Ryan Should be Romney’s Pick

After the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the individual mandate fundraising has really taken off for Governor Mitt Romney. Friday morning the campaign claimed to have raised over 4.3 million from over 40,000 donations in less than a day. Meanwhile, the conservative blogosphere and Twitterverse have been lit up with people being more determined than ever to vote out President Obama in November in order to put a stop to his dreams of a European welfare-state.

Governor Romney should want to capitalize on this revitalization of conservative grassroots as well as Obamacare’s general unpopularity. The campaign seems to have realized this and have been coming out strong after the decision. Moving forward, Governor Romney should select a vice presidential candidate that has drawn a sharp contrast between the fiscal train wreck that is Obamacare and a fiscally sound, patient-centered solution. Many are keen to overestimate the effect that a certain vice presidential pick actually has on the outcome of an election. That being said, the vice presidential pick can be more or less influential depending on how the cards are played.

In this case, Governor Romney should pick Representative Paul Ryan as his running mate. Rep. Ryan has proved himself to be one of the most knowledgeable and articulate Republicans on both fiscal and health care issues. In both of these areas Rep. Ryan speaks to the American people as adults. Instead of making emotional appeals based on greed and jealousy like the other side of the aisle, he has engaged in a discussion of how Obamacare won’t benefit patients and produce a system in which unelected bureaucrats rations care for Americans.

Rep. Ryan has also proven that he is able to find compromises with Democrats in Congress when necessary, something that can appeal to moderates and independents. He also hails from Wisconsin, a battleground state where Governor Romney might have a shot against President Obama. Rep. Ryan also exhibits the humble and modest characteristics that not only make him extremely likeable, but also a perfect vice president. Recruiting Rep. Ryan would also please conservatives that are skeptical of Governor Romney’s own plans for health care after Obamacare has been replaced.

The calls for a minority candidate or a woman are misguided. Republicans have never been good at playing identity-games and many conservatives are reluctant to choose a candidate simply because they have certain physical characteristics. If Governor Romney wants to keep the heat on President Obama there is no more qualified choice than Representative Paul Ryan from Wisconsin.