Paul Ryan Watch: Ovations for Response to Obama, But Claims Questioned
Media around the world weigh in on Rep. Paul Ryan's response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address on Tuesday night.
Rep. Paul Ryan continued his political ascendency Tuesday night by delivering the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address.
How'd he do?
Conservatives are near unanimous in applauding Ryan's "stark," "adult" speech that brought the need for fiscal restraint and deficit control into focus. The NY Times' David Brooks called the speech "outstanding."
CNN's Fact Check says Ryan's numbers don't add up.
The Southern Political Report says Ryan rebutted Obama and upstaged the Tea Party response from fellow House member Rep. Michelle Bachmann, who delivered her own response to the president. Still, others wonder about a rift within the Republican Party.
In an article before the speech, The Hill reports Ryan was told to "look like Ronald Reagan" when giving his national address.
New York Rep. Andrew Weiner, a Democrat, said Ryan's response was too "dour" for his taste. He said the response made him want a drink.
Media Matters for America, a liberal media watch website, reports that conservatives all back Ryan, but economists question claims in his speech. Ryan said Obama's stimulus plan didn't create jobs and that health care reform won't reduce the long-term deficit. Both stand in opposition to many economists.
concerned citizen
5:26 pm on Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Finally some common sense.
Jay Warner
7:59 pm on Wednesday, January 26, 2011
He was supposed to "look like Ronald Reagan"? With his oh-so-earnest expressions, and well developed look of sincerity, he looked far more like an over done TV preacher. Both Ryan (i. e., Republicans) and Obama (i. e., Democrats) need to back up their speeches with serious analysis and projections. The TEA party people have never been able to put analytical facts behind their 'demands.' It is only my opinion, but I don't think Ryan can, either.
Greta Mueller
5:25 pm on Friday, January 28, 2011
Yet, Jay, Obama is on the cover of Time ( or one of those ) pretending to be best buddies with the late President Reagan! I'm going to be laughing at that one for years to come. Hmmm...which is closer to Reagan - Paul Ryan or Barak Obama?
BTW, noticed Ryan's prediction of social security indebtedness is finally being reported. I remember hearing him talk years ago about a social security lockbox to prevent the raiding of the ss fund for other government spending sprees. IF ONLY we'd listened to the young Paul Ryan back then!
Kringle Guy
9:34 am on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Paul Krugman was quick to also point out in the NY Times that Ryan's frequent use of European Economics as a specter of fear is false and misleading. He lumps Ireland and Britain in with Greece when describing their economic crisis. Ireland ran a budget surplus and had low debt, it was out-of control banks that caused their problems not spending. Britain was not experiencing a debt crisis, but their turn to the kind of austerity that Ryan is touting has killed growth and private sector confidence.
Ryan speaks with enough jargon that only experts can decipher his lies. That is what makes him very, very dangerous.