Valley political strategists have differing views on Ryan
Aug 21, 2012, 8:21 AM | Updated: 8:22 am
PHOENIX — Two Valley political strategists have differing views on GOP vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
Conservative political strategist Stan Barnes with Copperstate Consulting had reservations about Mitt Romney selecting Paul Ryan as his running mate but those now gone.
Mike O’Neil said when it comes to Ryan’s first few days on the campaign trail, so far so good but while Ryan has resonated with Republicans he has done nothing to excite independent voters.
After a week of watching Ryan on the campaign trail Barnes said it was a brilliant move.
“The Ryan pick by Mitt Romney sews up Arizona and removes all doubt that the state could be in play for the Obama White House,” Barnes said.
Barnes said Ryan is playing well with Arizona voters because he’s the only person with a plan on the table that gets the federal government pointed toward a balanced budget.
“I think the choice has potential long-term downside depending on how it plays out. That budget [Ryan’s budget plan] is very specific and contains things that people aren’t going to like when they hear about it,” said O’Neil.
And without making a direct comparison between Ryan and John McCain’s running mate four years ago, O’Neil said Sarah Palin had fantastic press for about a week and was hailed as the savior of McCain. That didn’t work out.
