2012 U.S. Presidential Election

[Dark Sage]

Roy, I'm gonna ask you two questions, and I want you to answer them honestly:

Is Ryan the man that you expected, and do you think he is the best choice, given what Romney has said in the past?

In my own honest opinion, speaking as someone who followed this campaign, my answer for both questions is "no". While I admit that Ryan is much better than Palin could ever hope to be, Romney expressed his desire for a "safe pick", which Ryan is clearly not.

Edit: Btw, attempts to win the youth vote using a VP tend to end in disaster. I believe that was one of the biggest reasons for G.H.W. Bush choosing Dan Quayle. Not that Ryan is anything like Quayle, I'll admit...

[Roy Karrde]

Roy, I'm gonna ask you two questions, and I want you to answer them honestly:

Is Ryan the man that you expected, and do you think he is the best choice, given what Romney has said in the past?

In my own honest opinion, speaking as someone who followed this campaign, my answer for both questions is "no". While I admit that Ryan is much better than Palin could ever hope to be, Romney expressed his desire for a "safe pick", which Ryan is clearly not.

Edit: Btw, attempts to win the youth vote using a VP tend to end in disaster. I believe that was one of the biggest reasons for G.H.W. Bush choosing Dan Quayle. Not that Ryan is anything like Quayle, I'll admit...

Is it a safe pick? No, he could have gone boring no doubt. But remember that Romney has other qualifications than just being a safe pick. Is he the best choice? Yes I believe so, and he was on my own short list with Rubio and Jindal. It does help that in real life I share a name with him, but I have been excited about Paul Ryan for several years now.

[Dark Sage]

I saw Ryan's interview on 60 Minutes last night... I have to admit you're right, Roy... He might be the best choice for Romney's VP pick... In fact, I'm starting to think that Ryan may be far more qualified to be President than Romney is.

Anyway... My respect for the GOP just edged up a little when I heard that Palin had NOT been invited to speak at the Convention. Seems the ones in charge are a little smarter than I give them credit for. I'm still not going to watch it; but take heart, I won't be watching the Democrats' either. Both are good for nothing but cures for insomnia.