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What Do You Think of the Romney/Ryan Ticket?

News of Romney's Paul Ryan pick for vice president exploded on cable news and social media late Friday and was confirmed by Romney's app just after 7 a.m. Saturday. It was to be announced officially at 9 a.m.

It’s official: Wisconsin’s Paul Ryan will be Mitt Romney’s running mate. National news media reported it as the news exploded throughout the Internet and on cable television late Friday and early Saturday.

Georgia Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville) announced it on Loganville-Grayson Patch just before midnight on Saturday, and it was confirmed by Romney's app just after 7 a.m.

National news sites broke the news just before midnight on Friday evening, ending weeks of speculation.

Shortly before midnight, CNN was reporting that three sources confirmed that the Janesville, Wis., congressman, 42, was the vice president pick of the Republican Romney. News that Romney’s campaign was announcing its vice president selection on Saturday in Virginia broke widely late Friday.

Romney is to make the announcement early Saturday morning in Virginia, kicking off a four-state tour in his bid to unseat incumbent President Barack Obama.

The Huffington Post summed it up with one big red headline that trumpeted that the pick was  “RYAN”.  Even before 1 a.m., the story had generated more than 9,000 comments. By 2 a.m. Saturday, the website romneyryan.com, paid for and authorized by Romney for President, Inc., was already up and active, and NBC and other news sites also were reporting the pick was Ryan.

Brookfield-WI Patch reported that Ryan attended the Sikh visitation services in Oak Creek, Wis., earlier Friday, viewing the bodies of the deceased with Mitt Romney’s son, Tagg. Tagg Romney tweeted about accompanying Ryan to the visitation later Friday. Tagg Romney wrote on Twitter Friday: “In Milwaukee today along w #RepPaulRyanand #GovWalker to represent my family and offer condolences to the Sikh community.”

The Washington Post already had a graphic on its site entitled, "5 things you didn’t know about Paul Ryan" by early Saturday. They included, “Ryan is from Janesville, Wis., where in 1884 his great-grandfather started a family construction firm, which is still run by his cousins today.” Another factoid: Ryan drove the Oscar Mayer weinermobile in college. Ryan’s first political job was with Jack Kemp in 1991 at a conservative organization.

By midnight, national cable news media was reporting the Ryan choice as a fact, and soon local news media was, too. Ryan’s facebook page biography says he is a fifth generation resident of Janesville.  He is chairman of the House Budget Committee. He is married to Janna; the couple has three children. Pundits on cable news debated the Ryan pick, including Ryan's controversial proposals on Medicare.

What do you think of Romney's Pick? Do you think Ryan is the best pick for Romney if he wants to be elected in November?

(Editor's Note: Parts of this story appeared initially on Brookfield-WI Patch)

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Brian Crawford August 12, 2012 at 07:55 am
Fact. Not a single Republican voted for the Stimulus and the Keystone Pipeline isn't much of a job creator.
Fact. US oil production is the highest it's been since 2002. http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MCRFPUS1&f=A
Brian Crawford August 12, 2012 at 08:14 am
@Frank. Social Security certainly has long term financial problems that must be addressed sooner than later but to say "Social Security, for example, has been DEPLETED for YEARS now" is incorrect. 2010 was the first year since 1983 (the last time significant changes were made to the program) that benefits paid were greater than payments collected. The SS Trust Fund has nearly $3 trillion in assets and can pay benefits at current levels for another 20 years with no changes. http://www.ssa.gov/oact/tr/2012/tr2012.pdf
Greg Williams August 12, 2012 at 01:03 pm
Unfortunately charter schools are not better.
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/02/16/new-review-of-georgia-charter-school-performance-finds-they-dont-outperform-traditional-public-schools/
Athens Mama August 12, 2012 at 04:51 pm
Greg Williams - I'm the parent of a child who tested in the top 7% of private school students on a standardized test. She took the SAT as a 7th grader and scored higher than many high school juniors. I'm also an Education graduate student. Charter schools can be better or worse than traditional schools, because they're individualized. They're mavericks. I was zoned for a school that was not serving my child or partnering with me last year. That school was my only choice. How many parents do I know in this same situation??? Many of us ended up moving, some do online programs for their kids. If there were charter schools in my district, I would have had the option to review them and apply for admission. The deal with charter schools is that you have to be strategic about what you approve. Since the local School Board does not want to share the money, the state approved agency will be the one to approve certain charter schools that apply. Another problem is that they're comparing charter schools to traditional public in the sense of AYP. They're measuring the wrong things. They're depending on high stakes testing of particular factual information and that's not what makes creative thinkers and problem solvers, positive school culture, or engaged parents. If you walk into schools that are making AYP and see what's happening, you'll lose your cookies. Have the graduation rates improved as a result of their precious AYP improvements? AYP is a crock.
Evelyn Smith August 12, 2012 at 05:02 pm
WOW! Great debates! The bottom line the problems in this country want be solve, we have been debating the same issues since the beginning of the 20th century. The leaders in our country don't have solutions they have suggestions and ideas and nothing has solve the problems they just put band-aids on a bleeding wound that needs surgery. If we stop looking at individuals to solve the problems and start looking at local cities, state , and federal governments working together to make changes and solving issues instead of patching them up for a couple years! Obama or Romney want solve these problems. Our country base is greed, power, dishonesty, and self empowerment! Until we learn that chaos and years of bad legislating takes years to solve our basic economics problems the debate will continue with NO true solutions.
Ali Stinson August 12, 2012 at 05:09 pm
Government is the only truly greedy organization we come into contact with. No matter how many stores they open or how much advertising they do, Walmart cannot make a person shop there. No matter how low an interest rate they offer or how many ATMs they have, Bank of America cannot make us bank there. No matter how many billions he has or how cute his Geico commercials may be Warren Buffet can't make us buy from his Berkshire-Hathaway companies.
We, as individuals, choose what businesses to spend our money with, what people to interact with, where to go to work, how to decorate our homes, and what hobbies to enjoy. The government is the only entity which can force our interaction with their agents, can force our money into their coffers, and can force us to accept what is in our “best interest” whether we have any interest in it or not. Government needs and desires must be suppressed - taking a backseat to the desires and needs of private citizens in their homes and in their businesses. Government should not impose its wants and needs, its desires and sensibilities, or its aesthetic on the community, its citizens, or its businesses. Although I am skeptical of all members of the government, Mr. Ryan seems most in line with my philosophy of small, unobtrusive government.
john speight August 12, 2012 at 06:35 pm
Mitch - Take a deep breath. Your head might explode otherwise.
North Georgia Weather August 12, 2012 at 09:40 pm
And just how is AYP a crock? How are you going to judge whether a charter school is doing better or worse than a public school unless you compare apples to apples?
Athens Mama August 13, 2012 at 01:33 am
@ North Georgia Weather: "How is AYP a crock?" Ask any Educator and they'll tell you. Just one small example: Have you ever seen a non-verbal 9-year old child being fed skittles for 15 minutes straight every time he correctly identifies the region of the country where the Appalachian Mountains exist? Have you ever watched that same 9-year old being photographed exhibiting that skill for 25 minutes? That's just one ridiculous example of an AYP requirement. Teachers can't work more with students who have special needs on the actual things that they need to learn - instead, they must focus on training them to learn information they will most likely never use. They can't spend more time on remediating prior standards that didn't get absorbed, because we've got to meet AYP. If you take a group of 6-year olds, or 10-year olds, and treat them like prison inmates all year, but they all pass the CRCTs at the end of the year - that's not a school I want my child attending. Ask any Educator you know.
North Georgia Weather August 13, 2012 at 10:15 am
LOL!!! Athens Mama... I've worked for DeKalb and Gwinnett school systems for 24 years and my wife is a SPED teacher. I know first hand, please don't act like you have all the answers or facts.
Athens Mama August 13, 2012 at 08:06 pm
North Georgia Weather - so you believe that the AYP measurements adequately measure the level of learning going on in a school?
Bill W August 13, 2012 at 09:40 pm
You are definitely a kool aid drinker. ObamaCare cuts 700 billion from Medicare.
North Georgia Weather August 13, 2012 at 09:52 pm
It was Federal law, another example of the long arm of the government.
Now, with the Common Core, we'll have a much more rigorous curriculum. We will now be using the PARCC Assessment (http://www.parcconline.org/) instead of the old CRCT. One thing about charter schools. Charter schools on average spend $3000 more per child than a public school and but don't score any higher than public school students. If you want the best education you can buy, you need to choose a private school. And talking about Georgia ranking low when compared to other states, check out the test they use to get their scores. I've been told by administrators that many of the test used by various states are "dumbed down" and not anywhere close to being as difficult as our CRCT. And when you compare the US to other countries, we are the only country that test every child. One example is England, by a certain age (15 I believe) a student will choose either a technical or college path. Only the college path kids get tested. Be very cautious when presented with testing numbers and make sure you're comparing apples to apples, more often than not, you aren't.
Athens Mama August 14, 2012 at 12:07 am
I've heard that before about comparing apples to apples - that makes sense. The thing about private schools is that they cost money - hence the belief that only elitists attend them. Charter schools will not cost the public money, so people who are doing their jobs with their children will have an opportunity for a better Education if their neighborhood public school is not a good choice. I think it would be wise to emphasize more vocational ed - it's working in other parts of the world, like Finland. Then you don't lose 33% of the students because they feel like they're not making the grades to be college material.
The thing is - I'm not just concerned with the testing numbers! If the charter school is on the same level with the public school as far as test scores - well, it would be nice if the test scores were better, but as a parent, that's not all I'm looking for in a school. I'm looking for school culture, for elements that engage my child in the learning process and get him excited about going to school. Arts Integrated schools are like this. This is an example of a charter school I would LOVE to see in our area. I don't really care if my kid grows up to go to MIT - I hope he goes to a good college - but maybe he'd rather be an auto mechanic. It's his choice. I just want him to grow up with a curiosity toward the world, an appreciation for his potential, and an attitude with standards of kindness for others and expectations of the same for himself.
North Georgia Weather August 14, 2012 at 12:15 am
I think there needs to be a vocational path, not every kid is college material. GCPS has slowly reduced the number of vocational classes. My daughter went through the cosmetology program and has gone on to become a hair dresser. I think in a lot of cases that path is better than the college route.
Greg Williams August 14, 2012 at 01:24 am
it isn't about Charter schools, public schools or private schools. What matters most for students doing well is parent involvement. A child that has a parent that gets involved and cares how they do in school will generally do better vs a child with parents who don't care.
Athens Mama August 14, 2012 at 04:52 am
Greg Williams - agree. I have 2 kids - both who have been through public schools. With the first - we were in one elementary school for 6 years. Then we were re-zoned. I visited the new school, met with the new Principal, observed classes in session. I felt ok about the change. Then things did not seem right as the first grade year progressed. When I came in for meet your teacher day, neither the teacher nor the parapro said a WORD to us after hello, and we were the only ones in the classroom. Then, if I visited the school, I was barred from the classroom. When I visited, months into the year, there was nothing on the teacher's bulletin board outside this teacher's room, and the walls inside were nearly bare. At birthday parties, I heard parents complaining that the teacher was too hard on their kids, that this teacher yelled at them a lot. I defended this teacher, said that my child had not had any negative reports, but that he really refused to tell me much at all. My child always got 4's in "Respects Authority," so I thought that my child was with a stern teacher, but that he was learning to be respectful and orderly. When I visited the classroom at the end of the year, I observed behavior toward another student that was very unbecoming of an Educator. I did not want to report it; I had hoped to get a job in the school. Another parent at a sports event reported disturbing observations toward treatment of the same child.
Athens Mama August 14, 2012 at 04:58 am
At that point I felt obliged to report. I did so, in a long letter to the Principal. The following year, in a wonderful Educator's room, my child began to report disturbing treatment of the children the previous year, including being yelled at for giving the wrong answer. He was 6 years old at that time. That same year, I was denied access to the room once, for an understandable reason, but denied access all the same. At the end of that year, I requested SPECIFICALLY that my child not be placed in one teacher's room the following year, due to HORRIBLE unsolicited recommendations from other parents. After my child's first grade year, I did not have to be told twice. Despite my request, my child was put into that teacher's room. I tried to work on a different classroom assignment with the Principal, but none would be forthcoming. I refused to leave my child with a person I wouldn't trust to watch my child for an hour, based on the references. We moved, 2 days before school started...and people wonder why so many good families move to Oconee County. I VOTE FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS. If I had owned my home, I would have had to work and I wouldn't have been able to put my child in private school. I WANT MORE CHOICES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND.
North Georgia Weather August 14, 2012 at 10:32 am
Absolutely. That one belief why the charter schools don't do as well as expected. Parents get lax and aren't as involved, believing that the school will "take care" of it.
I've got all kinds of stories about parents that believe we owe them all kinds of things and services. We had a child that soiled his pants (yes... in his pants) and he was sent to the clinic where he was given clean pants. His soiled clothes were tied up in a bag and sent home. The following day the dirty pants (that belonged to them) reappeared. When the nurse asked the child why he brought them back he said "my mom said YOU were suppose to wash them". And of course the pants he was sent home in never reappeared. This mentality is what our government is encouraging and what we're raising. I see it with my own eyes all the time. Take heed people... this is real and it's getting worse.
Georgia Democrat August 15, 2012 at 04:27 pm
Some folks still don't understand the meaning of partisan. Also funny how people know what others think and feel. Must be lots of mind readers all around us. If your comment doesn't agree with Tammy's you have hijacked the discussion. Too funny. I think somebody's in over their head.
Georgia Democrat August 15, 2012 at 04:35 pm
I appreciate your contribution to these threads, Athens Mama! You can say it like they need to see it!
Georgia Democrat August 15, 2012 at 04:46 pm
What I think of the Ryan pick . . . :D He'll show the hard heart of the Republican Party even better than Mitt. That won't play well with independents. I do understand all the Republican anger and angst. I would feel the same way if Mitt were my candidate. Too bad you guys passed over Huntsman . . . but since he served his country under a Democratic admin he was off limits. Buddy Roemer would have been better than Mitt, or even Pawlenty. There were better choices.
SeniorSoon August 18, 2012 at 05:05 pm
Here is an example of the heart of the Republican Party. This YouTube video features Rep. Rob Woodall (Georgia's 7th District) at a recent town hall meeting about Medicare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=Nmo6Eoajd_8&NR=1
Greg Williams August 18, 2012 at 05:21 pm
He says he uses his healthcare plan because it is free. Well, it may be free for him, but it costs someone money. It costs taxpayers money, just like Medicare does.
R August 18, 2012 at 06:19 pm
And so does the Affordable Healthcare Act on a SUPER grand scale...
SeniorSoon August 19, 2012 at 06:21 pm
Taxpayers also get the health care benefts from the ACA.
That's right, Greg. Woodall's motto---I've got mine and I'm going to keep mine while I make sure you lose yours....
SeniorSoon August 23, 2012 at 06:10 pm
When asked for facts to back up hyperboles not to mention outright lies, almost two weeks and counting, Mitch Flanders is still coming up empty.
Michelle Johnson October 4, 2012 at 06:45 pm
Pat, You definately have a problem with people who have done WELL in life. Mr. Romney has worked hard to live the American Dream, which I see slipping from our grasp, for our children and generations to come. Mr. Romney has worked hard to acheive the American Dream. He has given not only of himself, but donated millions to the less fortunate. I am not in Mr. Romney's wealth class (far from it), but I don't begrudge him. I am insulted that there are people to the left that say that the people on the right don't care about the elderly, education, jobs, clean air and water...the list goes on. I had a Mother, I have children and I have grandchildren. The Rich Rant is getting very old and tired and so am I hearing about it!
Colter95 November 3, 2012 at 07:01 pm
I saw Obama yesterday claiming the new job numbers are proof that his policies are working and that we are in an economic recovery... Fact is, that is not the truth, or even close to the truth...
First, the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% and the year-to-date monthly average of 157,000 payroll jobs is barely enough to keep up with population growth -- much less make up for the 8 million jobs lost during the Great Recession. Second, the so-called real unemployment rate (U6) remains elevated at 14.6%, albeit down from 14.7% the prior month. Similarly, the labor participation rate is at 63.8%, up from its multi-decade low but still incredibly weak. Third, average hourly earnings fell a penny in October and average hours worked fell to 34.4 from 34.5 in September. Stagnant wages means "we're not generating income," Reinhart says. "That's a problem in terms of the durability of an economic expansion, which is usually fueled by consumption. To get consumption you've got to generate income." Also, just look at your checkbook. We are paying a lot more for everything now than we did in 2008. The price of gas has doubled. At the same time, wages have gone down, and that's if you're lucky to have a job. In 2008, 25 banks went out of business. In 2012, 48 banks have gone out of business. Almost double the amount. Does that sound like recovery to you? Don't believe the Obama lies!! Romney/Ryan 2012
Colter95 November 3, 2012 at 07:02 pm
Please don't let Obama sweep Benghazi under the rug...
Lets not forget those four who were left to be slaughtered in Benghazi... Do not reward Obama for this epic failure… Every voter needs to read this excellent article... Very well worth your time... http://spectator.org/archives/2012/11/01/benghazi-obamas-core-deceit/ These are pretty good as well: http://www.gazette.com/opinion/romney-146793-obama-benghazi.html http://frontpagemag.com/2012/dgreenfield/benghazigate-obamas-many-lies-about-libya/ http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/50657 http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/10/25/CBS-Busts-Obama--and-Itself-Hidden-60-Minutes-Clip-Proves-White-House-Lied-About-Benghazi Romney/Ryan 2012
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Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:16 am
David, it's still there we are just in the process of working out the bug on uploading photos toRead More articles that we authored (ugh!). I just didn't want to promote it and have people try and upload photos unsuccessfully. Depending on how long it takes to address this issue, I may keep June open through part of July - I hope not. If you have any photos you want to add, email them to me and I will upload them for you in the meantime.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:19 am
That is the strawberry fields. I have a picture of the strawberry fields between the welcome toRead More Loganville and welcome to Grayson signs that I will get up soon.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 18, 2013 at 09:49 pm
Rabies tag on dog leads to a disconnected owners number
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Yea, sorry David. We are still dealing with some "issues." It rejected Jason's blog, andRead More none of us, not even our top regional editor, is being given authority to release it. Poor Jason, I know he so hates being rejected! And we hate it happening to him. The people not being "bugged" by technical issues, however, are reporting that it is super easy to use.
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:10 am
I wonder. Will Patch restore the reply button and add a responded to your comment notification?
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 19, 2013 at 09:21 am
Please keep these comments coming. We are forwarding all these issues to our production team. TheRead More ones that are most pressing are more likely to be addressed first. Once we have the initial roll out completed and working well, the tweaking will begin.
TheSkalawag June 18, 2013 at 08:29 pm
I don't think that Ray needs a tinfoil hat but I just don't see the inexorable march to theRead More dystopian world Ray is foretelling either. I do understand the gloom and doom outlook and I attribute that to the unrealistic quest for the Norman Rockwell version of life in America. That kind of life was made for tv. Life never really was like that. At least not that I remember anyway. And I would wager not for the majority of Americans.
Good Grief Y'all June 19, 2013 at 09:55 am
Ray was wearing his tinfoil hat when he wrote this. Yikes! America being dominated by fear andRead More repression is exactly what the progressives have been fighting against all along, especially so since 2007. Cynicism is creepy.
Dave June 19, 2013 at 03:12 pm
I have it on good authority that the revolution will begin in October. Stay tuned.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Tom, I will see if I can find the connection.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Good news! Her name is Izzi and she has been reunited with her owners.
Tom Laverick June 18, 2013 at 09:42 pm
Great News!!!!
TheSkalawag June 19, 2013 at 08:42 am
I agree with Raven Nichols. I think that it is more important to find out the reasons WHY kids areRead More contemplating and committing suicide. GGY is right. It is a dark subject and off putting but the fact that kids are taking their own lives at such a young and tender age is an even darker subject that can't wait to be addressed until they are in college they may not make it that far. I disagree with Tammy in that I don't think girls have don't have a more drama in High School than boys. It's just drama over different things. And I don't think that the teacher was looking for objectivity but insight into the reasons for teen suicides. After all who would have a better understanding of the why suicides occur in teens than other teens. I applaud the teacher.
Good Grief Y'all June 19, 2013 at 09:49 am
I see your point Skalawag and I raise it. Maybe this would be a good CDC survey subject. ImagineRead More the backlash, though! I still think it's a dangerous topic as a class assignment. We probably already know the reasons for teen suicide. We do need better methods and awareness to identify those at risk.
Dave June 19, 2013 at 03:18 pm
Yeah, that's the ticket! Get the government involved to tell us what to think. The CDC is a greatRead More place to start.
Octo Slash June 14, 2013 at 12:18 pm
My kids drink coffee every morning because they need something to accompany their cigarettes.
Tammy Osier June 14, 2013 at 01:12 pm
Tr - the perfect diet - the Mediterranean diet has a lot of fish in it. Olive oils etc... OurRead More American diet has a lot of animal fat in it and look at us as opposed to other nations! Fish oil is brain food. A multi is good, but we should ask our pediatricians about adding fish oil to our kids' diets. We should get our (good) fats through diet. Good fats help vitamins go where they are supposed to and do what they're supposed to do.
Deedee June 15, 2013 at 08:12 pm
My grandma always drunk coffee all day and I started around 30 and I am no good without at least oneRead More cup a day but she always stated that we couldn't have any as kids because it will stunt our growth. I have always felt that there is something to many of those old sayings and did not let my son touch it.
Tammy Osier June 17, 2013 at 01:53 pm
DR, seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? I'd like to hear from someone who is actually from there toRead More find out their spin on why they even enter a contestant in the first place. It's my understanding that a woman that shows that much skin in public will be flogged or worse? Maybe democracy is taking ahold in some places, who knows?
Good Grief Y'all June 17, 2013 at 03:24 pm
I was wrong. Guys are interested pageants. You would no doubt be happy if the contestants justRead More wore the face shawl with their bikinis.
Karsten Torch June 17, 2013 at 04:30 pm
Couple of thoughts - One, why hold it in a land where there is going to be this kind of protest?Read More Just move it and don't worry about it. Other, I find it interesting how the Muslims want us to be understanding and inclusive of their beliefs, but don't even think they'll allow anything they don't agree with. Just a tad bit hypocritical...
R June 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
You mean the FEES don't you? Cause they aint taxes don't you know...
Bonnie June 14, 2013 at 11:50 am
I call it a "rainbow!"
M.K. Osborne June 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Fees is when its lightning too .
Mr. B June 13, 2013 at 01:29 pm
They're not Americans. They don't deserve to step foot on American soil.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:34 pm
Meh, a difference without distinction.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:37 pm
Huh, you learn something once in a while on Patch blog threads. I didn't know you must be anRead More American citizen to be tried and convicted of crimes against America . . . ;p I think John and Sarah could handle them . . . you betcha! They would probably beg to be sent back to Gitmo. LOL