Politics & Government

The Paul Ryan VP Pick: What Does It Mean In Missouri?

Mitt Romney's selection for a Vice-Presidential pick could have impact on November here in races beyond the White House.

After NBC News first reported the selection Friday night, Wisconsin U.S. Representative Paul Ryan was formally introduced to the nation as Mitt Romney's running mate on the GOP ticket Saturday morning during an event in front of the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Norfolk, VA.

Ryan had traction when asked who they thought should get the nod, finishing in third place behind U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

At least one participant in that survey, reached overnight, said she was disappointed by the selection.

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"Paul Ryan not my pick - Romney needs someone more electric, we need all the help we can get - GOP seems to not get it. Same old same old isn't working - still don't have enough young people or allure of message."

Another participant said early Saturday "the Ryan pick will help put the focus of the campaign on the budget. That highlights the problem of our time: getting our fiscal house in order. And that, plays to Romney's reputation as a corporate fix-it guy. It's a strong ticket."

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State Senator John Lamping, not a Patch survey participant, tweeted support for the pick, saying "Ryan is a Fiscal Conservative for a Fiscal Crisis."

Greenfield (WI) Patch:

In Missouri, Romney has a lead of up to 9 points over President Obama according to a variety of polls gathered by RealClearPolitics.

Ryan has gained acclaim for his work as the chair of the House Budget Committee, which produced the so-called "Ryan Budget" which as NBC News reports, "Substantially restructures Medicare; cuts Medicaid, food stamps, and transportation infrastructure; and it reduces the top tax rate from 35% to 25%.

U.S. Representative Todd Akin (R-Wildwood), now the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate race against incumbent Claire McCaskill (D-Kirkwood), served on the House Budget Committee with Ryan and endorsed the budget plan.

McCaskill was already on the attack via Twitter as Ryan was still speaking at the announcement, saying "The part of Ryan-Akin budget I hate the most? Cutting Medicare and then giving those cuts to the mega wealthy. Wrong."

Akin's campaign had not commented about the selection as of early Saturday morning.

Tell us what you think this pick means for Missouri in the comment section. 


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