Paul Ryan, Congressional Candidate? Oh, Right
Q. How did you react to the news that Ryan was chosen?
A. I started texting friends, like you, all through the night. I worked right across all time zones and ended with Republican Party Chairman Dave Sablan in Guam — where America’s next day begins. So when you think about it, I texted so much I texted into the future.
Q. Do you view Ryan’s congressional race as an “insurance policy” since Intrade is now waging that President Obama has a 74% chance of winning reelection?
A. I have the same goal I have had for the last 16 years — get Paul Ryan re-elected to Congress. Same fine candidate. Same goal. In the process, I am hoping our modest efforts help the bigger effort.
Q. What is it like to be a political strategist and to have a long-time congressional client run for reelection while he is also running for VP?
A. It is a cross between being picked in the second grade to lead the class to lunch and being as happy as Robert De Niro in Goodfellas when Joe Pesci is told he is a “made man.”
Q. Has Paul Ryan’s congressional campaign message changed since he was chosen as Romney’s VP?
A. Yes, it has. The new message is: “Vote Twice for Ryan.”
Q. Has Paul Ryan changed at all since you were involved with his first congressional campaign in 1998?
A. He’s either gotten a lot smarter, or I have gotten a lot dumber. He knows the budget at a level that is astounding.
Q. Have you had much contact with Ryan since he was tapped as VP?
A. At the Republican National Convention in Tampa we had a very nice 15 minutes in his hotel suite that got extended to 20 minutes. He reviewed his congressional spots and got to talk with his congressional and campaign staff. I remember him saying: “It’s just surreal. You get off the plane and into the car to speed downtown — and the highway has been closed for you.”
Q. Has Ryan’s congressional campaign media budget increased or decreased as a result of his being on the national ticket?
A. Increased a little. We added trumpeters to ride on a flat-bed truck throughout the district prior to the vice presidential debate. Actually, we cancelled the trumpeters and bought an extra week or two of Madison, Wisconsin, television.
Q. Is this situation good for business at Wilson Grand? I notice a TV ad for Ryan is prominently featured on Wilson Grand’s home page.
A. We make commercials that are different. They typically feature the candidate (that’s a real inside joke in political advertising now, because most spots do not). Ours for Paul Ryan always have. Paul Ryan liked that style, and Frank Luntz and Lowell Baker of the Luntz Group and Gene Ulm of Public Opinion Strategies and Andy Speth, Ryan’s longtime keeper of the flame, really wanted that style on display. They wanted Paul Ryan talking to people about the most important issues of the day. That’s what we gave them. Barely a super to be found and only a tiny tiny drop of music on some of them. You’ve heard of the “full Nelson” wrestling hold — well these TV spots are a “full Ryan.”
Since this piece was written, Intrade’s odds of President Obama’s reelection chances have declined to 65% down from 74% as mentioned in the piece. Intrade is a fluid prediction market with constantly changing numbers.
http://www.intrade.com/v4/home/
How about even if the Romney ticket wins – Ryan decides to go to congress than the VP mansion? Would he not be a big help in the House for the Republicans and the rest of hardworking America? – Romney’s feet will need to be held to the fire for him to deliver on his tax/budget promises.
Depends on who his replacement for VP would be. Maybe a hawk like Allen West? I have a feeling if the P and VP were voted on as separate offices, Romney would win somewhat handily, but Ryan either loses or squeaks by.
As Obama’s cover story comes down, the curtain goes up on the USAO’s cover-up of J.J., Jr.’s role in the Blago story
http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2012/10/05/as-obamas-cover-story-comes-down-the-curtain-goes-up-on-the-usaos-cover-up-of-j-j-jr-s-role-in-the-blago-story/
Fabulous interview, Sister Myra. Very insightful.
Lyin’ Ryan’s model for his political philosophy is Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand is required reading for all Lyin’ Ryan’s staff. From Wiki:
1) Ayn Rand “supported rational and ethical egoism, and rejected ethical altruism.”
2) “Ethical egoism is the ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest.” So, Ryan approves of doing anything in his (& his ilk’s) self-interest.
3) “Ethical altruism is an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary, at the sacrifice of self-interest.” So, Ryan REJECTS A NEED TO HELP OTHERS if it conflicts with his self-interest.
Rand was an atheist which makes sense as there is nothing Christian in this moral philosophy, in fact it’s 180 degrees away from Christ’s main message of “care for the least among us.” How is Ryan a Christian with this moral philosophy?
If this self-centered a$$hole makes it into the Oval Office, then the poor, disadvantaged and the struggling lower class are in deep, deep trouble. He’s scary, very scary.
Not as scary as you scary Mary. Nothing of what you say is even remotely true. The poor and downtrodden have been victimized by the Progressive philosophy – unless you think food stamps and welfare provide a good life. So let’s just keep doing it your way. Take all the money you want from the productive, create all the programs you want for the non-productive and let’s see where society goes.
Hey Mendacious Mary, would you like to go back and read about Ryan instead of Ayn Rand?
Paul does not Use Ayn Rand as his political model. He uses the theme of her novel, “Atlas Shrugged” as a loosely based model.
I’ll tell you who’s scary, it’s Progs like you who extrapolate from something you read in Wikipedia (for pete’s sake!) and go all nutso over.
Paul Ryan is a staunch Catholic and certainly would not follow the life of Ayn Rand as his model. I heard him tell about why “Atlas Shrugged” was the novel that helped firm his political convictions. He specifically said he did not follow her lifestyle. I know Progs have a hard time differentiating a book from its author, but try hard. I know, I know, thinking is haarrd!
Take a cool glass of water and settle down before you stroke out over something that isn’t true!!