Interesting.
But I think partisan. VPs are minor figures and Ryan has never been up against a person with the charisma and smarts of Obama.
Ryan's budget was a disaster for the GOP. And now they have its author on the ticket. There's no escaping it.
I admit he comes across as sunny and sincere. But if you read the REALLY smart liberals, they think his economics is fraudulent. And beyond the smile and faux Reagan hairdo, economics is really the substance he brings to the party.
For myself, I think he's a candidate for 2016. For 2012, he's too wet behind the ears and he needs to become more of a traditional conservative, rather than an ideological one. Time gentles our philosophies. I agree he may prove a pretty strong candidate then if he can move a little leftwards.
Meanwhile, I think he is being groomed by the party as the successor.
At the same time, I think Romney is using him as a catalyst for his attempt to garner popularity amongst the far right portion of the electorate, just as Palin was for McCain - but without the Palin burden of extreme intellectual weakness. But in the end, if elected, Romney won't let Ryan run the show. If you vote for Ryan, you still get Romney.
I think Biden will remain on the ticket. He's likeable. But I think it is a missed opportunity to replace him with Obama's successor candidate.
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