From the very first day I encountered Congressman Paul Ryan on TV I thought that he was definitely Presidential material. Ever since, my estimation has grown stronger and deeper. Representative Ryan is a leader that America needs. I have written extensively in the previous posts to this article, so I will not repeat the reasons for my wholehearted endorsement. However, I will add a warning. Mr. Paul Ryan is not seeking the presidency and as the article cited stated, in my opinion, he will have to be dragged by an insistent public into the contest for President. Why? Because Congressman Ryan is a breed of steadfast Americans who regards public office as a privilege. He serves at the will of the voters of his district and his loyalty to them and his deep respect for them as fellow citizens has sent him back to Congress term after term. Yes, there are many congressman who are good but I believe that Representative Ryan has shown himself to be a notch above. How? Firstly, he is willing to listen to the needs, opinions and political philosophy of his constituents. He may be a Republican but he considers himself a Congressman. (Not the same as a Scott Brown Republican who puts Scott Brown in front of Republican. Although I DO believe that Senator Brown is a good man and is representing Massachusetts very well.) Paul Ryan does not hedge on his political philosophy, his world view, his creeds or his values. He holds them dear and fast. But he holds them personally as the North Star navigating his life. He may try to present his view to others but in no way does Paul Ryan believe that his way is the only way. (Unlike Obama who thinks of his political philosophy and methods of governing as the only TRUE way. Which Obama believes is apparent to all who are of the truth!!) The rest of us are still clinging to our guns and our religion and believing in our police who act foolishly when they try to defend a citizen.
There is a lot more I will be saying in the coming months. However, in the title I intentionally placed the word “but”. I did that because there is no way that a Congressman who is not seeking the Presidency for his own glory can effectively compete against a glory seeking incumbent President unless we who support Paul are there for him every painful inch of the way. Obama says that he can raise one billion dollars (an obscene figure) to keep himself in the oval office. Can we promise to Paul Ryan that we will do everything, and that includes our own money, to help him meet that challenge? Obama has already shown how he can use tax payer dollars to fly himself around on Air Force One so he can campaign and raise money. He was in NJ five times last year and this year twice in NYC. Can we give Paul Ryan the logistical support he needs? By logistical support I primarily refer to getting out the crowds to see him, “press the flesh” and listen to his message. Obama does not need to pay for his daily exposure on TV. All he needs to do is talk and he will have five minutes on every news program several times a day, plus front page photos of himself in every national and local newspaper plus extensive Internet blogging. How are we going to help Congressman Ryan fight against that kind of automatic publicity? Will even Fox new and the venerable Mr. Bill O Reilly promise that every minute given to Obama’s publicity will be equalled with coverage of Paul Ryan’s speech or stop over in (let’s say) Great Falls?
Paul Ryan is a man for American. He loves America and he respects its people. He will not bow to Saudi Kings and Japanese Emperors, (not matter what the ettique is). He will act in the office of President with deep American values, a strong work ethic, a driving effort to set us on a financial foundation that will guarantee for current and for future seniors that the promise of a socially secure American will not be spent away during his Presidency. But will he let us elect him? That’s a big question.
Progressive Politics 