Romney-Ryan on 60 Minutes – Media response: Crickets – Choice of Ryan Ignites Race – Thousands Show Up To Rally - Fund Raising Up in first 24 Hours

Ryan and Romney in Wisconsin - photo: Drudgereport.com


Four years ago when Sarah Palin gave her first CBS interview to Katie Couric, the media blitz was immediate and negative – thousands of articles appeared on Google outlining the highlights of once 7 hours interview edited to a short segment. Fast Forward four years to last night’s interview with CBS’s Bob Schieffer, which was announced by several news outlets in advance – with articles highlighting the choice of Ryan as “risky”.(Orlando Sentinel). The segment which aired at 7:00 pm (approximately after the U.S. Open), apparently did little to diminish Ryan or Romney. They faced off against Schieffer who was quickly “handled” by both Romney and Ryan when he trailed away from policy issues. Ryan’s, “that’s distracting from the issues” moved the topics forward. The interview, in its entirety is below.

CBS Interview with Romney and Ryan


The “risky” choice of Ryan, according to the media has framed the debate for the election as one that is ideological, however, one might also consider that the debate is now issues based – specifically the issue of the economy. Although the left, and the media are doing their darndest to tear about Ryan’s budget plan, there are zero links in articles to the actual plan on the Congressional Record's site, which is written in, shockingly, plain English. Normally, bills, budgets and resolutions are written in legislative jargon one must look at 60 days till Sunday to glean meaning (unless one is trained as a lawyer, or is a career politician – but not the average citizen). Therefore the claims of Ryan’s policy affecting Seniors, the Middle Class, and tax cuts for the “rich” – are not based on Ryan’s actual budget proposal. The key word there is – proposal. Ryan’s plan seeks to close loopholes on the highest income earners, it does not change Medicare one whit for those 55 or older, while suggesting an option of purchasing private pay plans for those under 55. The Ryan budget does, in fact, reduce taxes on the middle class. However, that’s a fairly mute point, considering Romney is at the top of the ticket and will be making the final decisions on budgets, of which he has his own. Romney made that clear in the 60 minute segment.

As to the choice as “risky” – that may be true if one were trying to attract the Progressive arm of the Democrat Party – otherwise, Ryan’s appeal was immediately evident as rally’s over the weekend saw crowds in the thousands waiting to hear the new V.P. nominee speak. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “VP candidate Ryan returns to Wisconsin to adoring crowd” – of 10,000 – in Waukesha. According to the U.S. Census that would be one in 7 of every single resident of the City of 70,000, 23.7% of which are under the age of 18. That’s quite a “homecoming” in a State that has been seen, until recently, as more of Democrat, rather than Republican in voter identity.

The Boston Globe reported on the rally crowds in North Carolina:

“A buoyant Mitt Romney and new running mate Paul Ryan propelled their bid for the White House through a series of boisterous events Sunday in the first day of extensive campaigning together since the former Massachusetts governor chose Ryan as his political partner.

His events having the energy of a rock concert, Romney fed on the fervor of the crowds, dispensing high fives, effusively praising his new pick, and at one point joined a chanting crowd: “Paul, Paul, Paul.”

Supporters stood in line for hours to get a glimpse of the new Republican ticket.”
(Of course, no article about Romney-Ryan would be complete without quotes from the White House.)

“Congressman Ryan is a right-wing ideologue, and that is reflected in the positions that he’s taken,” David Axelrod, a senior adviser to the Obama campaign, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “He is quite extreme — good, good person, you know, genial person — but his views are quite harsh.”

President Obama, who has sparred several times with Ryan over economic policies, made his first comments on Ryan’s selection during a fund-raiser in Chicago.
“I know him, I welcome him to the race,” Obama said. “He is a decent man, he is a family man, he is an articulate spokesman for Governor Romney’s vision. But it is a vision that I fundamentally disagree with.”

Axelrod and the “new kid on the block” Progressive Democrat Senate Candidate in MA, Elizabeth Warren, were on the attack immediately, Warren quipped ”'Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are a demolition team that will wreck our economy', specifically highlighting the economy (Springfield, MA Republican), which drew an immediate response from commenters that was less than kind to Ms. Warren’s point of view. One commenter noted that

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are a demolition team that will wreck our economy and leave working people and small businesses to struggle in the mess.

It's already a mess... is she kidding with this statement... what planet are you on
Ms. Warren?

(Read balance of 60 plus comments at the Springfield Republican’s, Masslive site here

The “risky” pick also had the effect of the campaign raising 3.5 Million (in 24 hours) after the Ryan announcement (thehill.com)

The Romney choice of Ryan is also shedding new interest on the V.P. debate that will take place between Vice President Biden and Paul Ryan, insuring a ratings boost for the network which will broadcast the October 11th Debate at Centre College in Danville, KY.

From this perspective Mitt Romney chose a Vice President he felt was first, capable of not only working within the administration, but that would be able to assume the Office of the Presidency. Romney took the risk of choosing Ryan as the State of Wisconsin is not as strategically important as, Florida (Rubio – electoral votes). Additionally, Romney who is focused on policy and economics, chose someone who is of a similar mindset - in doing so, he would have a Vice President that would work, rather than one which was used for the Senate tie-breaker as the occasion might present, or someone who was not involved in policy of any kind - in other words, a proverbial ribbon-cutter.

In addition, Ryan stands for his principals, and respectfully agrees to disagree, even with the President especially when it comes to numbers, budgets, and what might be in the aforementioned. Ryan comes armed with statistics and facts, not pulled out of left or right field, but from reliable and non-partisan sources – Ryan, as a choice, was not in the least risky, rather brilliant, and above all, one that would work for the American People, rather than one that is merely politically advantageous. Of course, one must expect that the Press and the Obama Campaign must stress the negatives in order to attempt to achieve parity, however, one can anticipate a compare and contrast, uplifting tone from the Romney-Ryan ticket.

Clinton Continues to Deny A Run for 2012 – Claims A Woman is Likely to Run.

A recent CBSNews article on Clinton's continued denial of a bid for the presidency in 2012, has more than a few of those leaving comments on the article a bit disappointed. The Secretary of State was asked the questions on foreign soil, while still in the position of Secretary of State, which would, in any sane scenario, be the wrong time and place to announce a bit for the White House. The most interesting remark that Clinton made in the article however, was in response to a New Zealand television interview, during a Q and A on the likelihood of the United States being open to electing a woman as president, after emphasizing it she, herself, would not run, Clinton stated:

"But it will be someone, and it is nice coming to countries that have already proven that they can elect women to the highest governing positions that they have in their systems,"

There is more speculation of a run by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and CBS has driven home a point that pushes those on the left of American politics around the bend. The article: “Palin Emerges with Even More Clout” in reference to the high percentage of candidates that won election in 2010 with Palin’s backing, goes on to speculate if, with the increased clout, Palin might run in 2012.

So what does the fascination by CBS have to do with anything other than, perhaps, ratings? CBS is driving by ratings, first, because these two woman are perhaps the most (by media standards) divisive in the nation. Secondly, according to some pundits, the networks have become cheerleaders, so to speak, for the Obama administration. However, one must look to these women, and other women in government, and the private sector, to understand that Clinton saying, “it will be someone”(CBS), means that there will, indeed be women candidates (including Clinton herself, more likely to make an announcement on American soil in mid 2011) in the 2012 field. As to how well a woman would fare against the pack of men that will assuredly be in the field, along with a media that is blatantly sexist, it is difficult to tell. Of course, should there be two women, from opposing political parties running for the White House, and gaining strength in primaries, the obvious would occur.


A recent election night interview on Fox News with Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin is worth watching. The video below highlights the fact that women are indeed, ready to stand up and not wait another 20 years before taking up the challenge. One must also note that speculation and the field of candidates will not take shape until mid-2011, when musings and reports of visits to Iowa and New Hampshire by a myriad group of possible, turns into actual announcements.

Trouble in the Empire State – Democrats in Chaos – New York Press Takes Sides

It is apparent that the political dynamics in the State of New York are in a state of confusion, at least as far as the Democrat Party is concerned – The Governor and the State Assembly have been the focus of headlines the past few days, none of which are flattering. Patterson, has no chance of being elected to a second term, according to a poll conducted by the New York Times - currently 7 in 10 New York residents feel Patterson should not maintain his office. In Albany, after a Democrat aided Republican takeover of the State Senate Monday, the Democrats had locked themselves in the Chamber in a fit of frustration, insuring that working for the people does not trump personal gain. What is truly interesting is the way in which the Democrats who sided with the Republican’s are being treated in the press:

From the New York Times:

We’re still puzzling out how these defections came about and what tawdry promises were made.

The Times; however was complementary when it came to the foot on the other side of the ideological driven editorial shoe of the paper:

Mr. Specter announced his unexpected switch of political loyalties on Tuesday, saying that he was leaving the Republican Party because it had shifted far to the right of his views and because he did not think he could overcome a primary challenge next year. His move bolstered President Obama at a pivotal moment for his policy agenda and further marginalizing Republicans on Capitol Hill by bringing the Democratic majority within reach of a filibuster-proof 60 seats in the chamber.

Therefore, according to the Times, should a Republican switch sides, he/she is making a smart move, however, should a Democrat, even at the State Level, does the same, that individual is treated to intense scrutiny. In the case of Espada and Monserrate, who voted with the New York Republicans to accomplish the change in power, the wrath of CBS (both the local affiliate and national news) is apparent. In every article regarding the event, mention is made of alleged improprieties on the part of both men (one for wearing an orange ski hat when confronted by an anchor, and the other regarding an alleged domestic dispute).

One wonders why these two Democrats are not being given the same excusatory treatment as Massachusetts Rep., Barney Frank received from this same New York Media, when faced with a prostitution scandal (one in which he admitted guilt). Had Frank represented New York in the Congress, they may have thrown a parade.

One Saving Grace: The New York Post - never fails to amuse and take a centered approach in its tabloid style: The Headline: ”Albany’s Bozos Are in the Dark”, most likely speaks to the sentiment of most of the New York Electorate.

Couric on Palin – Not so subtle deception by CBS

Last evenings CBS news broadcast with Katie Couric featured two interviews; one with John McCain followed by an interview with Sarah Palin. In the first segment, Ms. Couric, on the current financial situation, asked John McCain if he agreed with Sarah Palin in her statement that the United States was heading for another depression. CBS Video Here

Later during the Palin Interview, Couric first asks Palin if she believes that the United States is heading for a Great Depression, Palin answer was non-committal; she stressed the importance of a bi-partisan plan and noted that if nothing was done that could be a possibility. The question one has to ask is: How stupid does the Elite Media feel the American people are? Anyone watching this specific broadcast understood immediately that Couric was dishonest in her alleged reporting. It is precisely this type of media coverage that continues to help push rankings and subscriptions further in to the abyss. One thing is fairly certain, come November 5th, there will be a shift in the media; either they will become more embolden with the arrogance of self-perceived importance in swaying an American election, or they will be even more marginalized than they are today – blaming the internet repeatedly for their woes. The interesting aspect of the internet as a catalyst vis a vis declining viewership and subscribers is that these types of media have solid web presence; however, traffic is often a problem. The problem the networks and major daily papers have is simple: They don’t understand that they have lost the trust of a majority of Americans because their bias is not concealed; rather it has become glaringly apparent. Journalist should report - not pontificate (or campaign) – that is editorial content, not a report. Ms. Couric’s editorial interview with Sarah Palin is shown below.


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