Picking Ryan may indicate that Romney recognizes his current strategy—avoid policy details and talk about the bad economy—isn’t working. Ryan is a hero to conservatives, who pushed hard for him. His selection may energize them and allay their distrust of Romney. Ryan is more charismatic than Pawlenty or Portman, and picking him gives the media … Read more
One big difference between Paul Ryan and other potential VP picks was Ryan’s recognizable legislative record. His past budget proposals have created storms of controversy, focusing debate on tax policy and entitlement programs. Arguably, the president and Democrats in Congress won these debates, seeing as many of the changes outlined by Ryan–a Medicare “voucher” program, lowering top … Read more
Obama has opened up a steady lead in the race for president. Romney’s support in recent weeks has stagnated. And, as attack ads air across the country, Romney’s likeability has continuously decreased. Romney is keenly aware of this. He is also aware that he has three potential game-changers in the race: his party’s convention, his … Read more
The goal of the Obama campaign’s summer onslaught against Governor Romney – think Bain Capital and tax returns – was to define the man and keep the Republican candidate on the defensive. The President’s campaign met these goals as the Democrats largely defined this summer’s media narrative, and the President has maintained, and perhaps, even increased his polling lead. … Read more
Young, intelligent, and authentic, Paul Ryan is the bold running mate that Mitt Romney’s languishing campaign has thirsted for. Romney has struggled to placate conservative and evangelical voters who have been apprehensive about supporting the former Massachusetts governor, but the Budget Committee chairman is highly popular among such voters. His “Roadmap to Prosperity” has won … Read more
Since Rio+20, it took me a while to return to believing in the idea of ‘progress’, or for that matter, in the hope for and purpose of global cooperation for better economic or environmental alternatives. The deep disappointment produced by the apparent failure of the summit, framed as our last possibility out of a looming climate … Read more
Now that we’re a few episodes deep into the first season of Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom, its similarities with The West Wing are obvious. Unlike its older brother, however, The Newsroom has been derided as “patronizing,” “pretentious,” and, sadly, “naïve.” But why? One would think that the strength of Sorkin’s formula would win out. Like … Read more
The world continues to mourn 12 lives cut tragically short during the July 20 cinema massacre. Some have decided that the best way to honor the dead is to avoid mentioning the culprit in order to deny him a legacy. While subscribers to this philosophy—including author Neil Gaiman, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, and President Barack Obama—are certainly well intentioned, … Read more
3D printing is going to revolutionize online shopping. Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos realizes that and probably envisions Amazon orchestrating the revolution. As a testament to how seriously Bezos takes 3D printing, Bezos, along with two other venture capital groups, helped MakerBot, a seller of consumer 3D printers and the accompanying necessary materials, raise … Read more