A lot of our conservatives are not quick on their “verbal feet.” Ryan is very plodding because he’s very factual, which in the real world would be a good thing, but in the political world is a handicap.
Maybe his meeting will give him a better chance to recruit a few converts to his analysis of the situation.
Reagan was successful because he was an excellent communicator (remember, he had been an actor). Even the press couldn’t distort him when people heard him.
I’m not sure we have anybody now with these communication skills. Cruz, Rick Scott, and even Walker are successful but come across as very wooden. Does anybody know if Gov. Susanna Martinez is a good speaker? Or if we even have any good speakers?
Reagan called a spade a spade.
The following would certainly be regarded as far more offensive in 2014 than anything Ryan said:
"There's a woman in Chicago, according to an article in the now-defunct Washington Star. She has 80 names, 30 addresses, 12 Social Security cards. ... She's got Medicaid, getting food stamps and she is collecting welfare under each of her names. Her tax-free cash income alone is over $150,000."
Reagan did not apologize.
Neither should Ryan.
I hope not.
Martinez is a “reformed” Democrat and is center-left on most issues.
Several months ago Albuquerque, which is almost 50% Hispanic, voted to outlaw third term abortions.
Martinez refused to take a public position on the vote because “it's a local issue.”
And the next time someone claims that Martinez can attract Hispanics to the GOP, remember this:
In 2010, when Martinez ran for her first term, 61% of Hispanics voted AGAINST her!
The essential point you're making is very much on target. The ideas must be communicated effectively and, of course, President Reagan was peerless in that regard. I will disagree about our outstanding Texas Senator Ted Cruz in that regard. In fact, I'll quote from an enemy who stands in utter awe (and rightful fear) of Cruz's intellect and communication skills. These are the words of Chris Hayes of MSLSD:
In October 2007, I sat in the media gallery of the United States Supreme Court and watched the Solicitor General of Texas [Ted Cruz] argue on behalf of the state that he should have the ability to put to death a Mexican national who had been convicted of raping and murdering two teenage girls in Houston. He won that argument and he was executed by Texas on August 5th, 2008, despite the objections of the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
At the time, I had no idea who this man arguing on behalf of Texas was. but all I could think was holy c**p, this guy is good. It was one of his nine times arguing before the Supreme Court and he was witty, incredibly fast on his feet and clearly had a brilliant legal mind . It is to this day one of the most impressive displays I have ever seen before the Court and I have had the good fortune to spend a lot of time there.
She spoke in Tampa at the 2012 convention and seemed far better than Jan Brewer at least.
Will a winning conservative please stand up!