UPDATED, 8:20 p.m., with Crapo statements.
I’ll add to this as the weekend unfolds, but here are some first reactions to Republican Mitt Romney’s choice for running mate: House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
Interestingly enough, on Friday our editorial board asked 2nd Congressional District Rep. Mike Simpson for his read on the GOP veepstakes. Several of the usual suspect names came up, but not Ryan. (Here is a link to Dan Popkey’s writeup from the interview.)
Now, to the reactions.
On Twitter, Sen. Mike Crapo called Ryan "a deficit hawk who I have enjoyed working with.
"(Ryan) is somebody who believes in cutting spending and dealing w/our debt problem. A strong choice for (Romney)."
From Sen. Jim Risch, who supported Romney's run in 2008 and endorsed Romney early in the 2012 cycle:
The selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate underscores Governor Romney's commitment to pull our country back from the edge of the fiscal cliff. I strongly endorse Governor Romney's choice of Congressman Ryan and I look forward to victory in November.
Here’s the reaction from one of Ryan’s House Republican colleagues, 1st District Rep. Raul Labrador:
Governor Mitt Romney's selection this morning of Chairman Paul Ryan adds the final piece to America's comeback -- the team America has been waiting for to reform our government and help get people back to work. Americans will soon know, like I know, that the Romney/Ryan ticket has the expertise needed to save our country from an entitlement mentality that has caused unprecedented spending and the overregulation of businesses that has taken our country to the brink of financial ruin.
I am excited about this team and I stand ready to help in any way I can to take back the White House and restore American preeminence in the world.
Here, from Boise High School graduate and Obama for America campaign manager Jim Messina, is the reaction and fundraising pitch from the Obama camp:
Paul Ryan will be Mitt Romney's running mate.
What you need to know right now: This election is about values, and today Romney doubled down on his commitment to take our country back to the failed policies of the past.
Congressman Paul Ryan is best known as the author of a budget so radical The New York Times called it "the most extreme budget plan passed by a House of Congress in modern times." With Mitt Romney's support, Ryan would end Medicare as we know it and slash the investments we need to keep our economy growing -- all while cutting taxes for those at the very top.
Over the next few days, Romney's campaign and its allies will tell a very different story about Paul Ryan.
Our job is to make sure Americans know the truth about what Romney's choice says about him as a candidate and leader, and to stand with President Obama and Vice President Biden at another major moment in this campaign.
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Reagan Republicans Meeting
Raúl predicted Paul Ryan would be the VP choice when asked at a Reagan Republicans meeting in North Idaho.
Correction:
Raul said it would be Paul BUNyan, not RYan.
But,
can he see Russia from his back door?
Ryan is just another all
Ryan is just another all hat, no cattle guy on the economy -- just like Romney. He isn't specific on the cuts because he doesn't want to deal with the criticism.
Ryan has submitted two detailed blueprints on his budget.
Love it or hate it Ryan's plans are not unspecific.
He is the only person in Washington who has risked showing leadership on budget issues. There is no one man in government who can match his knowledge of fiscal data and issues.
His plans are for an entire redesign of our tax code and entitlement programs. This is an area where no politician dare treads.
At this point we are bleeding 100 Billion a month. Romney is probably banking on the electorate to consider a change. The Democrats and the media will be launching many attacks on Ryan. He seems to handle himself well under pressure because he is so schooled on the issues.
He's more specific than almost anybody on cuts
Like them or not, Ryan has given more specific recommendations for budget cuts than almost anybody.
Ask somebody
Ask somebody with a job what they think. Ask somebody who isn't a millionaire. His support among working people is going to be close to zero. (Just like Romney's)
Nobody represents the failed
Nobody represents the failed policies of the past better than Obama. Tax and spend is so yesterday.
"Congressman Paul Ryan is best known as the author of a budget so radical The New York Times called it "the most extreme budget plan passed by a House of Congress in modern times." "
Our extreme indebtedness as a nation is going to necessitate an equally extreme correction. Reducing the deficit over 10 years, which is what Ryan's budget aims to do, is hardly radical. Likewise, Medicare as we know it is history no matter what we do to fix it, including doing nothing.
I like and Irishman in a tough fight.
.
They are both Irish
Since Biden and Ryan are both Irish so you should really like the fight. :)
Way Back
Back, back, way back to the 19th Century with Romney and Ryan. Back to a time when there was no social safety net for seniors so that people did not have to suffer in their declining years. Back to a time when there was no school lunch program so kids did not have to attend school with empty stomachs or suffer from malnutrition, back to a time when there was no minimum wage and unemployment was so high that people would work all day for just enough money to buy one slice of bread. Go back to the future with Romney and Ryan for an instant transformation from a first world nation to a third world nation. Yeah, that will fix the deficit. And if you are willing to buy that one, I have some coastal property in Florida for sale that will never be affected by rising sea levels.
Labrador talks a lot
but never says anything regular middle-class folks, like me, want to hear about. I think he just likes to hear himself talk!