The significance for America of Romney’s choice of Ryan as VP

Larry Kummer, Editor

12 years ago

Summary: Let’s consider the significance of VP Paul Ryan. My conclusion: it makes little difference. In our system the key decisions were made during the primaries, especially during the earliest months — when few paid attention.

This is America in the 21st century, irony ascendant. Ryan is chairman of the House Budget Committee — the House being the senior chamber on money bills — with his primary distinction being his inability to craft a plan that adds up. Or remotely matches GOP priorities, or any rational sense of national priorities.

In this respect Ryan matches his running mate, whose economic proposals are ruining the reputations of the experts who signed them.

The saddest aspect of this pair of charlatans is that they’ll be treated as serious statesman — obsequiously so — by the legion of journalist-stenographers who will dog their footsteps until November.

No, that’s wrong. The saddest aspect of this is that it marks the second time the GOP has nominated a team woefully unqualified for the Presidency. The elderly crank and his Alaskan fruitcake VP. And now the innumeracy twins. All living proof that our political system broke years ago, and we didn’t notice.

But half of America will love them, applauding their every word. Just as the Democrats will applaud Mr. Hope And Change, despite that he broke most of his 2008 campaign pledges — and their hearts. It’s all about tribes today. Who we are (or pretend to be), rather than policies.

Now for the good news:

It might not matter much difference who wins. Our candidates are much like our beers, indistinguishable in blind taste tests.

Obama’s economic and foreign policy largely continued those of Bush Jr. If elected, Romney probably will continue most of Obama’s policies. Both are servants of the ruling elites in America, running America while we doze before our TVs. That gives the system continuity and stability unappreciated by its critics.

The much discussed bitter polarization exists in rhetoric only, disguising the lack of substantive policy differences. Since they plan to do similar thing, their marketing pros turn up the volume. My candidate is an reforming angel of God; your’s is Hitler-Satan.

Now you can skip the rest of the campaign, except as entertainment (it’s primary function).

Updates

Transcript of presidential candidate Mitt Romney announcing his selection of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, as released by the Romney campaign.

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The posts from the 2008 election could have the names changed and be run again.

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