Galindez writes: "Ryan said what Americans want to hear, he painted a picture of himself that does not resemble his record."
Paul Ryan delivering his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. (photo: AP)
Paul Ryan Delivers a Great Lie
30 August 12
s I sat and watched Paul Ryan deliver his address to the Republican National Convention, I tried to view it from the perspective of someone who doesn't know much about Paul Ryan. What I was looking for was how the speech would play to voters who only start paying attention during the political conventions. I was also listening for the sound bites that would energize different voting blocs.
First Impression
If this had been my introduction to Paul Ryan, I would have been impressed. He painted himself as an intelligent, passionate guy who wants to put Americans back to work. I thought he was someone I'd like to work with, or have a beer with. He seemed like the kind of guy I would be proud to call my son. If I were a senior, I would trust him to protect my Medicare. If I didn't know that the Republicans had refused to compromise on anything over the last four years, I would be blaming everything on Obama too.
If I didn't already know what he really stands for, I might even think Paul Ryan would make a good Vice President.
Was the Speech Effective?
When Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan, I knew what he stood for, but I really had no idea if he was a good campaigner. I wondered if he could deliver a good stump speech. He delivered last night, and gained my respect as a campaigner. If Mitt Romney weren't speaking tonight, I would expect a nice bump for the GOP based on Ryan's performance. The Democrats can look at Ryan as an easy target, but had better not get overly confident - Ryan is a skilled, shrewd politician, not a pushover.
So, I'm probably making you a little nervous. You might be thinking I'm giving Ryan a glowing review. He was articulate, he inspired his base, he resonated with swing voters. The problem, however, is that he went first, and he lied. The Democrats will have four days next week to change people's impressions. Ryan said what Americans want to hear; he painted a picture of himself that does not resemble his record.
Medicare
Paul Ryan's Achilles' heel has always been his plan to privatize Medicare. Ryan's plan would turn Medicare into a voucher program. But if you listened to him last night, you would think he is the great protector of Medicare and that Obama was raiding it to pay for his other programs. Instead of trying to defend Ryan's plan, the Republican ticket has decided to go on the offense and accuse Obama of deep cuts to Medicare. The problem once again is that they are lying. Obama did cut a controversial program that gave money to private insurance companies to cover seniors instead of giving them Medicare coverage. There was money shifted from payments to hospitals as a result of a deal with those hospitals who will be benefiting from other parts of Obama Care. There were not the massive cuts to Medicare that Romney and Ryan seem to be focusing their campaign on.
Auto Industry
Did he really go there? Obama has been credited with saving the auto industry. So instead of trying to avoid the issue, Paul Ryan decided to tell another big lie to change people's perceptions: Ryan accused Obama of failing to keep an auto plant in his hometown open. The problem is that the plant closed one month before Obama took office.
Paul Ryan gave a great speech. It remains to be seen if voters will continue to view him as a smart guy they admire and would love to work with, or as a snake oil salesman who delivered a great lie.
Scott Galindez was formerly the co-founder of Truthout, and is now the Political Director of Reader Supported News.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
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Ronald Reagan.
The problem is that the dems will now put on their own spectacle and "spin" things in such a way that the rethugs will accuse them of lying and so it will become a he says she said tit for tat spat instead of an intelligent critique of what the rethugs actually said and a chance for the dems to lay out a clear and concrete alternative such that could simply say: if you make less than XXX $ a year you should vote for us and this is why.
If the dems were smart (which of course they aren't) they would simply use clips from the republican convention as "teachable moments" to go through exactly where the rethugs have been lying but more imporantly how their policies hurt the very tea party base that the rethugs are trying to "energize." it would also provide an opportunity for the dems to talk directly to the undecided about how, desite their attempts to present themselves as rational talkers of truth (as Christie tried to present things) that they are actually dangerous extremist fanatics that should scare the shit out of the undecided (not to mention the rest of us). However, rest assured that the dems will present their own theater of the absurd spectacle and miss another golden opportunity. Unfortunately, i think the rethugs tend to put on a "better show" and their message (even if it is not true) is clearer and sounds more consistant and dare i say "common sensical" than the dems.
There actually was -- FINALLY! -- some sensible (really!) response from the media. Here's a link from Daily Kos where you can check out 25 media sources that pointed out the Ryan lies:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/30/1125935/-LYIN-RYAN-ALL-THE-MEDIA-PUSHBACK?detail=hide
The key is to tell the American people without sounding shrill that what the Republicans say does not make sense. If Obama's welfare reform violates the law, challenge Rep. Ryan to introduce articles of impeachment, call their bluff. Saying, that's not true is not enough; detailing what it really is makes for boring soundbites. In other words give it right back, but above all make the response something the regular guy can relate to.
Yes they did cover the fact the Ryan told lies and misrepresnted the truth. But will they repeat that every time he does it? Can you picture a MSM newscaster pointing out that Rep. Ryan is lying when he continues to claim that he is saving Medicare, or that Obama has revoked the work requirements in welfare? I am merely challenging all of us to somehow get the word out. We are not allowed on the Right Wing blogs and MSM only reports stories based on the same algorithm that Netflix uses to determine what movie you would love to see next.
OBAMA-BIDEN 2012!!!!!!
I am presuming you are female, but I am wondering if your sense is agender thing. I get the same impression of Annie Romney. Ryan's wife from the little I have seen of her does not have that packaged look, but she has not really been in the spotlight much.
Mitt & Paul the RR Boys have worked for years building characters that they play, as do most politicians (including BHO). But as in the song "Act Naturally", the best politicians (including BHO) play themselves. Mitt & Paul the RR Boys are playing roles written and funded by the Global Corporation, their motto; "Building a better Globe for Global Corporation".
Need a budget - just balance spreadsheet - all is numbers.
Election is another marketing campaign - more money for TV propaganda - more voters.
Values? Nada.
Look around at the brainwashed zombies with their flashing mobile phones .. have feeling that Ryan will make the SALE.
So will the Republicans care? Not a chance. They believe that he should be able to make up "facts" as he and Mitt go along. Some of them even believe in creationism, and that the world is only 7,000 years old, so it's not a stretch for them at all.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/30/1125935/-LYIN-RYAN-ALL-THE-MEDIA-PUSHBACK?detail=hide
Reagan was one. Both Bushes were of this type of liar. Republicans really do want their leaders to lie to them. That is an essential part of the politics of neo-conservatis m as preached by Leo Strauss and his many followers. It goes back to Plato and the "noble lie" -- politicians often have to lie to the masses in order to get them to do what is good for themselves. ONly the lies are never about what is good for the masses. The lies are about how to rob the masses and de-fraud them.
Neo-conservatis m which is the official ideolocy of the repbulican party (and many democrats) is built on lying to everyone.
One thing Paul Ryan was, was "sincere." As a friend of mine once said "Sincerity sells - and when you've learned to fake sincerity, you've got it made."
I guess it might be real sincerity if Ryan believes everything he says. If he does, then he's delusional. If he doesn't, he's a hypocrite of the worst kind.
Telling the truth takes real courage. I see no courage whatsoever in anything Romney or Ryan are doing. I see them both buying into the fear of "losing," which then allows them to rationalize their decision to lie as much as they do, about most everything they stand for, and have done in their careers.
The end justifies the means - the end is more power and control over everyone but themself, and that justifies lying. If they had control of themselves, they would not choose to lie. Or so it seems to me at this point in time.
In the words of H. L. Mencken, "No one ever lost an election underestimating the intelligence of the American voter." Why do suspect Ryan has read Mencken more than Rand?
They can be solved.
The Republican Party speakers can solve them, no matter what they may be, no matter how ridiculous or to the extent of the fantasy of their idiocy.
Of course they will fail (absolutely!), but they will make the ‘uneducated’ feel good.
All ‘good’ things can happen, if only the Congress would repeal the Laws of Physics and the Law of Economics.
Anything that supports or allows fanaticism or demagoguery will have its problems.
The ANNOUNCED decision to close the plant came in 2008. The actual decision was probably made 6 months to a year prior. I am not sure of the date that the Obama auto industry bailout plan was passed, but even if it had been passed on the day of his inauguration, the dies was already cast.
But once the Obama bailout passed, do you really believe that the President of the United States of America has nothing else to do than to sit around with all the persons involved in the minutiae of running a corporation and be in a position to responsibly decide which plants to close?
The right wing accusations about what Obama should have done or not done frequently stretches so far beyond the credible that like a bungee cord all we have to do is cut the credibilty cord and watch it snap back.
Sen. Obama's comments on the campaign in 2008 were meant to describe how he would change the future, so that less factories would close down. I think he actually has moved us closer to that future, as GM has began moving some of its work back to the US and expanded other operations.
Tell us, what has Romney/Ryan said about Obama that was true? Be prepared to prove it.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-kept/
LIES ARE CONTAGIOUS AND DANGEROUS THINGS, glad to have the truth in writing.
Giving rich people more money is a proven non starter in creating jobs, so lets see a plan that does NOT just give rich people money. As an example of why, if I give Chris Christie more food, I doubt anyone else will be less hungry.
Sigh..........
The Recovery Act has saved or created as many as 3.3 million jobs; boosted the American economy,
increasing GDP by as much as 4.5 percent in the 2nd quarter of 2010; and provided tax credits to 95 percent
of working families.
ENDING COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ
President Obama has ended our combat mission in Iraq and removed nearly 100,000 troops so that we can
focus on fighting al Qaeda and rebuilding our nation at home.
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS
President Obama secured a bipartisan agreement extending critical tax cuts for middle class families,
helping those families to make ends meet and boosting economic recovery.
ETC, ETC, ETC,...........
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