Panelists answered the question: Do you believe choosing Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate will help Mitt Romney’s candidacy for president?
Julie Morris: “I was surprised to see Romney choose Ryan as a running mate. Thought he would opt for a moderate candidate to capture those crucial swing voters.”
Bill Mifsud: “Yes, his age is a factor. He relates well with the younger voters. He brings more energy to the ticket too. He also has strong ties to middle America and some of the battleground states are in the area he represents.”
Jim West: “No. Congressman Ryan is further to the right than Romney, in that sense he’ll solidify Mitt’s right-wing base. But with Ryan’s record on social security and Medicare he’s going to drive those moderate swing-voters away that Romney needs to win the presidency.”
Louise Ledesma: “No, it will bring in the tea party and far right but mainstream Americans have to be scared to death regarding his ideas. Ryan would turn Medicare into a voucher program which low-income seniors couldn’t afford. He wants to cut most federal spending on education, veterans, highways and food safety. He also proposes eliminating taxes on capital gains and dividends. Let’s make sure the 1% get richer!!”
Mary Zanger: “Paul Ryan speaks well, is articulate, and wants credibility and acceptance. On the other hand his budget proposals reveal his wars on Social Security and Medicare, health care and education. His tax proposals contain tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthy paid for by taxing the middle class and poor. Regardless of facts I think Americans will go for flash. So ‘yes’ Paul Ryan will help Romney.”
Ruth Erickson: “Yes! Ryan is articulate, knowledgeable and professional. He also brings a younger perspective to Romney’s campaign. In case of a presidential emergency and putting aside their political parties, who would be the best person to take over the running of this country, Obama’s Joe Biden or Romney’s Paul Ryan? It’s a shame we don’t get to vote for a vice president!”
Nants Foley: “The Ryan selection was obviously a nod to the Tea Party. I believe a better choice would have been a liberal Republican, snagging disenchanted former Obama supporters.”
Richard Place: “Yes I do. It always helps to have a running mate that knows how to read and reads it himself, instead of waiting to have staff tell them what to do.”
