Posted on 04/18/2011 5:39:21 AM PDT by Scanian
On Sunday morning’s Face the Nation, host Bob Schieffer seemed to be setting Rep. Paul Ryan up for a sort of political “2 Girls, 1 Cup reaction video,” placing Ryan in splitscreen as he listened to President Obama’s candid “hot mic” remarks at a Chicago fundraiser earlier this week. While the President’s fiery remarks were a departure from his characteristic cool, Ryan’s pulse never got above 85.
The Obama/Paul Ryan dynamic has undergone a shift in the last week or so. Ryan’s budget proposal got heaps of praise from the political media for being “courageous,” even as they were split on the substance, but in the artificial world of media optics, the President seemed to regain some momentum with his speech on the budget, leaving Republicans to lament the President’s tone.
In much the same way, President Obama’s supposed “screwup” this week, the public airing of remarks that were supposed to be closed to the press, has probably helped him, too. Critics on both sides of the aisle have long expressed a wish that the President would get worked up once in awhile.
Ryan’s reaction can best be described as cool, classy, taking the high road, but in the face of a (relatively) blistering attack by President Obama, Ryan runs the risk of coming off as weak. In American politics, for better or worse, victory is often decided based on who looks stronger, not who has the best ideas. As happy as many Democrats are that President Obama is finally hitting back, Republicans ought to take a look at how well complaining about the meanies usually works out.
“2 Girls One cup” is what I think of 0bama
No, we don't think you're stupid, When you speak, we think you are un-American, and a Marxist liar.
Maybe someday he will forget there's an open microphone and reveal he was really born in Kenya.
Winning rule in 2012: Direct political attack on Obama!
Obama: Millionaires don't have a right to keep any of their hard-earned cash.
It all belongs to the gov't
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Hope and Change.... Tragic.
I guess I live under a rock. What is “2 Girls, 1 Cup”?
I’m not buying the “accidental” open mike BS. If you listen to it, there is no background noise. It sounds as if BHO is speaking directly into the mike...like he is reading the words.
If you don’t know, then I assure you that don’t WANT to know.
A perfect example of media double standard. Obama is 'cool' and 'unflapable', and this makes him a great leader. Here, Ryan is staying calm, and it 'runs the risk' of coming off as weak. Does the media ever suggest that Obama might come off as weak? No. It is a sign of strength. But a GOPer will come off as weak. If he got angry, Ryan is showing signs of letting Obama get to him. When Obama gets into his little rant about Ryan being our 'accountant', the media does not think that it is Ryan getting under Obama's skin.
For every Republican, you are damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Palin was libeled by the media and left after the Tucson murders, and by responding she 'made it about herself'. If she did not respond, she would have been demonstrating that she is damaged by the event, or is pulling back from public events because of her role in the tragedy.
I agree, you do not want to know. I am sorry I do.
“Maybe someday he will forget there’s an open microphone and reveal he was really born in Kenya. “
WOn’t matter. We already had Obama talking about his Muslim faith before Stephy reminded him about his Christian faith.
Should have heeded your warning.
Ryan remains cool while the President insults him and his programs. Obama remains cool when the economy is floundering. There is a difference.
Anyone who saw the Healthcare Summit confrontation between Ryan and Obama knows very well who the “weak” one is.
I know due to working with the military.
I'd have been fine going the rest of my life not knowing. ;-)
I was not at all happy with my “friend” who tricked me into watching that video.
He is lucky I didn’t punch him!
It's a good thing I love him like a brother...
IMO, it actually makes Obama look weak. The POTUS in the trenches trash talking a Congressman?
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