Stupid Republican idea of the day

[Snowboarder Bo]

Originally Posted by Smapti

Romney wants Obama to promise not to talk about his business background.

Is there any accomplishment in Romney's life that he isn't ashamed of?

PLEASE please please tell me that there's video of this interview!

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Originally Posted by Smapti

Romney wants Obama to promise not to talk about his business background.

Is there any accomplishment in Romney's life that he isn't ashamed of?

What is this I don't even





I am 63+ years old and I have never in all my adult years seen such a cluelessly incompetent candidate for the presidency.

[silenus]

It just got worse: he's choosing Paul Ryan as his VP.

[jayjay]

Originally Posted by silenus

It just got worse: he's choosing Paul Ryan as his VP.

I'm just aquiver at what the Obama campaign can put out there about Grandma-Starver...

[Smapti]

Originally Posted by silenus

It just got worse: he's choosing Paul Ryan as his VP.

I'm just gonna go ahead and nominate this for Stupid Republican Idea of the 2012 Election Cycle. The traditional purpose of the VP pick is to "balance the ticket" and appeal to moderates by providing someone whose strengths match your weaknesses. Obama, a single-term senator, picked Biden, an elder statesman. Bush, who was never known for being all that bright, picked Cheney, a technocrat who'd served in the White House before. Clinton, who was charismatic but not particularly wonkish, picked Gore, a dour intellectual. JFK, a northeastern liberal, picked Johnson, a southern conservative. And so on.

Romney has chosen one of the most polarizing people in Congress, who's only popular with the tea party fringe, who's best known achievement is proposing a massively unpopular budget plan that went down in flames.

Is he not even trying anymore? Did the vetting process consist of "So, are you doing anything for the next couple months?" Or maybe Romney knows he's going to lose and he's decided to fail so spectacularly that the rest of the GOP goes down in flames with him as punishment for not being more enthusiastic about him?

[Boyo Jim]

It makes a kind of sense if Romney is going to make a big move from the right to the center soon. He's already started that IMO, as he's given a couple of speeches in the last few days that offer a less condemnatory tone toward UHC and an individual mandate.

Personally, I think a substantial move toward the center is his only chance, though it will again bring up his old flip-flopping issues, which I think has been less of a problem for him in the last month or two.

Ryan would be a decent anchor for his right flank. The big 'if' is whether independents and the few remaining moderate Republicans will buy into a suddenly more moderate Romney or not.

[elucidator]

Severely moderate.

[Batfish]

Originally Posted by Smapti

...Clinton, who was charismatic but not particularly wonkish...

(bold mine)

You couldn't be less correct.

[Patty O'Furniture]

Originally Posted by Smapti

Obama, a single-term senator, picked Biden, an elder statesman. Bush, who was never known for being all that bright, picked Cheney, a technocrat who'd served in the White House before. Clinton, who was charismatic but not particularly wonkish, picked Gore, a dour intellectual. JFK, a northeastern liberal, picked Johnson, a southern conservative. And so on.

You forgot one: McCain, a man, picked Palin, a woman.

[Hentor the Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Patty O'Furniture

You forgot one: McCain, a man, picked Palin, a woman.

And also H. W. Bush, who was an intelligent older man, picked a retarded child.

[Biggirl]

Originally Posted by Hentor the Barbarian

And also H. W. Bush, who was an intelligent older man, picked a retarded child.

At first I thought you meant this about H.W.'s actual child.

[Robot Arm]

Originally Posted by silenus

It just got worse: he's choosing Paul Ryan as his VP.

This was reported on Friday evening. Isn't that when politicians usually choose to release unpopular news that they hope will be forgotten by Monday morning?

[Budget Player Cadet]

Originally Posted by Smapti

Romney has chosen one of the most polarizing people in Congress, who's only popular with the tea party fringe, who's best known achievement is proposing a massively unpopular budget plan that went down in flames.

This I'm less sure about. Yes, the Ryan plan is a disastrous pile of pig shit, but I have seen many people who are quite excited about it, including those not of the tea party fringe, and indeed not even of the republican party. Ryan/Romney seems like a pretty darn realistic ticket, tbh. Romney himself is seen by the base as rather questionable, because of his liberal history. So he brought in a hardline conservative to up his cred. It seems like a pretty smart move to me, once I set myself in the headspace of a republican. Man, it's not a pretty place in there.

[Hentor the Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Budget Player Cadet

This I'm less sure about. Yes, the Ryan plan is a disastrous pile of pig shit, but I have seen many people who are quite excited about it, including those not of the tea party fringe, and indeed not even of the republican party. Ryan/Romney seems like a pretty darn realistic ticket, tbh. Romney himself is seen by the base as rather questionable, because of his liberal history. So he brought in a hardline conservative to up his cred. It seems like a pretty smart move to me, once I set myself in the headspace of a republican. Man, it's not a pretty place in there.

The last polling I saw on the Ryan budget plan was about two-thirds opposed.

We all recall how popular privatizing Social Security was last time it was pushed.

You may be right that people outside the base will look favorably on this, but I don't think so, and I don't think the evidence is there for it either.

[jayjay]

And you can bet pretty solidly on the prediction that the American people are going to get an intensive education about what's actually IN the Ryan budget, courtesy of the Obama campaign. That's going to depress the enthusiasm for it, too.

[foolsguinea]

So, they're just going to try to get by on their looks, then?

Man, should have gone with Eric Cantor.

[silenus]

Originally Posted by foolsguinea

So, they're just going to try to get by on their looks, then?

Yes, as a matter of fact.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Originally Posted by Smapti

I'm just gonna go ahead and nominate this for Stupid Republican Idea of the 2012 Election Cycle. The traditional purpose of the VP pick is to "balance the ticket" and appeal to moderates by providing someone whose strengths match your weaknesses. Obama, a single-term senator, picked Biden, an elder statesman. Bush, who was never known for being all that bright, picked Cheney, a technocrat who'd served in the White House before. Clinton, who was charismatic but not particularly wonkish, picked Gore, a dour intellectual. JFK, a northeastern liberal, picked Johnson, a southern conservative. And so on.

Romney has chosen one of the most polarizing people in Congress, who's only popular with the tea party fringe, who's best known achievement is proposing a massively unpopular budget plan that went down in flames.

Is he not even trying anymore? Did the vetting process consist of "So, are you doing anything for the next couple months?" Or maybe Romney knows he's going to lose and he's decided to fail so spectacularly that the rest of the GOP goes down in flames with him as punishment for not being more enthusiastic about him?

He's also young, good looking, and more interesting than Romney without being so much better that he'll overshadow him. As a liberal who wants Obama to win, I'm not happy about the pick.

[foolsguinea]

Ptah. Eric Cantor's hotter, and hides his treacherous avarice behind a puppy dog face that looks dumb like a bag of rocks, which is a proven winning strategy. Ryan's just an evil pathological liar with piercing blue eyes. Bleh.

Also, he's a mackerel-snapper. The WASP party just put up a Mormon and a Papist? Do those cancel out or something? Yeah, Cantor's a Jew, but at least they don't try to proselytize you.

Granted, they could still win, but I'm going to mock them hard for the next twelve weeks.

[digs]

Originally Posted by foolsguinea

...Granted, they could still win, but I'm going to mock them hard for the next twelve weeks.

Here I was, thinking "I wish there was something I could do to help defeat the right-wingers"... but, hey, I can mock.
Like a boss.
Well, a boss that's snarky enough to do the mocking thing.

[Hentor the Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Really Not All That Bright

He's also young, good looking, and more interesting than Romney without being so much better that he'll overshadow him. As a liberal who wants Obama to win, I'm not happy about the pick.

Well, after such an astute analysis, you have me worried.

Yeah, I can see people clamoring to have a beer with Ryan.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Why are people saying Ryan's good-looking? I find him creepy, like a politico's aide who'll stick a shiv in anyone that gets in his way.

Romney at least looks like Central Casting's idea of a president.

[kaylasdad99]

Looks like Eddie Munster...

[Really Not All That Bright]

Originally Posted by Hentor the Barbarian

Yeah, I can see people clamoring to have a beer with Ryan.

Under a rock from 2000 to 2008, were you? I'd like to think the electorate no longer wants a president who will challenge it to flip cup.

[elucidator]

Drinks Coors. Bet me.

[boytyperanma]

Originally Posted by EddyTeddyFreddy

Why are people saying Ryan's good-looking? I find him creepy, like a politico's aide who'll stick a shiv in anyone that gets in his way.

Romney at least looks like Central Casting's idea of a president.

People are saying he's good looking because he's good looking.

With the descriptions of his work out routine I'd love to see some body shots.

All he'd have to do is not be Paul Ryan and I'd sleep with him in an instant.

[elucidator]

He looks like a regional sales manager for Amway.

[jsgoddess]

Originally Posted by EddyTeddyFreddy

Why are people saying Ryan's good-looking? I find him creepy, like a politico's aide who'll stick a shiv in anyone that gets in his way.

Romney at least looks like Central Casting's idea of a president.

He's got sad eyes. Even when he's smiling, he looks depressed.

[jayjay]

I don't get the "Ryan's SOOO dreamy" thing, either. From a face-on perspective, he's okay, but once you get around to the side you notice that he has a chin like Lady Elaine Fairchild and a nose like Bob Hope.

[Leaper]

He has some handsome features, but there's something about his eyes (and I'm not sure whether it bothers me looks-wise or because it says something about his emotions to me). And I saw a photo that made his hair look weird from the angle in which it was shot.

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by foolsguinea

So, they're just going to try to get by on their looks, then?

Man, should have gone with Eric Cantor.

Ewww.... Eric Cantor looks like a guy who got stuck half way through morphing into an actual snake. His pictures/images gives me the creeps. I don't think I could stand seeing him that often if he were the VP candidate.

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by kaylasdad99

Looks like Eddie Munster...

+1000

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by elucidator

Drinks Coors. Bet me.

That's only because he got called out for $700+ worth of wine while promoting a budget that would toss grandma off the cliff

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2...pinot-noir.php

[boytyperanma]

I'd say Paul Ryan is better looking then Erik Cantor. Erik Cantor is more likeable though. Likable here is rather relative though as when it comes down to them as a whole I wouldn't want to be in a room with either. Erik Cantor is a geek with the looks and personality to go with that stereotype. Paul Ryan is a jock and fits that stereotype quite well.

[fumster]

Originally Posted by Leaper

He has some handsome features, but there's something about his eyes (and I'm not sure whether it bothers me looks-wise or because it says something about his emotions to me). And I saw a photo that made his hair look weird from the angle in which it was shot.

He looks like he just heard that his girlfriend ran off with his teammate from wrestling and he's not sure which one he misses more.

[Anduinel]

71 -year-old man questions Paul Ryan, taken to the ground by police while Ryan laughs

Great choice of VP there, Mitt. Really.

[LavenderBlue]

Ryan really is that scummy. He wants cut in food safety so he can give the rich more money. And he wants to let seniors drop dead because they can't afford medical care but he calls himself pro-life.

Congrats Reps. My frustrations with Obama have evaporated. I'll happily go the polls just to vote against this fucking asshole.

[Gagundathar]

That was a really telling video.
Disturbing as well.
"I hope he took his blood pressure meds."

This can't look good at all.

[Ludovic]

Originally Posted by Gagundathar

That was a really telling video.
Disturbing as well.
"I hope he took his blood pressure meds."

This can't look good at all.

Paul Ryan mocks senior citizen who wants to keep his medicare. Says "I hope he's on his blood pressure medication!"

.....

[MacCat]

Are there no workhouses?

[elucidator]

Both Ryan and Romney strongly support "welfare to work" requirements to move lazy bums off welfare and put them to work. What work they are expected to do, and who will pay for the daycare are minor details that will be added at some future date.

[foolsguinea]

Hey, that's a Bill Clinton plan!

[Little Nemo]

Originally Posted by jayjay

I'm just aquiver at what the Obama campaign can put out there about Grandma-Starver...

Was the pun on Ryan's legislative record intentional?

[Muffin]

Originally Posted by elucidator

Both Ryan and Romney strongly support "welfare to work" requirements to move lazy bums off welfare and put them to work. What work they are expected to do, and who will pay for the daycare are minor details that will be added at some future date.

Hmmm . . . publicly funded day care?

[jayjay]

Originally Posted by Muffin

Hmmm . . . publicly funded day care?

Commernism!!!!1!

[jayjay]

Originally Posted by Little Nemo

Was the pun on Ryan's legislative record intentional?

It must have been, because I (the person who wrote that) don't see a pun?

[elucidator]

I tried that a bunch of times, nobody ever believed me. Might help if you can do the "puppy dog in the rain" big brown innocent eyes. Maybe.

[lance strongarm]

Originally Posted by elucidator

Both Ryan and Romney strongly support "welfare to work" requirements to move lazy bums off welfare and put them to work. What work they are expected to do, and who will pay for the daycare are minor details that will be added at some future date.

They can all work as daycare providers.

Dammit I'm clever sometimes!

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Originally Posted by Anduinel

71 -year-old man questions Paul Ryan, taken to the ground by police while Ryan laughs

Great choice of VP there, Mitt. Really.

Anybody notice the light changes from yellow to white when Ryan says "I hope he takes his blood pressure medication"?

[Hentor the Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Qin Shi Huangdi

Anybody notice the light changes from yellow to white when Ryan says "I hope he takes his blood pressure medication"?

I'm thinking that the video was edited from several different cameras. You can see that the one that follows the guy as he is taken to the ground appears to stay on him, while the video cuts to a shot of Ryan.

I hope that it isn't a misrepresentation. The video below is more extensive, and shows how Ryan was interrupted by a bunch of different folks, and had a witty quip after each interruption.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRhFnLeDdzM