Forget that GOP running mate Rep. Paul Ryan is a thoughtful lawmaker most known for writing a politically risky fiscally-conservative budget meant to save Medicare and Social Security.
According to the liberal plan of attack just emerging, Ryan is instead blue collar America’s worst nightmare.
“In every race across the country, the Ryan budget plan is the albatross that hangs around the neck of Republican candidates. So why not set the task of defending the plan to the architect himself, Paul Ryan,” asks one of the leading opposition research sites, American Bridge 21st Century. “Because there’s nothing defensible about a budget that hands out tax cuts to wealthy individuals and corporations while asking more of working class families already struggling just to get by — and still doesn’t even close the budget deficit until 2040.”
Several liberal and progressive groups Saturday geared up their attack machine. They said they are well armed because of the time they have had to research Mitt Romney’s potential picks. Plus, Ryan has been on the scene for two years with his budget proposals. American Bridge is many critics’ go-to siteand has produced a 290-page report on Ryan and his policies. The group on Saturday launched a site called “meetpaulryan.com.”
The hundreds of news stories the site references back up the Democratic Party’s claim that the Ryan budget is dangerous to the Middle Class and seniors. Among the charges and talking points the Democrats are seizing on from the American Bridge report:
» The Ryan budget “would end Medicare as we know it.”
» Ryan is a foe of alternative energy.
» His budget will slash Social Security retirement payments 17 percent.
» Medicare would be slashed $800 billion over 10 years.
» Not only would he repeal Obamacare, spending on health would drop 75 percent by 2050.
» Even with spending cuts, the Ryan budget would not balance the budget.
» He voted to bar use of federal funds to fund abortions.
» Ryan voted against expanding the Food Stamp program.
» He voted to end the ban on offshore oil drilling.
» Ryan voted against repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
» He voted to extend the Bush tax cuts.-the for many of the critics s. It SDRqx
Paul Bedard can be contacted at [email protected].
