Humorless Politics Thread

[nec13]

I think I should rent a bus and give senior citizens rides to the polls on election day.

Whatever you do, make sure that they bring their ID's with them.

[Kormod]

The only thing that the Paul Ryan pick achieves that probably no other choice would is that, because of the sheer absurdity of the Ryan Plan, it puts someone other than Romney in the spotlight. Rubio or Christie or even Scott Walker, as "exciting" as they are, probably wouldn't get people to stop talking about the tax returns. Maybe all Romney wants at this point is for people to just shut up about his "personal finances" (maybe he feels it's damaging the prestigious Romney name) -- he'll let Ryan take center stage, hope the Democrats find the Ryan Plan more interesting than his tax returns, lose this thing quietly, and retreat back to his mansion.

Or maybe he's just really stupid and thinks Paul Ryan is going to help him win the election.

[Kormod]

Also: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/08/mitt-romney-would-pay-082-percent-in-taxes-under-paul-ryans-plan/261027/

[Smelodies]

[Kormod]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/11/biography-rep-paul-ryan/

*        Ryan listens to Rage Against the Machine and Led Zeppelin

Wait, what?

[Smelodies]

[daveB from Oakland]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/11/biography-rep-paul-ryan/

*        Ryan listens to Rage Against the Machine and Led Zeppelin

Wait, what?

He is also a catfish noodler and bowhunter. Also, I am going to entirely check out from reality from this point forward. If I was made of stronger stuff, I would. There is a big part of me that never wants to look at a newspaper (or the online equivalent of a newspaper) again.

[Smelodies]

Apparently Mitt has no problem rooting through someone else's tax returns.

http://mediamatters.org/mobile/video/2012/08/12/stephanopoulos-grills-pawlenty-over-the-several/189287

Good one George!

[Kormod]

"20 year old tax returns." What a dishonest piece of garbage.

[Steve of Bloomington]

Catfish noodler?

[Smelodies]

Gotcha questions rock.  Has Stephanopoulos had other moments like this over the years?

[cavorting with nudists]

https://twitter.com/PaulRyanGosling

[buffcoat]

As the FOTs resident more-conservative-than-you-but-who-has-still-never-voted-for-a-republican-ever, I am suspicious of your one-voice unanimity in condemning the Ryan pick.

However.

I can't see how Ryan makes more sense than Portman or Rubio, or even Pawlenty.  So what if safe Romney goes with a safe pick?  That's what he's supposed to do.

I'm not certain, but I think the Ryan pick means Florida, with all its seniors, moves from toss up to leans Obama, which is just about the kiss of death for Romney.  Portman might not have won Ohio for Romney, but he couldn't have hurt.  Ryan at most puts Wisconsin into play - so what?

They say VPs don't decide elections, but I'd much rather have Rubio, even if he's a bit untested and might piss off the most reactionary conservatives on immigration, stumping for me in Florida than Ryan stumping for me... where?  Places I'm already going to win?

Seniors are going to want to kill this guy on his looks alone.  Wait till they read up on his plans.  Which actually wouldn't hurt them in particular that much, but it's not going to matter.

I don't get it, and I'm glad I don't get it.

[cavorting with nudists]

I have a gut feeling it may have been a panic response to conservatives' calling for heads to roll last week when Andrea Saul spoke favorably of Romneycare.  Either that, or a clutch of big-spending donors got together and told Twit to pick Ryan if he knew what was good for him.  Something like that--something that doesn't speak well of Willard's spinal rectitude.

I'm sure Portman and Pawlenty are heartbroken that they won't be going down on this Titanic.

[Kormod]

Romney Ryan ticket: Mitt chooses VP running mate