What’s the one clear takeaway from the Paul Ryan pick? President Romney’s priority would be governing. That’s what the Ryan choice signifies. Ryan knows Washington in the best way — how to get things done there, giving the administration a tremendous advantage walking in. (It is a Cheney-like choice in that way. Romney does not have to rely on staff here, he has got a trusted adviser who knows the place from day one.) He knows and tackles the challenges before us. And he can clearly articulate all these things. This is a good, serious choice at a critical moment.
And at a time when the mainstream media has bought into the White House’s narrative about the religious-liberty fight on our hands, Ryan, a Catholic well-versed in Catholic social teaching, embodies exactly what we’re fighting for: the right to live our beliefs outside the walls of a church and not have them compartmentalized by government fiat.
He’s also one the president has had to take seriously. Is there anyone not looking forward to the first vice-presidential debate?