(OK, so it has not been officially announced yet. That will take place in seven hours time. But I think it is safe to say that this in fact is the case.) Mitt Romney has chosen his running mate for the US Presidential bid: Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. He is noted for his pro-free market stance, and his Catholic conservative views, especially on the life issues. He has a strong pro-life voting record and is an eager proponent of a balanced budget.
Earlier on he was influenced by the libertarian views of Ayn Rand, but he later sought to distance himself from her atheism and philosophy of selfishness, preferring instead to appeal to the philosophy of Aquinas over the novelist and founder of Objectivism.
His economic credentials should put him in good standing with Republican voters concerned about the economy and how Obama has managed to blow it out of the water, including record debt. And his 100% pro-life voting record will endear him to the growing pro-life movement in America.
The 42-year-old was first elected to Congress in 1998, and he has never lost an election since. His youth and vigour, yet now backed by experience (14 years in office), make him a pretty decent choice all things considered. There are of course more outspoken conservatives who could have gotten the nod (real fighters like Chris Christie and Marco Rubio come to mind), but Ryan may well be a good pick.
Importantly, he believes that marriage is only for one man and one woman. Indeed, he has this to his credit: he scores 0% by the homosexual Human Rights Campaign on homosexual rights. That in itself should get him plenty of support with so many Americans shocked at Obama’s reckless and immoral pro-homosexual agenda, including marriage rights. His pro-marriage and pro-family stance has been pretty consistent, and the Christian Coalition has given him a 91% rating as to his pro-Family-Value voting record.
Because he is not ashamed to take his conservative and Catholic values into the public arena, the secular leftist Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) give him a 0% rating on church-state separation issues. Of course in the eyes of the AU he is a dangerous theocrat, whereas in reality he believes in important transcendent values which should inform his thinking and decision making.
He is no statist or one who relies on the welfare state. He thinks Americans can and should be the master of their own destiny, and be given the freedom to succeed in life: “This Road Map is built on a fundamental conviction that America’s greatest strengths lie in Americans themselves–in their creativity, their productive capacities and their personal initiative. …Therefore this plan, to the greatest extent possible, builds on the initiative of individual Americans. Exercised responsibly in a free economy and a democratic political system. Strengthening the role of the individual is the key to invigorating the society and the economy.”
He is a keen supporter of Israel and signed the March 25, 2010 Hoyer-Cantor letter to Secretary Clinton which began: “We are writing to reaffirm our commitment to the unbreakable bond that exists between our country and the State of Israel and to express to you our deep concern over recent tension. In every important relationship, there will be occasional misunderstandings and conflicts. Our valuable bilateral relationship with Israel needs and deserves constant reinforcement.”
In a recent statement he sought to summarise some of his thinking: “Healthy debate should take place within the Republican Party on specific policies, but it is a false choice to ask which natural right we should discard: ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ is not a menu of options.
“All planks – economic liberty and limited government; keeping our nation secure; championing America’s founding truths and the dignity of every human person – are rooted in same timeless principles, enshrined in our Founding and the cause of our exceptionalism. The American family must remain at the core of our free society, and I will remain ever-vigilant in its defense.”
His consistent stand on marriage, family and life issues makes him a good counterweight to Romney who sadly over the years has tended to be not so consistent, flip-flopping on some of these key issues. All in all not a bad choice, and hopefully one which will mean a decisive defeat of arguably the worst US President ever: Barack Hussein Obama.
Regardless of who gets into office in the U.S. the interest on the debt is somewhat past the point of no return for earthly government. However, if Congressman Paul Ryan has influence as VP, at the very least there is a possibility of repentance from the dishonest weights of the American Dollar, which is an abomination to God, perhaps God may have mercy.
Joshua Ferrara
US national debt is almost at 16 trillion dollars estimated to be almost $51,000.00 for every US citizen. The mind boggles with those kind of figures. Let us pray there is a change of guard in the US followed by one here. Surely the US and Australia have never had such disastrous governments in our countries histories. Yes let us pray God will have mercy, however when we look at how our nations have fared morally and ethically, one could almost say we have been worse than Sodom and Gomorrah.
Very encouraging choice all around. I’m just sad that we’ll lose him in the Senate. But it also means there’s a very good possibility that he will be the presidential candidate after Romney should Romney win this election.
Ed Sherman, Holland
Good choice.
His picking Aquinas over Rand as intellectual inspiration puts him high in my books…:)
Damien Spillane
Dear Bill, My devout Mormon cousins in the U.S.A. should be pleased with him. Let us hope a few million more Americans are pleased with him over the next 2 and a half months. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Regards, Franklin Wood
A good choice it seems.
I listened to the ABC this morning as they announced this news and it still shocks me to realize just how bias and leftwing they are. They basically said that Paul Ryan believed in stripping funding from all social services and getting rid of Medicaid. They made him out to be a ruthless, heartless, dangerous conservative.
When, oh when will the ABC be defunded? I am so fed up with them claiming their impartiality when they so clearly are not.
Annette Williams
Thanks Bill, I noticed the headline and the pro-life stance, and wanted to know more. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Alison Marsh
If I recall (from yesterday’s glancing over the topic), Planned Parenthood gave him a 0% favourable rating due to his pro-life stand.
Debra Franklin
I believe it is a big benefit you being a yank Bill.
It helps a lot to give your writing global perspective, as you say so necessary for Christians in these days.
It also seems a little pointless (and I am an Aussie through and through) these days to read local info that can easily change that is not balanced by a global perspective.
John Shenton
Paul Ryan looks like the perfect candidate if there is such a thing! Lets pray the liberal press will be stymied in their attempts to bring him down as they did with Sarah Palin.
But Mr. Ryan will need to be more than just “an eager proponent of a balanced budget.” Maybe Joshua Ferrara is right. US Government debt is over 100% of GDP. Australia’s is about 20%. Joshua I don’t know whether “the interest on the debt is somewhat past the point of no return for earthly government.” But it will take a miracle for a Romney/Ryan Government to not only balance the budget but to create surpluses to begin to repay the debt.
I am perplexed by Joshua’s comment regarding “the dishonest weights of the American Dollar, which is an abomination to God”. Is this economics or theology?
John Bradford
Praise God. Let’s pray that he remains consistent in voting with His convictions when he becomes the VP.
Mario Del Giudice
Its looking more and more positive as we go. I don’t think the Dems/MSM will be pleased with this choice even if they say they are. Ryan is a smart and likeable man and a policy wonk but knows what the big picture is about – reducing the debt and size of government. He’s a forest AND trees man. And he is articulate to boot.
I would bet Biden in particular is dreading the V. Presidential debates.
This Reaganite aspect to him is a bonus for the Republicans if they don’t succumb to the ‘Ryan wants to push your grandma off the cliff’ type narrative that the Dems/MSM will no doubt want to push with false claims that he wants to abolish Medicare, etc.
Damien Spillane
Thank you Bill for continuing to write on what is happening in America. My father (born in the US) used to tell us as children that Australia was 20 years behind America. We have advanced since then and are almost level and you can guarantee what happens in America will happen here within 12 months or less. SSM is one example. Attacks on Christians& abortion here in Victoria. Christianity is universal, we need to look at all issues at the National and international level. It is the only way to be prepared. We are at war. Forward Christian soldiers.
Regardless of who gets into office in the U.S. the interest on the debt is somewhat past the point of no return for earthly government. However, if Congressman Paul Ryan has influence as VP, at the very least there is a possibility of repentance from the dishonest weights of the American Dollar, which is an abomination to God, perhaps God may have mercy.
Joshua Ferrara
And it is looking more and more official:
http://www.romneyryan.com/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
US national debt is almost at 16 trillion dollars estimated to be almost $51,000.00 for every US citizen. The mind boggles with those kind of figures. Let us pray there is a change of guard in the US followed by one here. Surely the US and Australia have never had such disastrous governments in our countries histories. Yes let us pray God will have mercy, however when we look at how our nations have fared morally and ethically, one could almost say we have been worse than Sodom and Gomorrah.
Fred Merlo
And just to make it official:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/11/romney-has-picked-paul-ryan-as-running-mate-republican-sources/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Very encouraging choice all around. I’m just sad that we’ll lose him in the Senate. But it also means there’s a very good possibility that he will be the presidential candidate after Romney should Romney win this election.
Ed Sherman, Holland
Good choice.
His picking Aquinas over Rand as intellectual inspiration puts him high in my books…:)
Damien Spillane
Dear Bill, My devout Mormon cousins in the U.S.A. should be pleased with him. Let us hope a few million more Americans are pleased with him over the next 2 and a half months. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Regards, Franklin Wood
A good choice it seems.
I listened to the ABC this morning as they announced this news and it still shocks me to realize just how bias and leftwing they are. They basically said that Paul Ryan believed in stripping funding from all social services and getting rid of Medicaid. They made him out to be a ruthless, heartless, dangerous conservative.
When, oh when will the ABC be defunded? I am so fed up with them claiming their impartiality when they so clearly are not.
Annette Williams
Thanks Bill, I noticed the headline and the pro-life stance, and wanted to know more. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Alison Marsh
If I recall (from yesterday’s glancing over the topic), Planned Parenthood gave him a 0% favourable rating due to his pro-life stand.
Debra Franklin
I believe it is a big benefit you being a yank Bill.
It helps a lot to give your writing global perspective, as you say so necessary for Christians in these days.
It also seems a little pointless (and I am an Aussie through and through) these days to read local info that can easily change that is not balanced by a global perspective.
John Shenton
Paul Ryan looks like the perfect candidate if there is such a thing! Lets pray the liberal press will be stymied in their attempts to bring him down as they did with Sarah Palin.
But Mr. Ryan will need to be more than just “an eager proponent of a balanced budget.” Maybe Joshua Ferrara is right. US Government debt is over 100% of GDP. Australia’s is about 20%. Joshua I don’t know whether “the interest on the debt is somewhat past the point of no return for earthly government.” But it will take a miracle for a Romney/Ryan Government to not only balance the budget but to create surpluses to begin to repay the debt.
I am perplexed by Joshua’s comment regarding “the dishonest weights of the American Dollar, which is an abomination to God”. Is this economics or theology?
John Bradford
Praise God. Let’s pray that he remains consistent in voting with His convictions when he becomes the VP.
Mario Del Giudice
Its looking more and more positive as we go. I don’t think the Dems/MSM will be pleased with this choice even if they say they are. Ryan is a smart and likeable man and a policy wonk but knows what the big picture is about – reducing the debt and size of government. He’s a forest AND trees man. And he is articulate to boot.
I would bet Biden in particular is dreading the V. Presidential debates.
This Reaganite aspect to him is a bonus for the Republicans if they don’t succumb to the ‘Ryan wants to push your grandma off the cliff’ type narrative that the Dems/MSM will no doubt want to push with false claims that he wants to abolish Medicare, etc.
Damien Spillane
Thank you Bill for continuing to write on what is happening in America. My father (born in the US) used to tell us as children that Australia was 20 years behind America. We have advanced since then and are almost level and you can guarantee what happens in America will happen here within 12 months or less. SSM is one example. Attacks on Christians& abortion here in Victoria. Christianity is universal, we need to look at all issues at the National and international level. It is the only way to be prepared. We are at war. Forward Christian soldiers.
Madge Fahy