Another Gift? Why…Thank You

Remember back around this time 4 years ago when we were all wondering who John McCain was going to pick for his running mate? He had so many different choices to make, many of whom would have added to his campaign in some unique way or other. I won’t go into all of that, though, because the final pick was such a surprise, and a boon for Democrats, that all previous thoughts of the other possibilities have since fled my brain forever.

Historical documents reveal that John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his running mate, but when I heard that news back then, I sat across a table full of Chinese food, staring at a fellow Democratic activist all slack-jawed at the news: John McCain, with that one decision, had just delivered the Presidency to Barack Obama.

And you know, history has a habit of repeating itself.

This morning I woke up to the news that GOP nominee-apparent Mitt Romney has just named Congressman Paul Ryan (R – STFU, Old Geezers) as his running mate.

Paul Ryan. He of the “Ryan Budget” no less. He of the congress that has a sub-freezing public approval rating.

That Paul Ryan.

Remember how I thought that Romney wouldn’t repeat the past mistakes and nominate a more colorful or controversial person than himself? Never mind.

What, another gift, GOP? Why…thank you.

But wait, I am being unfair. This is a partnership made in GOP heaven. Where Mitt Romney has no moral, ethical or political ideals at all, we have in Paul Ryan an abundance of each. And where all we have in Mitt Romney is an animal instinct about which political wind to break to at a given moment, all we have in Paul Ryan is an ideology that would make Ayn Rand absolutely blush with pride but no political instincts at all.

Back in 2008 I predicted that conservative moderates and Independents would have major problems with Palin’s quirky politics and philosophies, and this time, there is more of the same albeit coming from a much calmer and less shrill voice.

But the big effect is going to be in an age group that may surprisethe GOP. Last time McCain took the senior vote by 4 points over Barack Obama. This time, with Paul Ryan, his anti-senior anti-medicare budget, and Mitt Romney’s acquiescence to it we might just see a huge backlash from that demographic group that the GOP has depended on for decades now.

Seniors are self-interested. Seniors vote.

Take your damn hands off my Medicare.