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Subscribe to RSSLAKELAND, Fla. – Paul Ryan dismissed claims Friday afternoon that he is not being properly utilized on the campaign trail as Mitt Romney’s running mate.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a major advocate of Ryan being tapped as VP, told a Milwaukee radio host earlier in the day the Romney campaign needs “to use him [Ryan] out on the trail more effectively, they need to have more of him rub off on Mitt.”
Ryan said he disagrees with the claims made by his fellow Cheesehead, saying he is “absolutely” being utilized enough.
“Oh, he [Walker] is just a good backer of mine. I feel really good about it [his role]. Look, I am doing the things I want to do,” Ryan said inside “Walker’s Produce” -- a local fruit stand. “Look at what we are doing, we are talking to local people, going around the country talking to local press. I am excited about my role. I feel very comfortable with it.”
The quick stop outside of Tampa came just a couple hours after the GOP presidential nominee released his complete 2011 taxes – something Republicans and Democrats alike have been pressuring Romney to do for some time. Romney paid more than $1.9 million in taxes on income of about $13.7 million and donated about $4 million to charity, although he only claimed a deduction of about $2.25 million from those donations, according to the campaign.
Bill Haber / AP
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, R-Wis., appears at an AARP convention Friday in New Orleans.
Ryan reacted to Romney’s “unique” tax situation.
"I think that what this shows is that the Romneys are extremely generous people,” he told reporters. “They gave away 30 percent of their income to charity so Mitt Romney has always believed to whom much is given, much is required and he is living proof of that and this just shows you how generous the Romneys are as people."
The seven-term Wisconsin congressman, who walked thru the outdoor market in the Sunshine State with his 78-year-old mom, Betty, who is a Florida resident, held his only public event earlier in the day when he addressed the AARP convention in New Orleans. Ryan received a very unfriendly welcome by the crowd but it was nothing he didn’t expect.
“Entitlement reform has unfortunately been made very partisan by partisans and so I have gotten that kind of reaction and unfortunately it's what we've come to expect because the politics of reforming entitlements has become very bitter,” he said before heading to attend private fundraiser in the area. “It's very unfortunate because if we let the politics get the best of us-- these problems are going to get out of our control. We've got to fix Medicare before it goes bankrupt."
According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Thursday, the Romney-Ryan ticket trails President Barack Obama in terms of how voters believe each ticket would deal with Medicare: 47 percent of voters surveyed believe Obama would better deal with the program compared to just 37 percent who believer Romney would handle it better.
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...can't wait to watch Ryan debate Crazy Joe Biden! I wonder if Joe will start spewing racist remarks like a Tourette's Syndrome sufferer on crack??
Don't sell old Joe short. We learn today that of all the headliners speaking at both party conventions, Joe Biden drew the largest audience and got the highest marks. Ya gotta remember ~ Joe has been doing this shtick for almost 40 years and has survived every assault. There is no way a pre-programmed and scripted, highly mechanical Ryan will outshine Biden in the debates. Ryan can't even win a debate when he is the only one on the program ~ see yesterday's AARP gathering for additional clues.
AARP members who walked out on Paul Ryan demonstrate just how corrupt this lousy organization really is! AARP is in bed with the far left liberal nuts and back Obama. This another prime example of organizations who put their politics ahead of providing service. Members should cancel their membership in this bias organization!!
The only thing AARP is biased about is its avocation for Seniors, pro-active organization and has giant clout among Seniors. AARP Mag. lands in most Senior households and is read, slamming AARP among republican adherents only reinforces the idea that republicans are out to gut SS and Medicare. Can't get around it, Seniors vote more than any other age group. Members have the right to show their displeasure either with the voices or their feet, its not like republicans haven't done the same. Ryan just followed romney, remember NAACP convention? Romney stepped in it there, just as Ryan did in New Orleans. Know your demographics and adapt accordingly.
AARP is run by greedy and corrupt morons who continue to cheat seniors and others out of their meager income! They should be closed down immediately. They are Obama lovers and the American people understand why they continue to support the far left because of kickbacks!!
How about some proof of that claim there Rick... I am a member and am not a liberal what you say is outrageous.
The faced with reality, the right wing lunatic fringe always fall back on lies. It's all they have left.
Ryan must feel at home at the fruit and veggie stand. they have much in common.
4 more for 44
LYIN RYAN!!!!
Seniors have spoken, death knell for romney/ryan right wing aspirents to the white house, whoo hoo. The guy never knows how to appeal to other voting blocks other than tea bags, don't forget boys, seniors for the most part are part of the 47%.
Obama 2012
Paul ryan is an arrogant jerk. so what so are about 90% of members of Congress. my concern is this guy feels that the middle class deserve to be become the serfs of the very rich! He is very scary. When he take the side of the Koch Brothers with $50 billion + in assets. He dedicates his life to insuring that the Koch brothers get richer and more powerful at the expense of the American Middle class. His career in congress with supporting evil policies to destroy the Middle Class makes me feel that Paul ryan truly is the "Face of Evil" ! No litlle snot nose bastard you are no JFK, No sir you are the Anti-Christ of America's future.Take your evil arrogant ego and go away. Please . Stop destroying my country that I love. You are just a "TOOL" of the Koch brothers. Evil.
Actually, Paul Ryan has been a "God Send" for Elderly Americans. The elderly voters who were duped by the TEA Party in 2010 have come to realize that they were lied to by TEA Party candidates and TEA Party Spinmeisters. I look forward to the November 6th Elections to see the return message from Elderly Americans. If Paul Ryan thought booing and elderly folks walking out of the AARP Convention during his speech was bad, just wait Paul, the wrath of the elderly is coming to a polling booth near you.
Ryan makes Hitler look like a saint. This jerk has nothing to offer the citizens of the US. Here's another republican who has never work a true job in his live. He was at the feeding trough gorging himself on the moneys that others have earned with sweat and blood. Why would God put an individual on earth that is completely worthless in every way. Early in the year I started praying for this man and his family to suffer with cancer, Ryan cancer is coming.
This seven-term Wisconsin congressman has done enough for you Wisconsin - don't you agree? Time to move on..
Jersey devil,
I am sorry for causing you discomfort with my remarks, I understood there to be several points Mr. Romney was making not just the one. I believe he was stating 47% of the public would not vote for him, for the following reasons. They being true democrats no matter who is placed on the podium for the party they endorse, next there are people on the welfare system who are life time / life style manipulators of the system, who would cry the loudest if their way of life was threatened. (remaining under the poverty line and pay little to no taxes)
There are those who apply and get frivolis grants that do nothing to help humanity, yet line their pockets with tax money better spent elswhere. (Mostly TAX FREE)
I believe that is the 47% he was speaking of, however, those who are narrow minded and unwilling to see beyond one or two points, and make issue of their narrowed views. That is their right. I just do not agree with that form of mindless thinking!
You are right. The problem is Romney doesn't know when to keep his freaking mouth shut, and has proven it more than once. He is a RINO, not a conservative. He has effectively hijacked the republican party (or what's left of it after the tea pot invasion) for his own purposes. That is, simply, to get himself in the WH. You don't get elected governor of Massachusetts because you are a true right winger.
Yankee Boy - But you can elected to Mass if your a pathological liar
Willard lives the axiom - "The ends justifies the means"
This was his stepping stone - he thought - to the White House - his ultimate goal in life!
But why take all of the "HARD DRIVES?" maybe a felony cover-up to campaign on Government time?
So the blow hard know it all from Janesville goes to the AARP convention to tell the seniors how he's out to help them. And gets soundly booed for his "ideas." Maybe, Paulie, the public just doesn't like your "plan."
This election is over. Paulie can get back to schmoozing with that oily Cantor and comparing pecs in the gym with gay boy Aaron Schock. Good riddance.
Ryan killing Medicare with Vouchercare. Good way to kill the elderly. Who gives a crap anyway they are the 47 percent
He feels so good about it that he is still running for his seat in congress!
Not that good. Gotta have a Plan B.
Just think....what would happen if he lost both elections?? Oh, yeah, some rich guy will give him a job....probably lobbyist.
Never before has Ryan had the opportunity to lie to so many people. He is delighted.
no excuse for being a rich dictator. WAKEUPAMERICA.
This is off topic but an interesting bit of information. For all of remembered history in cable news, FoxNews has ruled the evening prime time. Bill O'Reilly was untouchable and Sean Hannity along with Greta van Sustren were dominant with the target audience ~ all viewers aged 25-54. But this week, they fell. Strangely enough, ratings agencies confirm that MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell beat the Fox heavyweights on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights with the 25-54 target audience. In the grand scheme of things this may not resonate but it suggests a trend away from the hardline conservative presentations of cable TV. Further, Arbitron ~ the radio survey group ~ reports a significant drop in Limbaugh's audience across all major markets.
That is because 40% of the population is under the age of 30 and they are reading the news via the internet I bet. But here in the South, the bars, the restaurants, the medical clinics, the gyms are all tuned into FOX and they believe every word they say. It's too much work for them to change a channel or get another point of view.
ryan you neglected to mention romney can file an ammended return and get half of that back you just can not open your mouth without garbage comming out how stupid do think us 47% are
The only way Romney will win the election is if he gives up all of his possesions and donates what he has to the poor of America.
Do you think he would do something like this to become the president of the United States?
Do you think that he would put the country before his own interests?
What a test?
Give up everything to become President
or
Keep everything and continue to think that American people are as dumb as Romney believes us to be.
Come before the people as the president who is poor and given all he has to America and America will vote him in.
Otherwise Romeny/Ryan 2012 is a smoldering wreck without a landing strip.
New theme song for Rmoney and Lyin Ryan this week--- "Free falling."
I'd feel good too. The campaign money is flying him all over the country. I bet other people are writing his speeches and making his schedule. He's just has to play the good looking puppet. His speeches gives no specifics so he is not tied to any campaign promises so if elected, he can do whatever he wants with a clear conscience. It's all a joke. Politicians promises us a blue sky and we vote for them. We Americans are the fools. We don't expect anything from our politicians and that is exactly what we get.
Nice that he is feeling "good". Unfortunately for the GOP he has been a disaster. Janitors are still trying to get the odor out of the room he lift at the AARP convention.
How to annoy a liberal: Work hard, enjoy life, help others’
succeed, and thank God for what’s been given to you. And occasionally remind them
how good it is to be alive, despite their unhappiness.
Democrats
I see another of your causes has just lost in court.
Planned Parenthood covered up a child being raped by her father.
Planned Parenthood performed the abortion for the 13 year old. They also failed to inform authorities.
This child spent another year and a half being raped by her father.
Is this what you really support Democrats?
http://www.lifenews.com/2012/09/21/planned-parenthood-forced-to-settle-suit-failed-to-report-child-rape/
It has been said "You can't cure STUPID"!!!
As Republicans have said "Companies are People to!!!" THEN LET COMPANIES PAY THE SAME TAXES AS THE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!
This is the understanding of our Founding Father!!! Thomas Jefferson understands GREED!!
Quote by Thomas Jefferson
I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy (a privileged class of people usually of high birth; the nobility, the rich ) of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.
Why can't everyone see this and understand it? Doesn't the fact that hundreds of millions of dollars being spent by the most wealthy American's mean anything? For this reason I would never vote Republicans. After living through the last 9 years of American self destruction, for the life of me I can't understand why anyone would want to go back to a failed policy of no regulation and no self control. The reason we need government regulation is because humans by nature are greedy and have no control over desires or at least those I've seen in the past 20 years.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'democrats?'
How about some tax on your silly brain?
AJ, you cannot tax a brain that doesn't exist. Get it?
Hope is Gone? So, you are so stupid you want us to believe EVERY SINGLE TAX on American's was invented by Democrats and that 100 years ago we had NO taxes whereso ever.
Where do they get guys like you?
Here's the first lie, income taxes began in 1862 under Republican president Abe Lincoln.
In 1862, in order to support the Civil War effort, Congress enacted the nation's first income tax law.
Read more: History of the Income Tax in the United States — Infoplease.com #ixzz27LmyRRuO
The fact is, we have lower Federal taxes now than in the last 50 years.