Mitt Romney Picks Paul Ryan as Vice Presidential Running Mate:
NORFOLK, Va.—Mitt Romney picked Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, a decision that could spark enthusiasm for the Republican ticket among conservatives and all but ensures the election will turn to deep philosophical divisions between the two parties over spending, taxes and entitlements.
In Mr. Ryan, 42 years old, the Romney campaign gets a conservative who has spent recent years at the center of national debates about the size and scope of the federal government. With his proposals to revamp entitlement programs for future retirees and the poor, he has become a hero to conservatives and a target for liberals.
Mr. Romney praised Mr. Ryan as "an intellectual leader of the Republican Party" who also has "shown an ability to work with both parties to find common ground" on tough issues. "I don't know anyone who doesn't respect his character and judgment," he said in front of USS Wisconsin, a World War II battleship that now is a museum and carries the name of Rep. Ryan's home state.
Being involved in politics invariably means being disappointed. In order to accomplish anything, you are often forced to compromise on the policies you want to see enacted and the people you want to see pushing them through. Most of the time, politics involves settling and learning to love the one you're with.
For me, having Paul Ryan as the GOP running mate is a rare time in politics when I get to see my wishes realized. My wife mentioned that Ryan is younger than both of us (by a couple of years) which made me realize that he's a Gen Xer. I believe that would make him the first member of our generation to be on either the GOP's or Dem's top ticket and may also explain why he has so much appeal. No Boomer he.
This is a great day and choosing Ryan is a great way for Romney to engage and energize conservatives with reservations about him. Now we need to carry that through now until November and win this thing.
THE NIHILIST CHIMES IN: Paul Ryan is the most substantive politician of our generation. Any reluctance I had to see him on the ticket came from my concern that he be in the position where he has the most power to implement his vision. The vice presidency still seems to me to be a weak platform. However, if Mitt Romney and the Congress allow it, Ryan could play a leading role in reforming America. I, for one, pray that this happens.
