[DJlaysitup]

Regardless of the details of the Ryan budget, this is a game of politics, not policy. Every news channel and newspaper will say over and over again, Ryan wants to give each senior a $7,000 coupon to buy private insurance, that the coupon value increases with inflation (1 to 3 percent) while insurance costs go up 8 to 10 percent a year and then seniors are on their own...this will be a very steep hill to climb. This pick will no doubt shore up the base but in the face of another 4 years of Obama, the base didn’t need to be shored up. We need the mushy middle. The Romney campaign needs a smack upside the head. Even with the best case scenario, consider Florida’s 29 electoral votes gone.

I don't think the 49 electoral votes are definitely "gone"...but much more in jeopardy. If Mitt still loses Wisconsin this is the dumbest pick since Eagleton. You almost have to wonder if he is trying to win.

[tsowellfan]

Who do you think Romney should have chosen?

[JediJones]

I actually like the fact that Mitt made this pick seemingly based on the substance of the candidate, not on crass political calculation. Rubio or Martinez would have been his picks if crass political calculation had won the day. I certainly don’t understand how conservatives who supposedly rail against affirmative action can claim that Rubio should be the V.P. pick so that we can win the “Hispanic vote.” Talk about not practicing what you preach. If Romney really wants to rehabilitate his reputation with conservatives, picking Ryan is the kind of decision he should continue making. And if he’s going to talk about economics, I certainly hope the debt is spoken of at least as much as jobs are, since the government is thoroughly responsible for the debt but does not and should not take any responsibility for creating jobs.