Paul Ryan’s Hypocrisy, Another Clinton Candidate, and More

Stimulus Hypocrisy:

GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan rallied against President Obama’s stimulus program in 2009, referring to the $787 billion package as a “wasteful spending spree.” Not that that actually stopped him from asking for stimulus funds, though. Oh no. Despite criticizing the program, Ryan wanted his piece of the stimulus pie. According to The Boston Globe, Ryan requested—and received—millions of dollars of federal stimulus money for a Wisconsin conservation group. That stands in stark contrast to the fiscally conservative and anti-federal spending image the tea party favorite likes to portray, doesn’t it? (Read more)

Blasting Ryan’s Plan: Ronald Reagan’s budget adviser has added his voice to the criticism of Paul Ryan’s budget proposal. David Stockman, who served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget during the Reagan administration, referred to the Ryan budget plan as a “fairy tale” in an Op-Ed he penned for The New York Times on Monday. Stockman wrote that, “Mr. Ryan’s plan is devoid of credible math or hard policy choices. … Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan have no plan to take on Wall Street, the Fed, the military-industrial complex, social insurance or the nation’s fiscal calamity and no plan to revive capitalist prosperity — just empty sermons.” (Read more)

McCain Chimes In on Romney’s Taxes: Contrary to what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has publicly said, Mitt Romney did pay taxes in the past decade. That’s according to former GOP presidential nominee John McCain, who looked at Romney’s tax returns in 2008 when he was vetting him as a possible running mate. Finally, someone who should have actual knowledge of Romney’s tax returns is going on the record to provide some insight and clarification on them. That does, however, raise the question of why it took McCain so long to say anything about Romney’s tax returns in the first place. If Romney had nothing to hide, it would stand to reason that McCain would have revealed this information sooner. (Read more)

Taking Center Stage: It turns out Chris Christie will be the guy to give the keynote address at the Republican National Convention after all, despite reports to the contrary last month. Christie is undoubtedly one of the more entertaining figures in the party, what with his propensity for outbursts during speeches and public appearances. If you can watch only one speech during the convention—make it Christie’s. (Read more)

The Next Generation: Chelsea Clinton may follow in the famous footsteps of her parents and run for office. In an interview with Vogue, the former first daughter said she hasn’t ruled it out. “Before my mom’s campaign I would have said no,” Clinton said, adding, “and now I don’t know. … I mean, I have voted in every election that I have been qualified to vote in since I turned 18. I believe that engaging in the political process is part of being a good person. And I certainly believe that part of helping to build a better world is ensuring that we have political leaders who are committed to that premise. So if there were to be a point where it was something I felt called to do and I didn’t think there was someone who was sufficiently committed to building a healthier, more just, more equitable, more productive world? Then that would be a question I’d have to ask and answer.” (Read more)

Video of the Day: There’s at least one person now offering some effusive “praise” of Mitt Romney VP pick: Stephen Colbert. “The Colbert Report” host had this to say of Romney choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate: “Bold! So daring! I mean, white, Christian and male? That’s a triple not-threatening to me.” Triple non-threat, indeed.