Mitt Romney's selection of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan as the GOP's Vice Presidential nominee in the fall, Democrats appear to be licking their chops over the prospects.
That appears to be one of the major takeaways from a snap poll conducted by Patch over the weekend after Ryan was introduced as part of the Republican Party's Presidential ticket.
Patch asked more than 50 Democrats to weigh in on the choice and received 23 responses.
When asked if by adding Ryan to the ticket, Missouri Democrats can win by running against Ryan's existing budget plans and particularly his proposal for Medicare, more than 91 percent agreed in some form.
Ryan, as chairman of the House Budget Committee, has backed a budget plan, which proposes large changes to Medicare, Medicaid and tax rates.
"The Ryan budget can be sold as a very radical plan that significantly reduces the Feds support of some very popular programs. By attacking this budget they attack the ticket and punish them both in the eyes of those most concerned about certain entitlements and fed programs people have grown accustomed to," wrote one respondent.
"His selection will anchor seniors and independents to the Obama side," said another.
It could make for an interesting Vice Presidential debate, another offered:
"The Obama team will have a challenge questioning Ryan on his proposals since he has a well thought out plan to face the bulging deficits. I can hear him posing a "what would you do" face off question when he debates Vice-President Biden."
But whether the choice is enough to put the Show-Me State back into play as a swing state in November is still an open question among Patch panelists, as laid out by their comments:
- "Ryan is too conservative for Missouri"
- "Missouri is a Republican state and this pick doesn't move the needle for either camp."
- "Ryan will strengthen the position of the Republican Party in Missouri and make the state's conservatives even more determined. The real question is how will elderly voters, who lean conservative, feel about his Medicare proposals."
- It helps McCaskill contrast with Akin and highlight extremism
Only one respondent made reference to the last GOP nominee for Vice President.
"He (Ryan) is smart, relatively well known and well spoken. He is a breath of fresh air, I am sure, after the debacle that was Sarah Palin," the person said.
"I have not spoken to my Republican friends about the pick but I would imagine most will like Romney's pick. So do I and that might give them some pause!" they continued.
What do you think--will the Ryan pick make a difference in Missouri?
As for Ryan and his budget, Ryan is not a “fiscal conservative" since fiscal conservatives despise deficits and debts. But Ryan's “Roadmap for America’s Future” adds $60 trillion to the national debt and doesn't balance anything until 2060! Ryan’s revised plan wouldn’t reach balance until the 2030s while adding $14 trillion in debt. It adds $6 trillion in debt over the next decade alone — yet Republicans had the cajones to say they wouldn’t raise the debt limit! Stay classy, GOP.
Sorry Mr. Aspen. Think again: http://tinyurl.com/8d6wc8q
I'm curious if you also blamed Republican Presidents like Reagan and the Bushes for the debt that was incurred under those administrations? Similiarly, did you blame George W Bush for the financial and economic collapse that occured at the end of his adminstration?
Today we are a nation at war. And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror: They would retreat, declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that would make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child's play. About this, I have no doubt.
Now, I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, and finding and executing Osama bin Laden. And I agree with him on eliminating Al Qaida and terror worldwide. Now, if I fight on, in my campaign, all the way to the convention... ... I want you to know, I've given this a lot of thought -- I'd forestall the launch of a national campaign and, frankly, I'd make it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win. Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This isn't an easy decision. I hate to lose. My family, my friends, you, my supporters across the country, you've given a great deal to get me to where I have a shot to becoming president. If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been only about me. I entered this race -- I entered this race because I love America. And because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country. AUDIENCE: No! No! I will continue to stand for conservative principles. I'll fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of the things we believe in is that we cannot allow the next president of the United States to retreat in the face of evil extremism.