Or not. In the 112th Congress, Paul Ryan (R-WI) is one of the most powerful members of the GOP. He's the House Budget Committee Chairman. And reportedly will be named Mitt Romney's running mate later today. 1. Paul Ryan (R-WI) was elected to Congress in 1998. At the age of 28. "I learned economics working for Jack Kemp,” he said in 1999. Kemp served in the George H.W. … [Read more...] about Six Things You May Be Surprised To Learn About Paul Ryan
R & R: Romney and Ryan It is
WaPo reports at 7:30 am Eastern Time, that it's Ryan who will be the man running for VP slot with Romney. R-R, Rom and Rya. RR. Re Romney's purported idea of 'unveiling' his veep choice at the site of the once fast-ship--the USS Wisconsin-- who served well, but is now a mothballed and delisted military ship, the USS Wisconsin (now designated as a tourist attraction/ museum … [Read more...] about R & R: Romney and Ryan It is
Holding the White House Is Not Enough
For the moment, all goes well on the Obama-Romney front as the President bumps upward in the polls amid the savagery of personal attacks by both sides. Yet the main 2012 issue is being lost in the hate Olympics: Will the American people take back their government from a Congress that has brought it to a standstill and threatens four more years of deadlock if Barack Obama is … [Read more...] about Holding the White House Is Not Enough
Quick Thoughts on Romney Veep Announcement
The media is reporting that Mitt Romney will be announcing his vice presidential pick at 9:00 on Saturday morning and that the choice will likely be Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan. If Ryan is the pick, he will excite the Republican base which sees him as a true conservative. Ryan is intelligent, experienced, and an acknowledged expert on fiscal matters. He served on the … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts on Romney Veep Announcement
Romney To Announce VP Pick On Saturday (Updated)
Update: It is looking increasingly like it will be Paul Ryan (CNN, AP, NBC, etc reporting it) Since the announcement is set to happen at 6am Pacific time it is unlikely I will be up to watch, so I will offer a few thoughts on a Ryan pick. Personally I think this would be a very bad pick for the Romney campaign. The only real benefits he seems to get from the choice are 1) … [Read more...] about Romney To Announce VP Pick On Saturday (Updated)
Tammy Smith: Our Military’s First Openly Gay General
While it may feel different to our gay and lesbian servicemembers, it seems only yesterday that the discriminatory law known as "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" was finally and formally repealed. The date was September 20, 2011, and this is part of what the President of the United States said on the occasion: Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is … [Read more...] about Tammy Smith: Our Military’s First Openly Gay General
Post-9/11 GI Bill Celebrates Start of Fourth Year
The Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, also known as the New G.I. Bill or the Post-9/11 GI Bill, was finally signed into law on June 30, 2008, after a long and fierce opposition led, surprisingly, by some GOP politicians. But in the end it was the strong bipartisan support by Members of Congress such as Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. and Sen. John Warner, R-Va. that … [Read more...] about Post-9/11 GI Bill Celebrates Start of Fourth Year
Romney Now Apparently Wants His Business Record Off Limits
It's getting so it's hard to figure out what Mitt Romney will agree to discuss with President Barack Obama in the campaign, unless he only wants it to be about the economy or the latest episode of "Breaking Bad." Will Walter White kill Jesse in the end? Or Will Jesse find out Walter's role in the death of his girlfriend and that poisoning of the kid? Will Skyler survive the … [Read more...] about Romney Now Apparently Wants His Business Record Off Limits
Jon Huntsman, Sr. to Mitt Romney: Release More Tax Returns
The issue of presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney's tax returns just won't go away. And the latest call comes from GOP who was once considered close to Romney: Jon Huntsman, Sr: Jon Huntsman Sr. called on Mitt Romney to release his tax returns Friday, complaining that the Republican nominee was not being “fair” with voters. “I feel very badly that Mitt won’t … [Read more...] about Jon Huntsman, Sr. to Mitt Romney: Release More Tax Returns
Romney Veepstakes 2012: Why Mitt Should Pick Chris Christie
My associate editor Richard Barry and I have been predicting Christie for months. For more, see, for example, "'Husky and Starch': The best GOP ticket and Obama's worst nightmare." ********** "Romney Faces Pressure From Right to Put Ryan on Ticket," says the Times. "Why not Paul Ryan?" asks the Journal. Well, because then the election could turn on the … [Read more...] about Romney Veepstakes 2012: Why Mitt Should Pick Chris Christie
Last Two U.S. Military Olympians Slated to Compete in London Olympics
As the London Summer Olympics draw to a close, we wish the last two military Olympians yet to compete every success. They are: • Spc. Dennis Bowsher, 29, of Dallas, who will compete in modern pentathlon, a five-sport event that includes fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, cross country and laser pistol shooting all in the same day, tomorrow, August 11. • Staff … [Read more...] about Last Two U.S. Military Olympians Slated to Compete in London Olympics
Could Jon Huntsman Sr. be the Source of Harry Reid Charge Romney Didn’t Pay Taxes for 10 Years?
Could Jon Huntsman Sr. be the source of Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) charge that Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years? The Daily Kos thinks so because Huntsman Sr. is business partners with Robert C. Gay, who was Bain Capital's managing director between 1989 and 2004. In other words, who else would have the inside scoop on any fancy financial shenanigans that could have … [Read more...] about Could Jon Huntsman Sr. be the Source of Harry Reid Charge Romney Didn’t Pay Taxes for 10 Years?
As a Former Mormon Missionary, Romney’s European Gaffes Were Well Calculated (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is it possible that the apparent gaffes Mitt Romney made visiting Europe and Israel were not gaffes at all - but the calculated fruits of his experience as a missionary in France? For Germany's Die Zeit, former Mormon and duel U.S.-German citizen Eric T. Hansen writes that if Mitt Romney wins in November, for the first time in a long time perhaps, there will be a U.S. president … [Read more...] about As a Former Mormon Missionary, Romney’s European Gaffes Were Well Calculated (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is Paul Ryan Just a Fall Guy?
“The larger strategic point,” according to the Wall Street Journal's endorsement of Ryan for veep, “is that Mr. Romney’s best chance for victory is to make this a big election over big issues." And Ryan, says Ezra Klein, "is Mr. Big Issues." But Klein sees it differently. ... The smaller, more Machiavellian point is that Ryan is Romney’s best chance to diffuse … [Read more...] about Is Paul Ryan Just a Fall Guy?
Romney Hint: Paul Ryan for Vice Presidential Pick?
Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney is expected to announced his Vice Presidential pick any day now -- some analysts believe it could come today. And did he drop a hint that it's going to be Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsiner highly popular with conservatives but also highly controversial, someone Democrats dream Romney will name? The National Journal thinks … [Read more...] about Romney Hint: Paul Ryan for Vice Presidential Pick?
Obama’s Intractable Media Woes
The President makes an involuntary cameo appearance in this week’s episode of HBO’s “Newsroom,” announcing the death of Osama bin Laden after an hour of journalistic jockeying over the propriety of reporting events before they are officially confirmed. Press criticism flourishes in the real White House too. After eight years of Bush/Cheney feigned disdain, Barak Obama is … [Read more...] about Obama’s Intractable Media Woes
When Pigs Fly, or, How to Elect Nixon Again and Again and Again …
Post Civil War Cartoon lampooning those who profited from the bravery of those doing the actual fighting: caption: 'THE STAY-AT-HOMES WHO WROTE WAR-SONGS' TeeVee Funnyman decides that information anarchy would be hilarious and shuts down a potentially useful source of information: Game Over: Wikipedia Locks Down Potential VP Pages In Response to Colbert Mischief-Making BY … [Read more...] about When Pigs Fly, or, How to Elect Nixon Again and Again and Again …
The Media’s Positive Influence on Today’s Veterans (Guest Voice)
The Media’s Positive Influence on Today’s Veterans by Levi Newman Today’s military members and veterans have sacrificed a significant portion of their lives deploying to war-torn countries. Over a decade has passed since they started living in tents thousands of miles away from their families and loved ones, and in all that time they never stopped placing themselves in … [Read more...] about The Media’s Positive Influence on Today’s Veterans (Guest Voice)
More Bad Polling News for Romney: Fox News Has Obama 9 Points Ahead
Fox News commentator Dick Morris recently said the media was "trying to" create a narrative that Barack Obama was ahead in his battle with presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney for the White House. Does Morris now include Fox News as among the media he suggests has editors and reporters creating a false narrative? This poll is even more lopsidded in favor of the new CNN … [Read more...] about More Bad Polling News for Romney: Fox News Has Obama 9 Points Ahead
Book Review: Jackie Salit’s “Independents Rising”
Are you among the 40 something percent of Americans who consider themselves political independents? You will appreciate this new book by Jacqueline Salit, president of IndependentVoting.org, long-time activist and strategist for the independent movement. I urge you to rush to your local bookstore and read this smart, witty and engaging look at American politics in 2012 from an … [Read more...] about Book Review: Jackie Salit’s “Independents Rising”