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GOP pros fret over Paul Ryan (GOP operatives strike again like 2008)
Politico ^ | Tuesday August 14, 2012

Posted on 08/14/2012 11:22:58 AM PDT by Bigtigermike

“I think it’s a very bold choice. And an exciting and interesting pick. It’s going to elevate the campaign into a debate over big ideas. It means Romney-Ryan can run on principles and provide some real direction and vision for the Republican Party. And probably lose. Maybe big,” said former President George W. Bush senior adviser Mark McKinnon.

Joked another: “The most popular phrase in Washington right now is: ‘I love Paul Ryan, but …’”

And the more pessimistic strategists don’t even feign good cheer: They think the Ryan pick is a disaster for the GOP. Many of these people don’t care that much about Romney — they always felt he faced an improbable path to victory — but are worried that Ryan’s vocal views about overhauling Medicare will be a millstone for other GOP candidates in critical House and Senate races.

The most cutting criticism of Ryan, shared only by a handful of strategists, is that Ryan isn’t ready to be president — or doesn’t come across as ready. A youthful man who looks even younger than his 42 years, Ryan could end up labeled as Sarah Palin with a PowerPoint presentation, several operatives said.

“He just doesn’t seem like he can step into the job on Day One,” said the strategist, who professed himself a Ryan fan.

“This is the day the music died,” one Republican operative involved in 2012 races said after the rollout. The operative said that every House candidate now is racing to get ahead of this issue.

(Excerpt) Read more at dyn.politico.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012veep; gop; gopelites; handwringers; jebbush; palin; paulryan; rinos; romney; sarahpalin
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To: Sarah Barracuda

Steve Schmidt is on board with Ryan. I saw an interview he did. He even smiled. Don’t know about Wallace.


21 posted on 08/14/2012 11:40:02 AM PDT by Deb (If you wanna laugh everyday, follow Deepak Chopra on Twitter)
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To: Bigtigermike

“in their recent reportorial book Game Change, journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin suggest that McKinnon was extremely reluctant to help coach Palin for the debate. According to these political journalists, “(Rick) Davis had pleaded with Mark McKinnon, who had decided to sit out the general election because he wanted no part of flaying Obama.”

A Bushie, featured in this article. And if they have a hope of Jeb, they should understand that they will never get my vote. Even, no more Bush presidents,,PERIOD.


22 posted on 08/14/2012 11:40:31 AM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: Bigtigermike
And probably lose. Maybe big,” said former President George W. Bush senior adviser Mark McKinnon.

Mark McKinnon is a former Democrat turned RINO who is a founder of the foolish, "non-partisan" No Labels group.

23 posted on 08/14/2012 11:40:57 AM PDT by Zeppo ("Happy Pony is on - and I'm NOT missing Happy Pony")
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To: Bigtigermike
Politico is always trying to pit Republicans against one another, even if they have to make something up to do so.
24 posted on 08/14/2012 11:41:33 AM PDT by death2tyrants
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To: Bigtigermike

Sounds like the usual GOP-Establishment scumbags are already whispering to their liberal buddies in the media, setting the stage to dump all the blame on Paul Ryan in case Romney loses. I really don’t see how the Republican Party ultimately survives when so much of its leadership and operatives are akin to Fifth Columnists, always ready to side with big-government Dems, and shove daggers in the backs of genuine constitutional conservatives.


25 posted on 08/14/2012 11:42:58 AM PDT by greene66
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To: Bigtigermike

Exactly. Sarah redux.

One difference is that Ryan’s no outsider. I don’t think anyone’s going to feel free to dictate his responses or reactions. If the campaign’s about money, who’s going to flummox him? It’s as if some idiot New York congresswoman were trying to tell Sarah how to bag a moose (or hold an 88% approval-rating as governor). Poor Sarah was sent out there ALONE, precious little support from her home state, none from within the party. All she had was the people, and they don’t run campaigns..


26 posted on 08/14/2012 11:44:41 AM PDT by Mach9
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To: Bigtigermike

History repeating itself. These cowards will never be happy unless the VP pick is a corrupt old Senator in his 70s, who won’t rock their boat.


27 posted on 08/14/2012 11:45:18 AM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: DesertRhino

I agree with you; I will NEVER vote for another member of the disastrous failures known as the Bush family for any public office. I held my nose and voted for Bush, Sr. the first time solely because he was RR’s vice president and what a disappointment he was! Nothing, though, compared to the complete disaster known as GW - we ended up in the current mess largely because of him and his wonderful talented staff, such as the loser McKinnon.


28 posted on 08/14/2012 11:45:46 AM PDT by laconic
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To: Bigtigermike
A youthful man who looks even younger than his 42 years, Ryan could end up labeled as Sarah Palin with a PowerPoint presentation, several operatives said.

At least, that's their most fervent hope. These naysayers should be dared to sit down across a table from Ryan and engage in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate on any pertinent political issue. Not only would these idiots walk away dragging their spleens, they'd be feeling rightly chastised.

God-d***ed establishment types offer no solutions. Romney made a strong, bold choice here. Live with it, RINOS!

29 posted on 08/14/2012 11:47:11 AM PDT by ScottinVA (If Obama is reelected, America will deserve every mockery that follows.)
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To: Bigtigermike

Allow me to summarize: The Republican Party is their own worst enemy.


30 posted on 08/14/2012 11:47:11 AM PDT by spodefly (This is my tag line. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: greene66
They want the same that the DNCe want. They have the same worldview, just different ideas on implementation.

What is interesting is that they view Ryan as a threat.

31 posted on 08/14/2012 11:48:22 AM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: Tulane

No, but the GOP-E is already setting Ryan up as the fall guy if/when Romney loses, to cover up their own continuing failures.


32 posted on 08/14/2012 11:55:03 AM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: Tulane

It is BS. It’s Politico.


33 posted on 08/14/2012 11:56:37 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (ABO 2012)
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To: Bigtigermike

Anonymous sources say Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Martin all like taking it up the juxy. Particularly Martin, said one strategist, who professed himself a Politico fan.


34 posted on 08/14/2012 11:56:47 AM PDT by StAnDeliver ("So, a Mormon and a Catholic walk onto an aircraft carrier...")
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To: MNJohnnie
Unlike 2008 everyone from Rush to Bill Kristol is ripping them a new one for this today.

Combine that with the dismal results of Obamanomics and the fact that this election provides the final opportunity to dump Obamacare, and the outlook for Republicans is very different than in 2008, regardless of the VP candidate. Four years of Obama Fatigue trumps eight years of Bush Derangement Syndrome.

The election hinges on Republicans getting their economic message out over the cacophony of White House lies and brazen media propaganda.

35 posted on 08/14/2012 12:00:20 PM PDT by BlatherNaut
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To: Bigtigermike

One of the “GOP” “pros” - Mark Mc Kinnon

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McKinnon

“Originally a Democrat, McKinnon became a Republican after meeting then Texas Governor George W. Bush. He has worked for causes, companies and candidates, including former President George W. Bush, 2008 Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain, late former Governor Ann Richards, Congressman Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong and Bono.”

Just six years before joining G.W. Bush, he worked for Lloyd Doggett - a Texas Democrat.

34 of the other 35 GOP “insiders”, that Politico says it talked to for the article, seem to be NOT “on the record” for the article. They either prefer to remain nameless, or maybe some are not actually in the GOP.

Only one other, Terry Nelson, who likes the Ryan choice, gave his name.


36 posted on 08/14/2012 12:03:17 PM PDT by Wuli
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To: Bigtigermike

Gutless Mr. RomneyCARE is behind this, just like the attacks
on Gov. Palin in 2008.

AMERICA NEEDS A CONSERVATIVE AS POTUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


37 posted on 08/14/2012 12:07:28 PM PDT by Diogenesis ("Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. " Pres. Ronald Reagan)
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To: nhwingut
If the GOPe is p*ssing their pants over Paul Ryan, then I have only this one word comment:

Good!


38 posted on 08/14/2012 12:10:23 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: Bigtigermike

Political consultants are the bane of the GOP. They are mainly concerned with cashing their paychecks and keeping the respect of their friends in the liberal establishment.

Paid political consultants have almost single-handedly brought the California Republican party to the pathetic state it is in today.


39 posted on 08/14/2012 12:13:48 PM PDT by feralcat
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To: Bigtigermike

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

Please... This is a Politico hit piece, finding quotes in or out of context from “republicans” that none of us care about.

And all because the Ryan pick energized the republican party and they desperately are trying to find a new theme.

How many of you believe that now House members are having to get ahead of the Ryan budget .... WHEN THE HOUSE ALREADY PASSED THE RYAN BUDGET!!!

Stop believing every stupid liberal hit piece.


40 posted on 08/14/2012 12:14:25 PM PDT by Williams (No Obama)
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