Democrats and Republicans React to Ryan’s Selection for VP
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Congressman Jim Langevin (D-2) reaction to Governor Romney choosing Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate:
"Today’s announcement only reinforces the clear choice in this election," said Langevin. "By choosing Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate, Governor Romney has demonstrated his wholehearted support for the House Republican budget authored by Congressman Ryan. This proposal ends the Medicare guarantee as we know it and gives more and more breaks to the very wealthy, Wall Street and special interests, which our nation can’t afford, in the hope that the benefits will trickle down to everyone else. We tried that approach and it didn’t help the middle class, even before the recession.
"President Obama understands that it was a robust middle class that made us the most powerful and prosperous nation in the world and that when we pursue policies that support the middle class it gives increased opportunities to all Americans. We need to get rid of those unnecessary tax breaks and subsidies as we try to bring down our debt and get our fiscal house in order, while supporting policies that strengthen the middle class, such as improving education and job training."
Michael Riley, GOP Candidate for Congress in the 2nd District:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Paul Ryan represents a new generation for America. Tested by the budget battles of the last 4 years, he is willing to open discussion on topics that America clearly needs to address. Whether or not one agrees with Mr. Ryan, all should accept his intellectual honesty and courage in attacking the problems that face America. Governor Romney has made a bold choice that should serve him well."
Stephanie DeSilva Mandeville, Executive Director, Rhode Island Democratic Party:
“Governor Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan demonstrates the Republicans are doubling down on leaving the middle class and struggling Americans out in the cold,” said Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco. “Ryan, the architect of the radical Republican Budget in the House, shares Romney’s commitment to tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, slashes to education, and sweeping alterations to Medicare as we know it. The Romney Ryan ticket should be dubbed the Farewell Tour; say goodbye to Medicare as we know it, goodbye to Head Start and Pell Grants, and goodbye to security for our seniors.”
Anthony Gemma, Democratic Candidate for Congress in the 1st District on Mitt Romney's Choice of VP:
"Mitt Romney’s selection of seven-term Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan to be his running mate amounts to a giant concession to the most conservative wing of the Republican Party. Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, has put forward a deficit reduction plan he calls the "Roadmap for America's Future." Under its terms, the top tax rates would be cut to 25 percent from 35 percent, all taxes on capital gains, interest, and stock dividends would be eliminated, Social Security would be privatized, and Medicare would be turned into a voucher. It is impossible to think of a more disastrous course to chart for America – a course that would take us backward in time, through the horrors of Bush II and Reaganomics, all the way to a pre-New Deal era that would harm the Middle Class and abandon the neediest members of our society, especially senior citizens."
Barry Hinckley, Republican U.S. Senate Candidate:
Not only does Paul Ryan bring youth to the table, but he also brings the knowledge, expertise, and vision we need to get our fiscal house in order. But this election is not about Paul Ryan, it's about getting America working again. Unfortunately, under President Obama, we have seen our gas prices double, food prices soar, an additional $5 trillion dollars in debt, and unemployment above 8% for 42 straight months. It is obvious America and Rhode Island need to change direction.
Cicilline Campaign Statement on Paul Ryan's selection as VP nominee:
"The fact that Mitt Romney just selected the architect of the plan to end the guarantee of Medicare to be his running mate shows just how far-right the Republican Party has become. The prospect of Romney and Ryan in the White House makes it even more critical that we don't send more Republicans like Brendan Doherty to Congress to strengthen the Republican majority. Brendan Doherty was an early endorser of Mitt Romney and has said he applauds Paul Ryan and has said the Ryan Plan is a "prudent approach," and the last thing Rhode Islanders need in Washington is one more vote to advance the Republicans' far-right agenda that is bad for seniors, women, and the middle class."
Mark Zaccaria, RI GOP Chairman:
"Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as running mate sends an clear signal that he wants the 2012 Election to be a national referendum on which America we want to live in. The Ryan Budget is the most comprehensive and detailed plan out there to put the US Government on a firm financial footing. Although the final Romney Administration
Initiative may be an amalgamation of the Ryan Plan and the Boles/Simpson outline, the result will be a stark contrast to inflationary and unsupportable spending policies of today.
It's time for all American to decide which of those two paths is best for them, their children, and the rest of their fellow citizens."
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse:
“With the decision to put Paul Ryan on the ticket, the Republicans have decided to double down on the extreme policies that hurt middle class Rhode Island families. Paul Ryan is the architect of the radical Republican plan to end Medicare as we know it and has proposed making drastic cuts to the Pell Grant and Social Security. All of this while giving even bigger tax breaks to the rich. The stakes in this election could not be higher."
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