Paul Ryan Is No Ron Paul

JANE AITKEN (BEDFORD PATCH) – There is much abuzz over Mitt Romney’s announcement naming Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate.

But many see the naming of Paul Ryan as unimpressive and even premature and just another indication of a desperate move by Mitt Romney to distract from the idea that the “presumptive nominee” has in truth, been fighting for his political life.

A nominee has yet to be chosen at the RNC Convention in Tampa later this month. And some say recent attempts by the Romney campaign to rule-break and manipulate the caucuses in order to steal delegates from other candidates is a glaring indication that Mitt Romney himself isn’t all that confident.

One noted liberty activist even suggested that by choosing Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney had chosen an “imitation Ron Paul.”

There are at least two, if not more, factions of tea partiers who will be swelling the ranks of the convention and at separate tea party rallies and none of them want a Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket.

Add to that, a new group of social conservatives who have jumped on the ‘Dump Romney’ bandwagon urging delegates not to vote for Mitt Romney at the convention, even if they’re bound to him. (RNC rules say NO delegates are bound) So it looks like Romney recognizes that he will be bracing for a fight.

Asked if Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as running-mate would make any difference to conservatives, constitutionalists and tea party types as to whether it would help them come around to the Romney camp, most who are familiar with Paul Ryan’s record say “not a chance.”

Here’s why: An evaluation of Paul Ryan’s record by the Republican Liberty Caucus in 2008 found actions by Ryan that likely would not sit well with small government conservatives. It stated, “It appears that when Paul Ryan’s party is doing the spending, raising debt limits and acting unconstitutionally… Ryan goes with the flow.” Congressman Ryan’s actual record leaves much to be desired.

The issue Paul Ryan is most known for is his interest in cutting the deficit and balancing the budget. But why did Congressman Ryan vote to bail out the auto industry, to pass the Medicare package to the tune of $400 billion, and to nationalize education via No Child Left Behind?“

Paul Ryan on Bailouts and Government Stimuli

Ryan Voted → YES on TARP (2008)

Ryan Voted → YES on Economic Stimulus HR 5140 (2008)

Ryan Voted → YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)

Ryan Voted → YES on $192B in added stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)

Paul Ryan on Entitlement Programs

Ryan Voted → YES on limiting Medicare drug benefits. (Nov 2003)

Ryan Voted → YES on $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers.

Ryan Voted → YES on extending unemployment benefits 20 weeks.

Ryan Voted → YES on Head Start Act (2007)

Paul Ryan on Education

Rep. Ryan went along with the Bush Administration in supporting more federal involvement in education. This is contrary to the traditional Republican position, which included support for abolition of the Department of Education and decreasing federal involvement in education.

Ryan Voted → YES on No Child Left Behind Act (2001)

Paul Ryan on Civil Liberties

Ryan Voted → YES on federal driver licenses to hinder terrorists

Ryan Voted → YES on a permanent PATRIOT Act. (Dec 2005)

Ryan Voted → YES on warrantless electronic surveillance. (Sep 2006)

Paul Ryan on War and Intervention Abroad

Ryan Voted → YES on authorizing military force in Iraq.

Ryan Voted → YES on $78B wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)

Ryan Voted → YES on invading Iraq without an exit date. (Jun 2006)

Ryan Voted → NO on troops withdraw from Iraq in 90 days. (May 2007)

Congressman Ryan supports the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, federal bailouts, increased federal involvement in education, unconstitutional and undeclared wars, Medicare Part D (a multi-trillion dollar unfunded liability,) stimulus spending, and foreign aid. [Editor’s note: Ryan also supports sacrificing civil liberties in the name of National Security. Here and here too.]

According to Michelle Malkin in 2009, “[Paul Ryan]”… “hyped as a conservative rock-star” …. ” gave one of the most hysterical speeches in the rush to pass TARP last fall; voted for the auto bailout; and voted with the Barney Frank-Nancy Pelosi AIG bonus-bashing stampede.”

Milwaukee blogger Nick Schweitzer wrote:

“He ought to be apologizing for his previous votes, not pretending he was being responsible the entire time, but I don’t see one bit of regret for what he did previously. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him get away with it’.”

Congressman Ron Paul speaking to Neil Cavuto, stated he thought Paul Ryan’s budget plan “doesn’t cut anything of substance.” Ron Paul is the only other candidate whose name will appear on the ballot at the RNC Convention and who is seen by many as a breath of fresh air for daring to tell the truth about many issues. Cavuto admitted that Paul Ryan’s budget, compared to Ron Paul’s, was “mild.”

So when it comes to Paul Ryan, I guess you could sum it up this way: “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Jane Aitken is founder of the New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition.

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