this post was submitted on
353 points (75% like it)
519 up votes 166 down votes
shortlink:

politics

subscribe2,010,008 readers

1,661 users here now

r/Politics is for U.S. politics and news only.

For non-U.S. politics and news please consider /r/WorldPolitics or /r/WorldNews (N)

Please Do Not:

  • Editorialize the titles of your link submissions or they may be removed. Your headline should match the article's headline as closely as possible, to avoid misrepresenting the gist or facts of the article.

  • Post Self-Posts, except on Saturdays. On all other days they should be submitted to /r/PoliticalDiscussion.

  • Manipulate comments and posts via group voting, which is against reddit TOS - such content will be removed, and repeat offenders will be banned.

  • Use "BREAKING" in your titles. (*) as they will be removed

  • Post users' personal information (*) as they will be removed

  • Post images unless they are a political cartoon or a detailed infographic submitted from the original source.

  • Report a submission just because you don't like it. The report function is only for spam and inappropriate content. If you report something, please message the moderators as to the reason you feel it is inappropriate.

  • Use link shorteners or redirectors, or use ALL CAPS.

If you think your submission has been autobanned, please message the moderators.

Please include a permalink to your submission.

Register To Vote

The new /r/politics FAQ

Other related subreddits worth considering:

Requirement for sidebar listing: 1000 subscribers.

Full list of related subreddits, including those under 1000 subscribers

The moderators of /r/Politics reserve the right to moderate posts and comments at their discretion, with regard to their perception of the suitability of said posts and comments for this subreddit. Thank you for your understanding.

Follow us at

created by speza community for
to anything interesting: news article, blog entry, video, picture...
message the moderators

MODERATORS

reddit is a source for what's new and popular online. vote on links that you like or dislike and help decide what's popular, or submit your own! learn more ›

352
353

Scene inside Democratic National Committee headquarters as the Romney campaign announced Paul Ryan as running mate (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by edwardunknown

all 95 comments
sorted by:
best
best
top
new
hot
controversial
old

[–]bbosley 10 points11 points ago

As an Australian, this kinda goes over my head. Anyone care to explain?

[–]edwardunknown[S] 33 points34 points ago

Ryan put out a plan to turn Medicare, our beloved health care plan for seniors and probably the most risky thing for politicians to mess around with, into a ridiculous coupon scam. It was just an idea but for Democrats it was like divine intervention.

Now they can say "hey grandma, that's the guy who's gonna take away your free health care and give you coupons instead!"

[–]scoofy 24 points25 points ago

I mean... old people really love coupons though...

[–]dmanww 11 points12 points ago

but old folks love coupons

[–]B_Fee 4 points5 points ago

After 3 years of working in a pharmacy, I would say they love free drugs more.

[–]dmanww 1 point2 points ago

And honestly, who doesn't

[–]bbosley 2 points3 points ago

Thanks, had read something about that but wasn't totally sure that was the issue.

[–]sge_fan 15 points16 points ago

He's also the guy who thinks that the poor and middle class pay too little in taxes and that they should pay more so billionaires can get another tax break. He is actually only one of the many guys in the GOP supporting this, but he's the one who came up with the official plan.

[–]RobbyNozick -1 points0 points ago

Any socialized medicine drives up the cost, which is bullshit when they are stealing the money from me to drive up the cost of my private healthcare.

Screw seniors and poors, they ain't working.

[–]Soltheron 1 point2 points ago

[Insert shitty and factually wrong statement here]; also, me me me me me.

—Libertarians and Objectivists.

[–]MattPH1218 2 points3 points ago

Keep in mind, you will receive nothing but incredibly diluted, biased opinions here. You may have well have asked r/liberal why they love NPR. You inspired a circle jerk, sir.

[–]jschild 0 points1 point ago

He's also the guy who can out with a plan to solve the deficit, except it took 70 years to do so.

[–]Belaires 29 points30 points ago

I actually thought this was a strategically good move. It legitimizes Romney to the right and motivates people to vote for him. Frankly, I am more worried now.

[–]jemayb 29 points30 points ago

Romney was already going to get the right's vote because he's not Obama. It's the middle he needs, and picking an Ayn Rand standard-bearer does not help too much.

[–]eddiemon 9 points10 points ago

You would be surprised at how much appeal Ryan has based on his portrayed image as a pragmatist (to people who identify as moderates).

Also, given that Romney wasn't popular among the right wing of the GOP, I think you underestimate the value of energizing the Tea Partiers. That's a lot of money and organizing power.

[–]frickindeal 0 points1 point ago

If there's anything the Romney campaign lacks, it's not money.

[–]shanemeh 5 points6 points ago

He probably made one of the worst decisions you could for vp. Simply put it, they vp candidate need to pull in a huge demographic, which in this case that would be the Hispanic vote. While we all know Marco Rubio wouldn't of done it, he probably would of been the best choice. He needed someone that wouldn't bring in the same exact votes.

If the Romney team thinks that this can up his street cred with the GOP they're sadly mistaken. Even unenthusiastic republicans still vote. That's not exactly true with democrats, but damn the GOP comes out in flocks.

[–]melete 2 points3 points ago

So that's why Joe Biden pulls in the... Amtrak vote?

[–]MechaKnight 6 points7 points ago

Obama was already an unusual candidate that attracted a specific demographic. Joe Biden was meant to be more mainstream and represent the establishment to reassure voters that wanted a familiar face in office.

Romney and Ryan are practically identical in many ways so this doesn't expand his demographic at all. It might increase voter turnout among the demographic he already had locked down, but that's it.

[–]melete 0 points1 point ago

Ryan is considerably more popular among conservative Republicans than Romney is. That's the big play, beyond possibly putting Wisconsin in motion.

[–]nylonbandoleers 1 point2 points ago

Obama needed stability after his primary race with Hilarity. He already would be the first black president, so not flashy Joe Biden was a solid choice. McCain was the reverse, and went too flashy in his choice.

Romney is basically a white manbot, and adding Paul Ryan doesn't help his foreign policy chops, expand demographics, or even his alleged "business" angle. As others have been saying, Ryan doesn't get anyone new voting for Romney.

[–]melete 0 points1 point ago

To be fair, the Romney strategy is that foreign policy doesn't matter. This election is the economy, and ideology. Romney-Ryan is the austerity ticket, while Obama-Biden is a bit more stimulus (but still a lot of austerity, really).

Expanding demographics: non-Asian minorities are a Democratic demographic, whites/asians more Republican. The real demographics in play here aren't ethnicities but independent women, suburban independents, white working class, etc. I don't think a Rubio would have done anything to target demos that mattered.

[–]busbusdriver -1 points0 points ago

It makes me think of Dogbert's run for president, when his running mate's job was to be so unpopular that no one would want to assassinate the president. Cheney was the epitome of that.

[–]JungleBird 1 point2 points ago

Paul Ryan's demographic is young moderates. Particularly college educated people in their late 20s and 30s, who know there is no way that SS and Medicare are sustainable for them to receive the benefits that they currently provide for the elderly, and who want a balanced budget so they don't spend their highest earning years taxed to pay off the debts of their parents.

[–]jchapstick 0 points1 point ago

"wouldn't of"?

[–]cogman10 1 point2 points ago

I disagree.

One of Romney's big problems is that he is too moderate for a lot of the republicans. Things like the Mass. Health care act put him in a pretty bad light. On top of that, him being mormon is going to be a big issue for a large portion of the Christian voters, big enough that many of them have publicly said that they just wouldn't show up to the poll booths.

Ryan is a good pick because he is generally liked by both the hardcore christians and the far right demographics.

Now, this MAY piss off some swing voters, but I think that Romney is going to try to use his position of being more moderate to counter balance that. (I think that his campaign is counting on the fact that most people don't care about running mates, so long as the running mate doesn't make a fool of themselves on SNL).

[–]edwardunknown[S] 8 points9 points ago

Except now people are going to be talking about Medicare vouchers until November. Medicare is most important as an issue in Florida and Ohio , two states Romney has to win if he's going to be president.

[–]mastermike14 -1 points0 points ago

and they will not like the voucher system. Thats why we havent heard from Paul Ryan in a long time. That guy lost alot of popularity with his voucher plan

[–]Wingineer 3 points4 points ago

I agree, I thought he was a good choice. Romney is a rather moderate politician, despite what Reddit may say. By picking Ryan, Romney just energized a huge segment(25%+) of the American voters to actually be enthusiastic to vote for him.

[–]bobartig -1 points0 points ago

You mean despite what Mitt may say. Romney has a moderate record but he's been disavowing it for months in order to court the right. Where have you been?

[–]d38sj5438dh23 0 points1 point ago

This will actually be a good /r/politics thread to bookmark. When Obama loses in a few months, we can all look back and have a good chuckle.

[–]edwardunknown[S] 0 points1 point ago

Too late, mods censored it. Took them longer than usual this time, they must sleep in Saturdays.

[–]fido5150 -2 points-1 points ago

It's only a strategically good move if he's trying to lose the election.

He has to try to appeal to the broadest swath of voters, and his running mate is supposed to help with that, not simply solidify his base.

Romney already had the base locked up. Who else are they going to vote for?

Plus Ryan's budget has been eviscerated several times, and now gives the Democrats some concrete talking points about how they plan to fiscally run the country.

Let's just say that's a liability to everyone except the Republican hard-liners.

It's really not surprising though, since Mitt lacks any real conviction or personality, he had to 'import' somebody who has a little bit of it, at least.

[–]cheviot 26 points27 points ago

The only way it could be better for the Democrats if he selected Michelle Bachman or Rand Paul.

[–]Vindictive29 26 points27 points ago

I have a better idea... He should have Bachman, Paul and Ryan form a corporation and the corporation should be his running mate!

Alternatively, he could just Frankenstein them together into one homunculus...

[–]Bhangbhangduc 8 points9 points ago

I like the Frankenstein idea... The Republican Centipede!

[–]Vindictive29 0 points1 point ago

You never go ass to mouth... unless you're a Republican.

[–]davebond 9 points10 points ago

It's trickle down economics.

[–]Cylinsier 7 points8 points ago

When you're a Republican, shit comes out of both ends anyway.

[–]Elzam 0 points1 point ago

Semantics. Republican mouths are asses.

[–]Bhangbhangduc 0 points1 point ago

But what kind god would put an ass inside a Cunt?

[–]Xavs42 0 points1 point ago

Sorry if this is purely a joke and all, but could he actually do that? I know a number of states have discussed giving corporations equal rights as people in some areas, etc. but could he actually?

[–]Vindictive29 0 points1 point ago

Couldn't do it. Requirements for the office of the Vice Presidency specify:

The Twelfth Amendment states that "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."[16] Thus, to serve as Vice President, an individual must:
Be a natural-born U.S. citizen;
Be at least 35 years old
Have resided in the U.S. at least 14 years.[17]

So you'd have to prove that the corporation qualified under the term "natural born U.S. citizen" and that it met age and residency requirements.

Citi-Bank would be a better running-mate anyway. They already own half of congress.

[–]Xavs42 0 points1 point ago

Ah. Makes sense. Was still in a morning haze, couldn't think it through. Thanks.

[–]L15t3r0f5m3g 0 points1 point ago

Or Phalin.

[–]Negro_Napoleon 4 points5 points ago

FUCK YEAH SCI---oh wait...

[–]Phellan 6 points7 points ago

I wish I still had the faith in humanity to upvote this.

[–]s1am 13 points14 points ago

I'm surprised he is willing to disclose the identity of his VP choice....

[–]edteach 8 points9 points ago

Ann Romney said that by identifying the choice as an American citizen over 35 that Mitt had given "you people all you need to know."

[–]Team_Braniel 3 points4 points ago

I mean really! Just STFU and eat cake already! Fuck!

[–]Delror -1 points0 points ago

Whoa whoa whoa. Did she seriously say that?

[–]edteach 0 points1 point ago

Haha no but that's essentially what she said about their taxes

[–]HouseSpeaker 2 points3 points ago

I really thought he'd pick Exxon.

[–]ultrablastermegatron 2 points3 points ago

that's a big person.

[–]HouseSpeaker 0 points1 point ago

Corporations are people, my friend.

[–]frickindeal 0 points1 point ago

Not as big as Chris Christie.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

You idiots would hate anyone he picks so what's the difference?

[–]ultrablastermegatron 2 points3 points ago

Huntsman would have been alright. Idiot.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

Yeah he would have been great. Comment was regarding Obama fans

[–]backpackwayne 4 points5 points ago

My only regret is that I have only one upvote to give.

[–]hayf28 0 points1 point ago

When I read that I flipped it in my head and read Ron Paul and got really really confused.

[–]patricksaurus 1 point2 points ago

I think everyone is going to be incredibly surprised at how popular Paul Ryan is with the portion of the Republican party that doesn't really love Romney.

[–]Frankenfish 1 point2 points ago

Romney is going to get a boost in the polls, I expect him to be ahead of Obama for at least a month because of this

I want Obama to win, but I don't like how cocky people here are acting about the VP choice

[–]putupyourdukes 1 point2 points ago

Mccain got the same boost. Wait until he opens his mouth.

[–]Team_Braniel 0 points1 point ago

Right, this can only bring both men down even further.

[–]randomrealitycheck 0 points1 point ago

While I thought there were a few better choices Romney could have gone with, Paul isn't bad overall. He will cement the right wing - who just yesterday were calling for donors to stop giving to Romney until he fired his spokesperson.

We're not hearing a lot about that today, are we?

Still, with less than 90 days left before the election, I don't see Ryan giving Romney a big enough bump in the polls to put them in the White House.

The one question I have is, will Ryan be resigning his House seat? If so, that one could be flipped to the Democrats.

[–]ultrablastermegatron 0 points1 point ago

nice! can the democrats in the house demand he resign his seat? could be some fun games.

[–]randomrealitycheck 0 points1 point ago

nice! can the democrats in the house demand he resign his seat? could be some fun games.

Well, is he running for the VP spot or representing his constituency in Wisconsin? I don't believe he can effectively do both.

[–]Frankenfish 0 points1 point ago

This how we lose, we assume we have this in the bag and then no one gets out and votes.

Despite Ryan being a whack job, I don't see Mitt actually losing supporters over it.

[–]ultrablastermegatron 0 points1 point ago

he'll loose a few points, that's all it could take.

[–]MattPH1218 0 points1 point ago

Remember SOPA and PIPA? None of you seem to like to talk about how he was one of the biggest advocates against it in Congress...

[–]dried_up_waterparks 0 points1 point ago

I think people in this thread are missing why this can be advantageous for Obama.

Ryan may seem popular now, but he hasn't received all that much attention outside of the beltway when compared to a presidential candidate. The Obama campaign now has the opportunity to define Ryan and Romney as out of touch elitists who don't understand what its like to have to shoulder drug and healthcare costs.

You'll see that narrative start to form, and I'm actually pretty confident a lot of it will stick. Ryan has touched the third rail of American politics. I'm actually shocked that this was his VP pick.

[–]tophat_jones -1 points0 points ago

Yeah, but you still have to vote to keep those greedy cocksuckers from winning.

[–]imanimalent -3 points-2 points ago

Republicans are either owned by the Democrats or are totally brain dead. McCain and Palin - I believe Palin frightened the Republicans more than she did anyone else - and I wouldn't be surprised if the Republicans coached the Democrats in the best way to screw her over. And Romney? I think this will guarantee that ObamaCare will be left pretty much untouched, and DHS and TSA will be given a little more teeth to subdue those pesky picketers and evil Tea Partiers.

[–]Jamagnum -1 points0 points ago

And yet they'll still probably find a way to lose...

[–]leothelion812 -2 points-1 points ago

Not only was there just Mitt to get shit on for his enormous shenanigans, but now we have a newbie! Shits about to hit the fan for Ryan

[–]douglasmacarthur 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, they were real concerned Romney might have picked a candidate that appeals to the type of person that posts on /r/politics. They dodged a bullet when they found out you guys hate him.

The market of people putting money on who's going to win implied Romney had a 38.1% chance of winning in the hours before the Ryan pick was leaked last night. Now it implies a 39.4% chance. Doesn't look like he hurt Romney's chances.

[–]ultrablastermegatron 0 points1 point ago

that'll change. and I like those odds.

[–]ConservativeAtheist -2 points-1 points ago

As a conservative from wisconsin right now

[–]ultrablastermegatron 0 points1 point ago

this doesn't make sense. fuck you cause ryan got the vp select? or fuck you cause Ryan is going to cost Romney the presidency? either way, your state is going blue, thanks.

[–]dr_mike_rithjin -2 points-1 points ago

*Scene inside my bedroom when I realised I don't have to choose between Obama or Romney.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. © 2012 reddit inc. All rights reserved.

REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc.

π Rendered by PID 32545 on app-104 running 9d743ae.