Better know a Vice-Presidential Candidate!
LIVE POST
(for discussing the ~reveal~)
Meet Representative Paul Ryan. He has a Twitter, (and a shiny new VP Twitter) so you know he's all up on the social networking.
Rep. Ryan currently represents Wisconsin's 1st District. [*] He is the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget [*] and a member of the Ways and Means Committee - specifically the Subcommittee on Health [*]
Background
Rep. Ryan was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. He was that youngest child. His father was a lawyer who died when Ryan was 16. He graduated high school in 1988 where he was voted prom king and "Biggest Brown-Noser" (take from that what you will). He attended college at Miami University in Ohio and graduated in 1992 with a B.A. in economics and political science.[*] He is married with three children. He is a Roman Catholic.[*]
Ryan has been involved in politics since 1992.
1992: Intern with U.S. Senator Bob Kasten
1993 - 1995: Speech writer and volunteer economic analyst with Empower America (now called FreedomWorks)
1995 - 1997: Legislative director for U.S. Senator Sam Brownback
1997 - 1998: Marketing Consultant for Ryan Inc. Central
1998 - Present: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Ryan's Medicare Plan
The long and short of it: Government helps old people buy health insurance - the government doesn't provide it.
There is a really good write up on the details at POLITICO. There is only so much I am willing to copy/paste, but the highlights: from here.
Key Legislation:
For more information, I prefer: WaPo page or VoteSmart
Abortion
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Voted YES on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion. (May 2011)
Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance. (Dec 2006)
Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion. (Jan 2008)
Bar funding for abortion under federal Obamacare plans. (Jul 2010)
Prohibit federal funding for abortion. (May 2011)
Congress shall protect life beginning with fertilization. (Jan 2011)
Prohibit federal funding to groups like Planned Parenthood. (Jan 2011)
Grant the pre-born equal protection under 14th Amendment. (Jan 2007)
Budget & Economy
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FactCheck:Stimulus spending created between 1.4M & 3.6M jobs. (Jan 2011)
Stimulus spending spree created debt but few jobs. (Jan 2011)
America is on an unsustainable fiscal path. (Sep 2010)
Automatic stabilizer spending is mandatory spending. (Jan 2010)
Freeze spending now, rather than in future budget. (Jan 2010)
Road Map for America's Future: cut entitlement spending. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on terminating the Home Affordable mortgage Program. (Mar 2011)
Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (Mar 2009)
Voted NO on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Jan 2009)
Voted NO on monitoring TARP funds to ensure more mortgage relief. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
Voted NO on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on defining "energy emergency" on federal gas prices. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on revitalizing severely distressed public housing. (Jan 2008)
Voted NO on regulating the subprime mortgage industry. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
Civil Rights
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Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Nov 2007) Rep. Ryan said he supported the bill because he has friends “who didn’t choose to be gay … they were just created that way.”[*]
Voted YES on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 13% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 36% by NAACP, indicating a mixed record on affirmative-action. (Dec 2006)
Corporations
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8.5% Business Consumption Tax instead of taxing profit. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on more funding for nanotechnology R&D and commercialization. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on allowing stockholder voting on executive compensation. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
Voted YES on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 93% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
Repeal ObamaCare reporting requirements for small business. (Jan 2011)
Rated 14% by UFCW, indicating a pro-management voting record. (May 2012)
In 2008, Rep. Ryan voted for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Crime
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Voted NO on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on expanding services for offenders' re-entry into society. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
Rated 30% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
Drugs
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Voted NO on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
Rated -10 by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance. (Dec 2006)
Education
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Voted YES on reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program. (Mar 2011)
Voted NO on $40B for green public schools. (May 2009)
Voted NO on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
Rated 8% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
Energy & Oil
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Voted YES on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling. (May 2011)
Voted YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution. (Jun 2009)
Voted NO on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
Voted NO on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC. (May 2007)
Voted NO on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
Rated 0% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Bar greenhouse gases from Clean Air Act rules. (Jan 2009)
Drill the Outer Continental Shelf; & license new nuke plants. (Mar 2011)
Environment
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Voted NO on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on protecting free-roaming horses and burros. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
Rated 10% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements. (Mar 2009)
Rated 13% by HSLF, indicating an anti-animal welfare voting record. (Jan 2012)
Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)
Families and Children
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Voted NO on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
Rated 91% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-Family-Value voting record. (Dec 2003)
Foreign Policy
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America is the most pro-human idea ever conceived. (Sep 2010)
Voted NO on supporting democratic institutions in Pakistan. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Voted NO on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
Withhold UN funding until voluntary and program-specific. (Aug 2011)
Rated -3 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s. (Mar 2007)
Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, as official US policy. (Mar 2009)
Commitment to unbreakable U.S.-Israel bond. (Mar 2010)
Free Trade
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8.5% tax on imports from foreign countries. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted YES on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
End economic protectionism: let dairy compacts expire . (Aug 2001)
Rated 67% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Government Reform
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Government should not solve every social problem. (Feb 2011)
FactCheck: all-time high government was 1943, not 2009. (Jan 2011)
Individual liberty requires limited government. (Jan 2011)
1990s Republican majority succumbed to the earmark culture. (Sep 2010)
Create a constitutional version of the line-item veto. (Jan 2010)
Voted NO on Senate pay raise. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on requiring lobbyist disclosure of bundled donations. (May 2007)
Voted YES on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
Voted YES on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
Prohibit non-legislated earmarks. (Jul 2005)
No recess appointments without Congressional approval. (Jan 2012)
Restrict campaign donations from foreigners or 3rd parties. (May 1999)
Require all laws to cite Constitutional authorization. (Jun 2009)
In 2001, Rep. Ryan voted for a compromise to raise the debt ceiling.[*]
Gun Control
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Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
National cross-state standard for concealed carry. (Jan 2009)
Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007)
Allow reloading spent military small arms ammunition. (Apr 2009)
Health Care
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FactCheck: No, Medicare cost doesn't exceed national defense. (May 2011)
FactCheck: costs go up just a bit; jobs go down just a bit. (Jan 2011)
FactCheck: No evidence that healthcare reform explodes debt. (Jan 2011)
Open-ended healthcare entitlement moves US toward bankruptcy. (Jan 2011)
Washington Way: closed-door deals & one-party votes. (Sep 2010)
ObamaCare passed with no GOP support & split Democrats. (Sep 2010)
For tax credits; high-risk pools; & regulatory reform. (Sep 2010)
Medicare is a $38 trillion unfunded liability--add vouchers. (Jan 2010)
Road Map: buy health insurance from any state in the country. (Jul 2009)
Replace Medicare with $9500/year private insurance payment. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (Apr 2011)
Voted YES on repealing the "Prevention and Public Health" slush fund. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
Voted NO on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
Voted NO on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Rated 11% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law. (Jan 2011)
Homeland Security
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Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)
Voted NO on requiring FISA warrants for wiretaps in US, but not abroad. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on Veto override: Congressional oversight of CIA interrogations. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
Voted YES on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
Voted YES on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
Rated 22% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
Immigration
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Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. (May 2001)
Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
Rated 83% by USBC, indicating a sealed-border stance. (Dec 2006)
Jerbs
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Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Oct 2008)
Voted NO on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
Rated 7% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
Rated 58% by CEI, indicating a mixed voting record on Big Labor. (May 2012)
Social Security
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Only younger members in Congress support reform. (Nov 2010)
Invest 1/3 of payroll tax in personal savings account. (Sep 2010)
Comprehensive model to restructure retirement accounts. (May 2010)
Road Map: invest 5.1% income into personal account. (Jul 2009)
Proposed bill to invest 50% of FICA in personal accounts. (Dec 2007)
In 2004 and 2005, Rep. Ryan pushed for the privatazation of Social Security (his proposal was not supported by the Bush administration, and ultimately failed).
Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
Rated 10% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
Tax Reform
[Click to Open]
Road Map: simplified two-level flat tax. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes. (Aug 2010)
Member of House Ways and Means Committee. (Mar 2011)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)
Technology
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Voted YES on terminating funding for National Public Radio. (Mar 2011)
Voted NO on delaying digital TV conversion by four months. (Mar 2009)
Voted YES on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on $23B instead of $4.9B for waterway infrastructure. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on establishing "network neutrality" (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on promoting commercial human space flight industry. (Nov 2004)
Voted YES on banning Internet gambling by credit card. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing telephone monopolies to offer Internet access. (Feb 2002)
Permanent ban on state & local taxation of Internet access. (Oct 2007)
Prohibit the return of the Fairness Doctrine. (Jan 2009)
No performance royalties for radio music. (Mar 2009)
Values
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FactCheck: "Progressivists" is intentionally insulting term. (May 2011)
Liberals started calling themselves Progressivists. (Sep 2010)
Thinker of the "Young Guns" conservative movement. (Sep 2010)
America's greatest strengths lie in Americans themselves. (Jul 2009)
Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
Rated 0% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
Member of the House Republican Young Guns. (Sep 2010)
War and Peace
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Voted YES on banning armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval. (Jun 2011)
Voted NO on removing US armed forces from Afghanistan. (Mar 2011)
Voted NO on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days. (May 2007)
Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
Strengthen sanctions on Syria & assist democratic transition. (Apr 2008)
No contact & enforce sanctions on Iran until threat is gone. (May 2011)
Boycott & sanctions against Iran for terrorism & nukes. (May 2011)
Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program. (Apr 2009)
Welfare and Poverty
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Voted NO on instituting National Service as a new social invention. (Mar 2009)
Voted YES on providing $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on promoting work and marriage among TANF recipients. (Feb 2003)
Voted YES on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
Personal Analysis
(1) Brings "energy" to the campaign.
Rep. Ryan is only 42 - a rather young age considering normal presidential tickets - in some ways this is a very good pick if Gov. Romney intends to inject some "youth and vitality" into his campaign. That's a pair of buzz words you can expect to see again - many of Gov. Romney's interactions with the public have left the impression of Candidate Romney as wooden and out-of-touch, and a more youthful, and arguably more engaging partner - may help him with that. On the other hand, it could just serve to reinforce how disconnected Romney is with the consituents.
(2) Wisconsin adds nothing to Gov. Romney's electoral math.
Wisconsin is worth 10 electoral votes. President Obama carried the state in 2008 with 56.2% of the vote. Rep. Ryan won his district in 2010 with 68% of the vote which is the highest percentage he has ever won with (The lowest being 57% in 1998). i.e., he's well-liked in his district but consider that the last time Wisconsin voted for a Republican was President Reagan in 1984. There's no math that makes this a gain for Romney.
(3) Medicare Plan
Beware anyone over the age of 55 - i.e., Florida. Normally, I'd point out that Rep. Ryan's plan ≠ Gov. Romney's plan for Medicare, but Mitt has pretty well adopted the plan. Romney, in December 2011, fully adopted Rep. Ryan's plan saying he'd sign it into law as president. [*] Don't both clicking on the links to Mitten's website in the WaPo link above, "Access Denied" to those pages. Ridiculous.
On his website Mitten's writes "Congressman Paul Ryan and Senator Ron Wyden introduced a bipartisan proposal that almost precisely mirrors Mitt’s ideas [Re: medicare]."[*] I tried looking at Mitten's website to see the specifics of his plan - but it is seriously like 2 pages. That's it. This frustrates me as one of the things Gov. Romney's advisors told him was that he needed to boil his plan down to easy soundbites for the public - that works for everyone else, but when you go looking for specifics you don't get them. For instance, there's a section called "How is this different from the Ryan Plan?" on Romney's medicare page. This is where we get the "almost precisely mirrors Mitt's ideas" quote. Almost precisely? Don't go looking for anything more specific than that - you won't find it on his website.
I'm going to go ahead and sympathize with my fellow Floridians over what I am sure is going to be a blistering ad campaign highlighting Rep. Ryan's medicare plan. (Take a shot for everytime there's a claim that the plan will "End Medicare!")
The plan doesn't do away with Medicare per se. The current system would stay in place until 2022 when there would be a new "premium-support system" where seniors choose from private plans on a "Medicare exchange" with subsidies given by the government. Note, beneficiaries would be able to keep traditional Medicare if they wanted it (this is a new revision by Rep. Ryan). Regardless of the details, this is going to be a pissing contest over who can scare seniors more - not necessarily who can inform them more. Well-informed electorate, pfft.
(4) Whar be foreign policy?
Considering Gov. Romney's recent gaffes overseas, one would expect his running mate to have some foreign policy cred. With Rep. Ryan - not so much really. [*] This isn't a huge issue - as certainly there have been candidates without their frequent foreign flyer miles. Mittens must not expect foreign policy to be a big issue [*] - we'll see.
(5) Romney will finally have to shut up about Obama's lack of "Real job"
Rep. Ryan has worked for the public sector all his life - so the campaign rhetoric that President Obama has never had a "Real job" has got to stop - of course, that's only if one follows logic.
(6) Government spending and reform is on the table
Gov. Romney seems to be doubling down on his government spending rhetoric. This pick clearly shows that Gov. Romney wants to put the budget front and center on the table (lbr, why else would you pick Rep. Ryan?). This'll make for a very dry debate topic - which I'd be interested to see Gov. Romney attempt to liven up.
(7) Diverts attention away from Romney's taxes
Considering the odd timing of this announcement (notified 11pm Friday night, announcement 8:45am Saturday morning) Romney may be looking for a way to shift the news cycle away from talking about his tax returns (or lack thereof). Even if that is true, this is still an odd time to make the announcement. This announcement isn't going to go away so it isn't a take out the trash type of day - but you still want to have the most impact and this is simply not the way to do it. However, this is throwing the news for a loop (no one slept tonight, lbr), so we'll see if anyone hops back on the tax return train now that Rep. Ryan is on the field.
(for discussing the ~reveal~)
Meet Representative Paul Ryan. He has a Twitter, (and a shiny new VP Twitter) so you know he's all up on the social networking.
Rep. Ryan currently represents Wisconsin's 1st District. [*] He is the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget [*] and a member of the Ways and Means Committee - specifically the Subcommittee on Health [*]
Background
Rep. Ryan was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. He was that youngest child. His father was a lawyer who died when Ryan was 16. He graduated high school in 1988 where he was voted prom king and "Biggest Brown-Noser" (take from that what you will). He attended college at Miami University in Ohio and graduated in 1992 with a B.A. in economics and political science.[*] He is married with three children. He is a Roman Catholic.[*]
Ryan has been involved in politics since 1992.
1992: Intern with U.S. Senator Bob Kasten
1993 - 1995: Speech writer and volunteer economic analyst with Empower America (now called FreedomWorks)
1995 - 1997: Legislative director for U.S. Senator Sam Brownback
1997 - 1998: Marketing Consultant for Ryan Inc. Central
1998 - Present: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Ryan's Medicare Plan
The long and short of it: Government helps old people buy health insurance - the government doesn't provide it.
There is a really good write up on the details at POLITICO. There is only so much I am willing to copy/paste, but the highlights: from here.
- For seniors who are now in Medicare, nothing changes. They can stay with the traditional program as it is.
- Beginning in 2023, 65-year-olds would have their choice of insurance plans - private and traditional - on a new Medicare exchange. A premium-support payment, like a subsidy, would be sent to the plan of their choice.
- If the chosen plan costs more than the premium-support, the senior would pay the difference.
- The Medicare eligibility age would be slowly raised to 67 by 2034.
- All plans on the Medicare exchange would offer a base level of benefits, and they would be regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- The premium-support payments would be tied to the second-cheapest plan, which can’t grow more than gross domestic product plus 0.5 percentage points. If the cost does grow faster, Congress would be required to step in and take some action to keep costs down.
Key Legislation:
For more information, I prefer: WaPo page or VoteSmart
Abortion
[Click to Open]
Voted YES on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion. (May 2011)
Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance. (Dec 2006)
Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion. (Jan 2008)
Bar funding for abortion under federal Obamacare plans. (Jul 2010)
Prohibit federal funding for abortion. (May 2011)
Congress shall protect life beginning with fertilization. (Jan 2011)
Prohibit federal funding to groups like Planned Parenthood. (Jan 2011)
Grant the pre-born equal protection under 14th Amendment. (Jan 2007)
Budget & Economy
[Click to Open]
FactCheck:Stimulus spending created between 1.4M & 3.6M jobs. (Jan 2011)
Stimulus spending spree created debt but few jobs. (Jan 2011)
America is on an unsustainable fiscal path. (Sep 2010)
Automatic stabilizer spending is mandatory spending. (Jan 2010)
Freeze spending now, rather than in future budget. (Jan 2010)
Road Map for America's Future: cut entitlement spending. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on terminating the Home Affordable mortgage Program. (Mar 2011)
Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (Mar 2009)
Voted NO on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Jan 2009)
Voted NO on monitoring TARP funds to ensure more mortgage relief. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
Voted NO on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on defining "energy emergency" on federal gas prices. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on revitalizing severely distressed public housing. (Jan 2008)
Voted NO on regulating the subprime mortgage industry. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
Civil Rights
[Click to Open]
Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Nov 2007) Rep. Ryan said he supported the bill because he has friends “who didn’t choose to be gay … they were just created that way.”[*]
Voted YES on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 13% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 36% by NAACP, indicating a mixed record on affirmative-action. (Dec 2006)
Corporations
[Click to Open]
8.5% Business Consumption Tax instead of taxing profit. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on more funding for nanotechnology R&D and commercialization. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on allowing stockholder voting on executive compensation. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
Voted YES on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 93% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
Repeal ObamaCare reporting requirements for small business. (Jan 2011)
Rated 14% by UFCW, indicating a pro-management voting record. (May 2012)
In 2008, Rep. Ryan voted for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Crime
[Click to Open]
Voted NO on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on expanding services for offenders' re-entry into society. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
Rated 30% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
Drugs
[Click to Open]
Voted NO on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
Rated -10 by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance. (Dec 2006)
Education
[Click to Open]
Voted YES on reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program. (Mar 2011)
Voted NO on $40B for green public schools. (May 2009)
Voted NO on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
Rated 8% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
Energy & Oil
[Click to Open]
Voted YES on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling. (May 2011)
Voted YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution. (Jun 2009)
Voted NO on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
Voted NO on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC. (May 2007)
Voted NO on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
Rated 0% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Bar greenhouse gases from Clean Air Act rules. (Jan 2009)
Drill the Outer Continental Shelf; & license new nuke plants. (Mar 2011)
Environment
[Click to Open]
Voted NO on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on protecting free-roaming horses and burros. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
Rated 10% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements. (Mar 2009)
Rated 13% by HSLF, indicating an anti-animal welfare voting record. (Jan 2012)
Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)
Families and Children
[Click to Open]
Voted NO on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
Rated 91% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-Family-Value voting record. (Dec 2003)
Foreign Policy
[Click to Open]
America is the most pro-human idea ever conceived. (Sep 2010)
Voted NO on supporting democratic institutions in Pakistan. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Sep 2008)
Voted NO on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Voted NO on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
Withhold UN funding until voluntary and program-specific. (Aug 2011)
Rated -3 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s. (Mar 2007)
Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, as official US policy. (Mar 2009)
Commitment to unbreakable U.S.-Israel bond. (Mar 2010)
Free Trade
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8.5% tax on imports from foreign countries. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted YES on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
End economic protectionism: let dairy compacts expire . (Aug 2001)
Rated 67% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Government Reform
[Click to Open]
Government should not solve every social problem. (Feb 2011)
FactCheck: all-time high government was 1943, not 2009. (Jan 2011)
Individual liberty requires limited government. (Jan 2011)
1990s Republican majority succumbed to the earmark culture. (Sep 2010)
Create a constitutional version of the line-item veto. (Jan 2010)
Voted NO on Senate pay raise. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on requiring lobbyist disclosure of bundled donations. (May 2007)
Voted YES on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
Voted YES on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
Prohibit non-legislated earmarks. (Jul 2005)
No recess appointments without Congressional approval. (Jan 2012)
Restrict campaign donations from foreigners or 3rd parties. (May 1999)
Require all laws to cite Constitutional authorization. (Jun 2009)
In 2001, Rep. Ryan voted for a compromise to raise the debt ceiling.[*]
Gun Control
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Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
National cross-state standard for concealed carry. (Jan 2009)
Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007)
Allow reloading spent military small arms ammunition. (Apr 2009)
Health Care
[Click to Open]
FactCheck: No, Medicare cost doesn't exceed national defense. (May 2011)
FactCheck: costs go up just a bit; jobs go down just a bit. (Jan 2011)
FactCheck: No evidence that healthcare reform explodes debt. (Jan 2011)
Open-ended healthcare entitlement moves US toward bankruptcy. (Jan 2011)
Washington Way: closed-door deals & one-party votes. (Sep 2010)
ObamaCare passed with no GOP support & split Democrats. (Sep 2010)
For tax credits; high-risk pools; & regulatory reform. (Sep 2010)
Medicare is a $38 trillion unfunded liability--add vouchers. (Jan 2010)
Road Map: buy health insurance from any state in the country. (Jul 2009)
Replace Medicare with $9500/year private insurance payment. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (Apr 2011)
Voted YES on repealing the "Prevention and Public Health" slush fund. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
Voted NO on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
Voted NO on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Rated 11% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law. (Jan 2011)
Homeland Security
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Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)
Voted NO on requiring FISA warrants for wiretaps in US, but not abroad. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on Veto override: Congressional oversight of CIA interrogations. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
Voted YES on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
Voted YES on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
Rated 22% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
Immigration
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Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. (May 2001)
Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
Rated 83% by USBC, indicating a sealed-border stance. (Dec 2006)
Jerbs
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Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Oct 2008)
Voted NO on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
Rated 7% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
Rated 58% by CEI, indicating a mixed voting record on Big Labor. (May 2012)
Social Security
[Click to Open]
Only younger members in Congress support reform. (Nov 2010)
Invest 1/3 of payroll tax in personal savings account. (Sep 2010)
Comprehensive model to restructure retirement accounts. (May 2010)
Road Map: invest 5.1% income into personal account. (Jul 2009)
Proposed bill to invest 50% of FICA in personal accounts. (Dec 2007)
In 2004 and 2005, Rep. Ryan pushed for the privatazation of Social Security (his proposal was not supported by the Bush administration, and ultimately failed).
Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
Rated 10% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
Tax Reform
[Click to Open]
Road Map: simplified two-level flat tax. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes. (Aug 2010)
Member of House Ways and Means Committee. (Mar 2011)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)
Technology
[Click to Open]
Voted YES on terminating funding for National Public Radio. (Mar 2011)
Voted NO on delaying digital TV conversion by four months. (Mar 2009)
Voted YES on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on $23B instead of $4.9B for waterway infrastructure. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on establishing "network neutrality" (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on promoting commercial human space flight industry. (Nov 2004)
Voted YES on banning Internet gambling by credit card. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing telephone monopolies to offer Internet access. (Feb 2002)
Permanent ban on state & local taxation of Internet access. (Oct 2007)
Prohibit the return of the Fairness Doctrine. (Jan 2009)
No performance royalties for radio music. (Mar 2009)
Values
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FactCheck: "Progressivists" is intentionally insulting term. (May 2011)
Liberals started calling themselves Progressivists. (Sep 2010)
Thinker of the "Young Guns" conservative movement. (Sep 2010)
America's greatest strengths lie in Americans themselves. (Jul 2009)
Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
Rated 0% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
Member of the House Republican Young Guns. (Sep 2010)
War and Peace
[Click to Open]
Voted YES on banning armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval. (Jun 2011)
Voted NO on removing US armed forces from Afghanistan. (Mar 2011)
Voted NO on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days. (May 2007)
Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
Strengthen sanctions on Syria & assist democratic transition. (Apr 2008)
No contact & enforce sanctions on Iran until threat is gone. (May 2011)
Boycott & sanctions against Iran for terrorism & nukes. (May 2011)
Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program. (Apr 2009)
Welfare and Poverty
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Voted NO on instituting National Service as a new social invention. (Mar 2009)
Voted YES on providing $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on promoting work and marriage among TANF recipients. (Feb 2003)
Voted YES on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
Personal Analysis
(1) Brings "energy" to the campaign.
Rep. Ryan is only 42 - a rather young age considering normal presidential tickets - in some ways this is a very good pick if Gov. Romney intends to inject some "youth and vitality" into his campaign. That's a pair of buzz words you can expect to see again - many of Gov. Romney's interactions with the public have left the impression of Candidate Romney as wooden and out-of-touch, and a more youthful, and arguably more engaging partner - may help him with that. On the other hand, it could just serve to reinforce how disconnected Romney is with the consituents.
(2) Wisconsin adds nothing to Gov. Romney's electoral math.
Wisconsin is worth 10 electoral votes. President Obama carried the state in 2008 with 56.2% of the vote. Rep. Ryan won his district in 2010 with 68% of the vote which is the highest percentage he has ever won with (The lowest being 57% in 1998). i.e., he's well-liked in his district but consider that the last time Wisconsin voted for a Republican was President Reagan in 1984. There's no math that makes this a gain for Romney.
(3) Medicare Plan
Beware anyone over the age of 55 - i.e., Florida. Normally, I'd point out that Rep. Ryan's plan ≠ Gov. Romney's plan for Medicare, but Mitt has pretty well adopted the plan. Romney, in December 2011, fully adopted Rep. Ryan's plan saying he'd sign it into law as president. [*] Don't both clicking on the links to Mitten's website in the WaPo link above, "Access Denied" to those pages. Ridiculous.
On his website Mitten's writes "Congressman Paul Ryan and Senator Ron Wyden introduced a bipartisan proposal that almost precisely mirrors Mitt’s ideas [Re: medicare]."[*] I tried looking at Mitten's website to see the specifics of his plan - but it is seriously like 2 pages. That's it. This frustrates me as one of the things Gov. Romney's advisors told him was that he needed to boil his plan down to easy soundbites for the public - that works for everyone else, but when you go looking for specifics you don't get them. For instance, there's a section called "How is this different from the Ryan Plan?" on Romney's medicare page. This is where we get the "almost precisely mirrors Mitt's ideas" quote. Almost precisely? Don't go looking for anything more specific than that - you won't find it on his website.
I'm going to go ahead and sympathize with my fellow Floridians over what I am sure is going to be a blistering ad campaign highlighting Rep. Ryan's medicare plan. (Take a shot for everytime there's a claim that the plan will "End Medicare!")
The plan doesn't do away with Medicare per se. The current system would stay in place until 2022 when there would be a new "premium-support system" where seniors choose from private plans on a "Medicare exchange" with subsidies given by the government. Note, beneficiaries would be able to keep traditional Medicare if they wanted it (this is a new revision by Rep. Ryan). Regardless of the details, this is going to be a pissing contest over who can scare seniors more - not necessarily who can inform them more. Well-informed electorate, pfft.
(4) Whar be foreign policy?
Considering Gov. Romney's recent gaffes overseas, one would expect his running mate to have some foreign policy cred. With Rep. Ryan - not so much really. [*] This isn't a huge issue - as certainly there have been candidates without their frequent foreign flyer miles. Mittens must not expect foreign policy to be a big issue [*] - we'll see.
(5) Romney will finally have to shut up about Obama's lack of "Real job"
Rep. Ryan has worked for the public sector all his life - so the campaign rhetoric that President Obama has never had a "Real job" has got to stop - of course, that's only if one follows logic.
(6) Government spending and reform is on the table
Gov. Romney seems to be doubling down on his government spending rhetoric. This pick clearly shows that Gov. Romney wants to put the budget front and center on the table (lbr, why else would you pick Rep. Ryan?). This'll make for a very dry debate topic - which I'd be interested to see Gov. Romney attempt to liven up.
(7) Diverts attention away from Romney's taxes
Considering the odd timing of this announcement (notified 11pm Friday night, announcement 8:45am Saturday morning) Romney may be looking for a way to shift the news cycle away from talking about his tax returns (or lack thereof). Even if that is true, this is still an odd time to make the announcement. This announcement isn't going to go away so it isn't a take out the trash type of day - but you still want to have the most impact and this is simply not the way to do it. However, this is throwing the news for a loop (no one slept tonight, lbr), so we'll see if anyone hops back on the tax return train now that Rep. Ryan is on the field.