Since when did Paul Ryan become this unimpeachable figure in the GOP?

[Bicoastal]

The way they're jumping on Newt, you'd think Gingrich insulted Ronald Reagan or some other seminal figure in the party. Never mind that this plan is deeply unpopular with most of the country and almost certainly isn't going to happen. And of course, when Obama slammed the same plan, they took it as a personal attack on the congressman's dignity--like, how DARE the President insult him to his face! (Certainly, Republicans would never be so rude, **coughcoughJoe Wilsoncough**) And the guy's only 41--you'd think it'd be a little early in his career for him to become such a sacred cow.

My real question is, if Paul Ryan is He-Who-Cannot-Be-Criticized, a living saint, why not just run HIM for President and get it over with?

[Skidmore]

1. When he made up a plan by which they could legalize

graft and thievery for another generation or two.

[elfin]

2. When he changed his hair part from left to RIGHT

Yes, he did that and Rachel noted it on her show.

Happened right at the time he mad his big move with his magical math proposal.

[emulatorloo]

10. His hair style is positively Reagan-esque! The Paul Ryan as Sacred Cow is baffling to me

A purist ideologue who knows nothing.

[Johonny]

3. My guess is he isn't

Republicans voters seem vastly less happy about Paul Ryan than the huge man crush Republican pundits have for Paul Ryan. All of which says people like Newt might be positioning themselves rather well by having on record negative opinions about Paul Ryan's fantasy fake budget.

[jpljr77]

4. When be became "brave" enough to suggest cutting EVERYTHING...

except for the things that cost the most, of course.

[MineralMan]

5. I think it's terrific that the GOP is jumping all over Newt.

The more dissension in that party, the better, as far as I'm concerned.

[SteppingRazor]

6. Why not run him for president? See you in 2016.

Ryan, and the other young-ish guns in the GOP who are considered rising stars (read: Marco Rubio) have all the time in the world to wait four years so they don't have to run against an incumbent.

[Raven]

7. This kid has a BA in economics and political science from

Miami University in Ohio. Aside from politics, he "consulted" for a family business. I'd venture the observation that he's a little underqualified to be guiding the US and global economy.

[juajen]

8. By default. All of the other possibilities are shit writ large! NT

[Dawson Leery]

9. He is a purist. Simple as that.

Don't be surprised if the teabaggers recruit him for the Presidency.

[Odin2005]

11. He's the most powerful Gen-Xer in Congress right now.

And RW Gen-Xers both DESPISE Boomers (like Newt) and have a Libertarian bent that makes them sympathetic to the Tea Party. Some of the most purist Teabaggers are Gen-Xers.