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CLEVELAND, OH -- Appearing in an economically hard-hit corner of the crucial battleground state of Ohio, Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan attempted to put a softer edge on the GOP ticket’s plans to reform social programs.
In one of his only major policy speeches of the campaign, the Wisconsin congressman sought to widen the GOP ticket's appeal beyond Republicans and to Independents and Democrats -- just as President Barack Obama's campaign warns that GOP nominee Mitt Romney's proposals would wreck the social safety net and stunt upward mobility.
“Upward mobility is the central promise of life in America. But right now, America’s engines of upward mobility aren’t working the way they should,” Ryan told the crowd at Cleveland State University. “Mitt Romney and I are running because we believe that Americans are better off in a dynamic, free-enterprise-based economy that fosters economic growth, opportunity and upward mobility instead of a stagnant, government-directed economy that stifles job creation and fosters government dependency.”
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The speech hit on policy more than politics, evinced by the fact that Ryan mentioned Obama's name only once in his speech.
“Mitt and I have a message that’s bigger than party. We are speaking to all Americans in this campaign,” Ryan said in front of nearly 600 people, adding, “Wherever we are in life, whether we are rich or poor, black, brown, or white, American by chance or by choice, we are one nation, rising or falling together.”
He continued: “Whatever your political party, this nation cannot afford four more years like the last four years. We need a real recovery,” Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, said with both American and Ohio flags lining the stage behind him.
The seven-term Wisconsin congressman referenced his former mentor, Jack Kemp, in the speech and said that a Romney administration, if elected, would do everything it could to help the 46 million Americans in poverty today.
“In this war on poverty, poverty is winning. We deserve better. We deserve a clear choice for a brighter future,” he said, speaking off a teleprompter.
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The list of topics Ryan on which touched didn’t stop there, extending into themes he discusses regularly on the campaign trail -- but counched differently for the more formal speech. He also included standard Romney agenda items, such as "urgent" reforms of the school system, repealing Obama's health care law, and protecting religious liberties.
“Look, I am a proud Republican,” the GOP VP nominee said. “Our party does a good job of speaking to the part of the American Dream that involves taking what you’re passionate about and making a successful living from it. But part of what makes America great is that when we don’t succeed, we look out for one another through our communities. My party has a vision for making our communities stronger – but we don’t always do a good job of laying out that vision.”
Wednesday’s speech in the Buckeye State was a step toward trying to help better illustrate that vision.
"In a Cleveland speech today less than two weeks before the election, Congressman Ryan will attempt to hide the truth about Mitt Romney’s policies," responded Danny Kanner, a spokesman for the Obama campaign. "But one last-minute speech won’t be able to mask the truth: the Romney-Ryan approach would close ladders to the middle class with a budget that, according to one expert, would “likely increase poverty and inequality more than any other budget in recent times (and possibly in the nation’s history)."
The last major policy speech on the Republican side came back on Oct. 8, when Romney spoke in the battleground state of Virginia on foreign policy. Ryan’s event in Swanton, OH that day was delayed to watch his running mate’s address. Today, shortly after Ryan took the stage in Ohio, Romney started his campaign rally simultaneously in Reno, NV.
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Ryan putting a "softer touch" on the Republicans proposed economic plans is like Adolf Eichmann passing out tea and doughnuts to those heading to the gas chamber.
Wake up America and Ohio and WI and FL and everywhere else on the edge; Romney/Ryan will be your/our destruction if elected. Softer doesn't mean different, better or easier to swallow.
America; we're not looking for a handout or anything free; we're just tired of helping the wealthy get wealthier on our backs while we struggle just to make ends meet, have a roof over our head, send our kids to school, be able to go to the doctor, have a little fun from time to time, and stay ahead of the grim reaper who coincidentally has a strong resemblance to Mitt Romney.
Well, Ryan was reading from a teleprompter. I guess he could not memorize the speech that was written for him for this gathering.
“Mitt and I have a message that’s bigger than party. We are speaking to all Americans in this campaign,” Ryan said in front of nearly 600 people, adding, “Wherever we are in life, whether we are rich or poor, black, brown, or white, American by chance or by choice, we are one nation, rising or falling together.”
Mr Ryan have you checked with Mitt on that one? That's not what Mitt is/was saying.
It is hard for me to believe that most folk can't see through the Romney B.S. The reason he kept agreeing with Obama on the last debate was because he knew his next question would be, "what would you have done differently?" and he wouldn't have a clue what to say. He doesn't really have a sincere reason to become President he just wants to add another accomplishment to his record. If he was sincere in trying to make our country better he would never have selected Ryan for his Vice President. Do you really want him to be the one who may get that call in the middle of the night. Or the one who selects the next Supreme court Justice, or the one who becomes our commander in Chief? And what about his cabinet?? who has he got?? Maybe he'll give The Donald a job. Really can you trust someone who changes his mind from day to day. Just Saying
Its time to show the GOP the door on their way out! they need to denounce their allegiance to Grover and renew their allegiance to the American people!
These people make me sick. I don't care how soft you try to make it the point is still the same, if you are poor you will be "fired" as an American citizen. Romney likes to fire people that don't do what he wants and being poor is not what he wants. They are out and out lying and I can't believe some people are still falling for it. If you are a woman and vote for this ticket, than you are not paying attention to what they are saying. We are better off than 4 years ago and getting better every day, voting for them sends us back to the 1940's and if that happens I hope every Dem. in office obstructs the GOP in even the slightest ways, doing nothing will be better than doing one thing Romney wants at least that way we will be standing still instead of going backwards
There has been a recovery, of sorts, in the United States. The elite and corporate are swelling with cash. This is why any and all attempts to have economic justice sends them to the undisclosed donation box in an attempt to buy this election. Lying advertising, voter fraud, purchase of election machine corporations...
Despite all attempts to destroy this "GOP progress" by the American Public, Small Business and the current legally elected President...I hope that the G reed Over P eople party does not steal this election.
We are doing better economically. It took a short drive to show a friend of mine this fact. On a tour of the small manufacturing companies in my area of the State of Indiana it could be viewed plainly. We saw, on a Sunday, the lots were full, or near full, with cars. These are average Americans who are now working and doing better for their families. A drive about 5 years ago showed empty lot after empty lot. The empty lots were the fruit of the GOP plans that failed and are being stated as answers for our economic futures.
This small business recovery is despite the best efforts of the GOP to derail the economic recovery for the majority of the Americans. All the GOP do is cry about the death taxes for their obscene wealth and moan about needing ever-larger tax breaks. How much money do they need to hide offshore? Greed is a drug...
The GOP plan for the poor, elderly and needy in this society is a thinly disguised economic wood chipper!
The only thing the R & R ticket have is "trust me", "trust me" and that's it.
This is a perfect example of what should be the guiding principle for every American who votes!
Never EVER listen to what ANY Republican says. Watch what they DO! Look at what they've DONE and PLAN to do!
WE KNOW what the GOP has done to this country, and what they are attempting to do! It's time to repudiate any and all republicans no matter what Lyin Ryan says. We KNOW what he's done, and PLANS to do! There IS no softer edge to what republican have in mind for this country!
Proof this guy has no balls. Stand behind your beliefs, there are plenty that will agree with you plan but to try to avoid the heat with the opposition to garner a few unsuspecting votes is whimp ass.
Does anyone believe this yahoo?
I truly believe Obama will win on November 6th......with another BIG victory being the outright rejection of far right leaning policies. The Tea Party had its moment and made the mistake of opening their big yappers and telling us what they actually think.
Right now, the Tea Party polls about 20 points lower than Obama....which is why they are running scared away from their policies. Heck, even one of their architects in Paul Ryan is disavowing his beliefs.
It is truly pathetic.
I have no doubt that the man who said this, who holds up Ayn Rand as a personal inspiration, and who has held government jobs for almost his entire adult life lies awake at night worried about upward mobility. What a fraud.
I guess most of the public has short memories. Ryan, signed a pledge not let any jobs bill pass through Congress. The man refuses to do his job, so why do you think he would do his job as Vice President. When god passed out brains this man ran for shelter. He did not get any. If you think as an AMERICAN voter this man or ROMNEY either one would make good in the WH, you are wrong. Any woman that can vote for this idiot, and the thief ROMENY, needs to have their head examined. The Republican party is against WOMEN, and anyone that does not understand this has a real problem. It is a shame what the PARTY has come to, and how they could put these two out there is beyond me also. These two are past the bottom of the barrell. Obama/Biden 2012. I am a Vet, and believe me there are a lot us out there, that does not want these two idiots in office.
For those who don't live in or near Cleveland, the Cleveland Plain Dealer this morning summarized Ryan's appearance [Headline: Ryan criticizes Washington in address on poverty policy; Sub-headline: Faith-based community wins his praise in CSU talk]:
Once again, whatever happened to the UNITED States of America? By shifting the responsibility of "the unique needs" of citizens to be taken care of by the individual states, it appears that Romney/Ryan are 'washing their hands' in caring for the poor. Kind of like, "Every man for himself -- so big government can concentrate on big business".
Please no tax breaks, pay our bills.
I cant wait until the Republican Party takes over on January twentieth. Just think, after all of the Partying and revelry, we Republicans will get down to work. We will start with Healthcare, we will get rid of that. Next and foremost, will be womens rights, we will get rid of that. We will start at least two more wars, that damn Obama ended our other two money makers. We will get rid of Planned Parent hood. We will reduce Medicare to a ten percent off COUPON for you peons. We will alter Social Security so that you wont even know that there was ever anything called Social Security. Education, we will get rid of most Educational Programs, the teachers are making way to much money, and they are LAZY. Unions, we will get rid of that, we are even going to get the word Union out of the dictionary. Rape of yor children, we will not investigate that, if that happens, God intended that to happen. Abortion will also be removed from our dictatorship.
The only economic growth Romney is fostering is in China!
"free-enterprise-based economy that fosters economic growth" is you paying attention to where the jobs are going and who is making money by shipping them there? If this snake oil doesn't' work for you I have more but it's made from the same snake.
We are moving forward we don't need R/R putting the brakes on and shifting us in reverse, I too am a car man!
It will be interesting to watch those Conservative radio/TV pundits, such as Hannity, Rush, Levin, etc, if these two Republican jerks get into office. What will they have to talk about? They're get their wish, a TEA PARTY influenced Government. Of course there will be less and less Governmental programs. Except a major build up of the Military Corporate Complex. That's probably where all those jobs Romney talks about will emanate from. Regarding Ryan, wow what a weasel he really is! He already stated his economic plans calls for a major cut to pell grants, you know those grants that assist lower economic folks go to college. Then he states, and with a straight face, that his plans include help for the poor. What kind of help, private charities. Forget any Governmental help, that was for him and his ilk. We already know that Romney's Grandfather had Governmental help in the form of WELFARE. Ryan of course, had Governmental 'help' in the form of SOCIAL SECURITY survivors benefits(his Dad passed.) Now, did Ryan really need this Governmental help? Was Ryan even remotely poor? Did Ryan use that Governmental money for his essentials? NO, he used that GOVERNMENTAL money to pay for his college. He saved that GOVERNMENTAL money to go to college, as if he really couldn't afford to go. His family was certainly not poor! Now, Ryan wants to (among other programs for the poor,) cut pell grants, educational assistance....Ryan is an extreme HYPOCRITE!!!!!
Because the general public / middle class would run like scalded rats from a sinking ship if they really knew where they fit in with that vision. Are you the 1%... didn't think so. VOTE.
I'm glad to see some people finally paying attention 1st we had teflon George. I like this one jello Mitt these guys are just plain wrong. They go with the breeze if it's blowing your way so are they. They think we are stupid and are to be led by our noses. Take a look around things are getting better slowly but better. The economy is not like micro wave popcorn it takes time.Romney Ryan ,Bush Cheney same policies. different words.
"those who cannot defent themselves" Anti abortion mantra !
By the way, just check your medical bills; see how far $7000.00 goes these days!!!!
wolf in sheeps clothing. or as Wednesday Addams put it: "This is my costume. I'm a homicidal maniac- they look just like everyone else."
Just like them to start talking soft and flopping.Do whatever it takes to win the vote.THEN STICK IT TO EVERYBODY except thier DONORS. LIe as much as possible.So what else is new?
Considering some of the the things coming out of mouths of the House Science Committee should we be worried that they put the worst possible people on these committees?
I have yet to hear Ryan speak one word of truth. I wouldn't believe him if he told me his name at this point.
Give me an economic plan that doesn't hinge on Congress finding loopholes in the tax code that it is willing to part with and I'll consider it.
Lies , deceits and obfuscation , the backbone of the right .
and that is why conservatives don't tell the truth.
2-face Romney (and protégée Ryan) will jerk your Medicate, no doubt about it. Health costs spiraling out of control. Merchants of Sickness making out like bandits (Reason Medical Care stocks are best investment in Wall St. and greedy health providers, insurance, and pharmacompanies hate Obamacare). US Health most expensive, but only 37th best (or worst) in the world. Paralyzed politicians don’t do anything about it as they enjoy excellent health plans in Congress. Government (it’s its job) has to step in to save the country’ Health from collapse. The outcry vs Universal Care apes outcries in Canada, UK, Germany and other countries where Universal Care’s established. Romney Care (Medicare vouchers and Medicaid Block Grants to states) will produce 72 million uninsured by 2030 (per Family USA) and treble costs to pay for the uninsured. Illegal aliens (McCain Immigration bill was killed by Repubs) plus 72 million uninsured are going to cost trillions to all taxpayers. Merchants of Sickness spending millions to brainwash the Average Joe against Obamacare. Per Kaiser Family Foundation, Romneycare would add more out of pocket expense nationwide to seniors, $200/mo in Florida (AP 10/16/12).