Conor Sweeney, Rep. Paul Ryan’s spokesman, tells National Review Online that he is not worried about Newt Gingrich’s comments on Meet the Press. Ryan’s budget, he says, “remains the only serious proposal put forward on either end on Pennsylvania Avenue that saves Medicare.”
“The solutions offered by Chairman Ryan and advanced by House Republicans make no changes to Medicare for those in and near retirement, while offering a strengthened, personalized program that future generations can count on when they retire,” Sweeney says. “Far from claims of radicalism, the gradual, common-sense Medicare reforms ensure that no senior will be forced to reorganize their lives because of government’s mistakes. The most ‘radical’ course of action on Medicare is continue to cling to the unsustainable status quo.”
“Serious leaders,” he adds, without naming names, “owe seniors specific solutions to avert Medicare’s looming collapse.”
“Serious leaders,” he adds, without naming names, “owe seniors specific solutions to avert Medicare’s looming collapse.”
Well said. Gingrich's "national conversation" is not really a serious alternative to the Ryan proposal.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA More Succinct Response:
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIsn't it interesting that politicians who call for a "national conversation" on a topic often do so in order to dismiss or ignore an already in progress "national conversation".
Newt: Let's have a conversation on Medicare.
Ryan: Yeah, I've already put forward a comprehensive plan.
Newt: Whoa, hey, now, don't get all crazy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse1. Newt has already said he intends to draw up another Contract With America for 2012.
2. Any such new contract must address Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security among its planks.
3. It cannot be too similar to Ryan's proposal, must carry Gingrich's personal stamp.
4. Gingrich has no alternative budget plan.
5. Gingrich must extend the process, suggests a 'national conversation'.
6. Gingrich is truly or willfully ignorant of nationwide political polarity, that all we hear is screaming demogoguery, not conversation, and thinks he somehow will broker a bipartisan reform after moderating a civil, idea inspiring, national discussion. Right.
7. Gingrich needs to go back to Georgia, sit down, and shut up.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIs is just me or does it seem like these pols trot out this hallowed "national conversation" bit just so they don't have to take a position but can snipe at anyone who actually does.
It's despicable enough to see the Dems demagoguing the GOP over the Ryan Plan. Seeing a candidate for the GOP nomination demagoguing along with Obama and Reid must really rankle, given how many House members voted for the Ryan Plan.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWe don't want him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt did a great job many years ago, but that time has passed. His personal issues and the tendency to favor big government solutions as well as his well publicized "friendships" with Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are enough data to preclude thoughtful conservatives from favoring his ambitions. He needs to retire from the arena and become an advisor as opposed to a candidate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI generally do not care for either unions or OSHA. But I think that Newt's idea factory could benefit from either. Somebody needs to blow the whistle in there and make them slow the line down. As usual, it is running at a reckless speed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGingrich has McCains problem, lack of discipline , intellectual laziness,a huge ego and a pathetic need for approval by the left.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis latest manifestation of flakiness hopefully will disqualify him for the republican primary.
Newt Gingrich does not have any leadership potential. Herman Cain on the other hand, is the real deal.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis gaffe may seal Newt's candidacy quite early. We will be better off for it, for he is unelectable.
So far, of the unelectable candidates Romney and Gingrich have effectively ruled themselves out to conservatives by their intemperate or poorly considered views on the most pressing couple of issues. Palin is making a good living without being a candidate and shows no sign of entering the fray. Huck has graciously faced reality and Trump has been trumped by the Long Form and OBL's death.
We are left with an increasingly good-looking coterie of men such as mssrs Daniels, Pawlenty, Cain, Huntsman, Johnson and of course madame Bachman, who might be a dynamite candidate if the media would take her seriously.
So much for the "dull" Republican nominating race!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt gives me the impression that he is not a terribly stable individual.The mouth seems far ahead of the brain.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhen is it finally going to dawn on people the that the only candidate who can explain, defend and implement the Ryan plan in 2012 is Paul Ryan.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHerman Cain and Rick Santorum. Cain for CEO and Santorum for his legislative experience. Electable ticket. Let's Roll
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs has been said by others, Newt is not running, he is marketing himself so that he can sell more books, get more commentary gigs on Fox, and make more speeches for higher fees.
He wants to keep the "gravy train" running, what better way than to run a psuedo campaign.
Best regards to all.
the Pindon
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDon't shoot the messenger.
Have you noticed that Republicans begin every defense of Ryancare by reassuring people over 55 that it won't affect them? That's pretty much an admission that the plan is extremely painful.
I guess they're counting on selfish senior voters to throw their kids under the bus. That doesn't strike me as good politics.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI am a nearly 60 year old preson. I have news for all people in denial. The Ryan care plan IS painful, it WILL HURT. That IS GOOD. Repeat THAT IS GOOD! We have run out of "painless" proposals. Paul Ryan presents this plan as the least painful approach. And that is good. If for no other reason this proposal is why I BEG Paul Ryan to run for President. Has anybody wondered why Herb Kohl is not running for reelection? Could it be that the Democratic Party is trying to tempt Ryan with low hanging fruit? WHO IS PAUL RYAN? President in 2012, if he wants it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusemaksutov66: That phrase is oft repeated after the democrat/liberals spout "Ryan's plan will end Medicare as we know it". Their plan is to demagog any GOP plan with "Medi-Scare". Obviously, you support the latter. Medicare is a mess...just try to find out how many doctors in your area still take Medicare patients..new or even considering dropping current ones.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe ONLY thing I can figure is...Gingrich is looking at the polls and thinking that Ryan's plan will be very unpopular in IA, NH, and SC and he can latch onto that and come up with his "own plan".
Then "make amends" AFTER he wins the nomination to the Base who support Paul Ryan by walking it back or dropping hints that he'd pick Ryan as his Veep.
Which is basically saying, I think he's not so much stupid...as cynical and demeaning the intelligence of the average Republican voter.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePerhaps things are different this time but I suspect that is wishful thinking. Mr. Ryan, for all his good efforts, has provided the opposition with a political opening, which they have and will continue to take. He overlooked the tactical requirement of dealing with the opponents of reform.
While there may be a consensus that something must be done to avoid having entitlements undermine the US' economic viability in the future, there exists no consensus about what must be done. Mr, Ryan and his colleagues must make the case that the Administration has buried its head in the same, refuses to make serious proposals and simply put has made a political decision to not lead. More leading from behind.
This "talking point" has the advantage of putting Obama on the defensive, which is always good in a political debate. Instead Mr. Ryan led with his chin, demonstrating virtue by being an advocate. Maybe it will turn out well but I doubt it.
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