Both John McCain and Mitt Romney made bold choices when it came to selecting their Republican vice presidential candidates.
There is a difference, though.
McCain's 2008 choice of the charismatic but staggeringly ignorant Sarah Palin was bold and irresponsible.
Romney's selection Saturday of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan was bold and _ no matter what one might think of his politics _ utterly responsible.
While all vice presidential picks are designed to help win an election, Romney _ unlike McCain _ had an eye on governance after all the votes are counted.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, is the intellectual leader of the Republican Party.
Nowhere is the divide between Republicans and Democrats more evident than in Ryan's "Path to Prosperity" budget outline.
Republicans say Ryan's cuts in spending, reductions in the top rate of income tax, salary freezes for federal workers and changes to Medicare are necessary to balance the budget.
Democrats say Ryan would penalize the middle class and poor while making the very wealthy even wealthier. They gleefully point out that under Ryan's plan, Romney would have paid only 1 percent income tax on his 2010 earnings.
Democrats note that even Ryan admits that his plan would not balance the budget until 2040 and that independent analyses say that middle class taxes would rise.
We admire Ryan for having the political courage to actually put Medicare on the table. Polls have indicated that the program is immensely popular, particularly with senior citizens. To advocate creating a voucher system and ending Medicare "as we know it," is beyond risky for any politician, and Romney and Ryan have their work cut out for them with voters.
Already, Romney has indicated that he is distancing himself a bit from Ryan's plan. Massachusetts GOP Sen. Scott Brown, embroiled in a tight re-election campaign, was quick to point out Monday that he voted against Ryan's plan.
What the selection of Ryan does is bring into focus what had been a rather fuzzy distinction between the economic plans of President Barack Obama and Romney.
Democrats will do their utmost to define Ryan and his budget in the most uncomplimentary terms possible while the GOP will hasten to frame things in its own language.
"Do not say: 'entitlement reform,' 'privatization,' 'every option is on the table,'" the National Republican Congressional Committee said in an email memo after Ryan was selected. "Do say: 'strengthen,' 'secure,' 'save,' 'preserve, 'protect.'"
What is not in doubt is that unlike four years ago, the Republican vice presidential candidate is a serious, informed person, and Americans have been given a serious choice.
Editorials
Romney pick gives voters a genuine choice
- Editorials
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
Continued ... -
Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
Continued ... -
Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
Continued ... -
Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
Continued ... -
IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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Cheers
To three longtime public servants who recently announced their decisions to leave their posts.
Continued ... - Monday, May 13, 2013
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Military culture of abuse must change
26,000.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 11, 2013
- Remember mothers on their day
- Friday, May 10, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cellphone alert system can only help
Since the early days of radio, broadcasters have been able to break into programming to alert listeners about dangerous situations.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 9, 2013
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Home rule decision is good for all
What lawyer Thomas West called an "exit strategy" for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, we call common sense, plain and simple.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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Internet tax would benefit local businesses
Let's suppose you're the owner of a bicycle business in our area, and a customer comes in to look at a new bike. He asks you questions about it, maybe even sits on it or takes it for a spin. He compares it with other models, looks at the color and checks out what would be the best size for him.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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Cheers
To the city of Oneonta's tree giveaway, the town of Hartwick's "Clean Sweep" day, and Bassett Healthcare's patient-centered medical home program.
Continued ... - Monday, May 6, 2013
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In our opinion: Take steps to prevent fire tragedy
Oftentimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to do the little things that may save our lives.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Collins deserves to be cheered
It's likely that unless you are a big basketball fan, you never heard of Jason Collins before Monday, when he became the first active player in any of the four major American professional sports to announce that he is gay.
Continued ... - Friday, May 3, 2013
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College's amnesty policy can save lives
The statistics on overdoses among college-age Americans are downright sobering.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 2, 2013
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Reality of sequester is scary enough
"Scare tactics" was a phrase used frequently by President Barack Obama's critics about the sequester.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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Let LDC handle Manor sale
It's a dilemma, make no mistake about it.
Continued ... - Tuesday, April 30, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cheers
To OH-Fest, Kevin Rous for his fundraising derby car, and Cathy Decker on her Green Cap award.
Continued ... - Monday, April 29, 2013
- Keep working on common core test
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On our Opinion: Cheers



