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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow will Bill Clinton be an effective surrogate now that Paul Ryan is the VP?
Remember, Bill was caught agreeing with Ryan that "something needed to be done". I think Republicans will lap on to that.
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ERIC KLEEFELD MAY 25, 2011, 3:36 PM 4727
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is not backing down from his Medicare privatization proposals, in the wake of the GOPs stunning defeat in the NY-26 special election. And as ABC News reports, hes getting some friendly advice from an unlikely source: Democratic former President Bill Clinton.
The two were seen talking backstage at Wednesdays Fiscal Summit held by the Pete Peterson Foundation, where they were both speaking. And apparently without their knowledge, a camera picked up some of the conversation.
Im glad we won this race in New York, Clinton can be seen saying in the video. But I hope Democrats dont use it as an excuse to do nothing.
Ryan responded: My guess is its gonna sink into paralysis, is whats gonna happen. And you know the math. I mean, Its just we knew we were putting ourselves out there. But you gotta start this. You gotta get out there. You gotta get this thing moving.
Clinton told Ryan to call him if he ever wanted to talk about the issue, Ryan said he would, and the two parted.
As ABC notes, Clintons actual speech was substantively the same as his discussion with Ryan: The NY-26 election turned on the public not liking Ryans Medicare proposals, and Clinton agrees with that same judgment to oppose Ryans plan, but he also cautioned against doing nothing on the issue as a reaction to the election.
Despite his prediction to Clinton that the debate would now be paralyzed, Ryan nevertheless told ABC afterward that he was not backing down from the issue.
This is not the time to go wobbly, Ryan said, an in actual on-the-record interview. They (Democrats) are going to run these attack ads at us regardless. This is a time for leaders to be leaders. This is not a time for us to follow our fears, this is a time to lead because if we dont address our countries fiscal problems we are going to have a debt crisis and the people who are going to get hurt the first and the worst are the people who need government the most, the elderly and the poor.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/paul-ryan-and-bill-clinton-chat-backstage-about-medicare-ny-26-video.php
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Just remember to bring your sax, buddy. You rock!
Response to Liberal_Stalwart71 (Original post)
Post removed
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)but House Republicans including Ryan have refused to compromise insisting on large cuts in social programs. He can also point to the fact that Republicans in the House did more to try to defund Planned Parenthood, repeal the ACA and pass tax breaks for the rich than actually solving problems. There are plenty of ways Clinton can go about that.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)Obviously that is not the way it is going to be, but I don't trust either of them as far as I can throw them. Last month, Clinton advocated for the Keystone Pipeline, said he supported extending ALL the Bush tax cuts, and praised Rmoney's vulture capitalism - all contrary to and stepping on Pres O's message. Also Rmoney has a TV add using Bill Cilnton's praise of his "sterling business career."