.

[tularetom]

1. And if you believe that you might be interested in this really neat item I have for sale

[gollygee]

2. LOL

I think in this case "had a spiritual epiphany" means "looked at the polls and tried to find a way to manipulate people given new polling data."

[BlueToTheBone]

9. indeed

[Tikki]

3. It appears that secret cameras could be beneficial at all his private fundraisers…these people lie..

so easily when they are out and about. Have a harder time lying to their big money backers.



Tikki

[DonViejo]

4. Huh?...

Paul Ryan would have seemed like an improbable pick to lead the restoration of compassionate conservatism

Restoration!? You can't restore something that was never implemented to begin with.

[Wounded Bear]

5. Compassionate conservatism is an oxymoron...

[JHB]

6. I didn't see anything about implementing...

The "restoration" would be adding it back to the list of "flavors of bullshit we can get the rubes to swallow."

[pinboy3niner]

7. So he's going to put new lipstick on an old pig

Re-name the War on the Poor "the new war on poverty."

Yeah, that's the ticket!

[gollygee]

8. How much do you want to bet

the war on poverty involves libertarianism, particularly cutting social programs for poor people?

Do the same old stuff but claim it's helping the people it hurts.

[okaawhatever]

10. I do believe that people can change, and sometimes change profoundly, but I do NOT for one second

think Paul Ryan has. He does things for one reason, to get elected President.

[kiranon]

16. Agree. n/t

[rucky]

11. Anybody remember the soup kitchen stunt?

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charity-president-paul-ryan-did-nothing-at-soup-kitchen-photo-op/

The head of a charity in northeastern Ohio where Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and his family were photographed cleaning dishes over the weekend said Monday that Ryan was not authorized to be on the premises and "did nothing" while there.

[freshwest]

12. Yup, and then they were persecuted by the Ryan faithful for telling the truth... n/t

[winter is coming]

13. It's very emblematic of what Ryan offers: empty pots. Show, not substance. n/t

[warrior1]

14. Would the real test be

Whether or not he's been disemboweled by the tea baggers.

[Greybnk48]

15. The zombie-eyed granny starver is full of shit.

He's a liar--a known liar. He cannot be trusted. Thank you to the Rude Pundit for the "zombie eyed granny starver" thing.

[MisterP]

17. just in time for Christina H's comeback

http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-facts-about-being-poor-from-rich-person/