Elections

Will VP Pick Paul Ryan Hurt Romney's Chances in Florida?

Romney's vice president choice wants to privatize government programs that benefit many of the older Americans who retire to Florida.

By Linda Hersey
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August 11, 2012

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Florida's high proportion of retirees may make a Romney-Ryan ticket a tough sell in the Sunshine State, the Miami Herald reports.

Naked Politics, the Herald's political blog, notes:

"Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, is the architect of the Ryan budget plan that makes big changes to Medicare and Medicaid and could allow for some privatization of Social Security.

"And that’s widely seen by Democrats and most analysts as a politically risky stance in Florida, a must-win state for Republicans, where retirees cast a suspicious eye on changes to the three major government-entitlement programs that pump about $96 billion yearly into the hands of the elderly, the infirm and the hospitals, doctors and other providers who give them direct care."

Naked Politics also noted some early tweets by gleeful Fla Dems on the VP nominee, in its article, titled "Why Paul Ryan Could Be a Drag in Florida":

"Paul Ryan wants to privatize Social Security. Looking forward to welcoming Mitt and his pick to Florida,” U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Boca Raton Democrat, tweeted. “There’s nothing brave about cutting the programs that America’s seniors rely on for their health and financial security.”

Ryan authored the Ryan Budget Plan, which proposes turning Medicare into a voucher system that will help seniors pay for private health insurance, and Medicaid into a block grant system to be delivered state-by-state.

His Social Security plan partially privatizes the system, allowing plan members younger than 55 to put their savings in investment accounts.

The Marco Rubio Factor

Another factor that needs to be calculated in the Romney-Ryan Algorithm is U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, considered a long-shot candidate for Vice President.

Rubio, who is Cuban and from Miami, would have delivered the Hispanic voters in Florida. No Rubio on the ticket may bring disappointment and a cold shoulder from a vital voting bloc. Rubio, the first-term U.S. Senator, is a popular figure in Florida. According to the "Naked Politics" blog, polls have shown that making Marco Rubio the choice for VP would have put more in play for Romney in Florida, a vital battleground state for the GOP.

On Saturday, Rubio described Romney's decision to pick Ryan as "truly inspired."

Interestingly, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, is not among the slate of GOP stars already scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, from Aug. 27-30.

Keynote speakers include:

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin

Former Secrteary of State Condoleezza Rice

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

Florida Gov. Rick Scott

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez

What do you think of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as the choice for Vice President? Let us know in our Tampa Bay Talks Back post.

Related Topics: Florida Politics and Paul Ryan 2012

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Sdodt

12:19 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012

I love it. Sure win for Obama Biden!!!!!
Proves how inept Romney's judgement is!

dl

12:19 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Rick Scott a keynote speaker? I"m a Repub and I cannot stand this crook. Who the He-- is running the Romney campaign? Rubio should at least be on as a speaker as he brings way less controversy than Ryan and Rick Scott may as well be Sarah P without the hair.

Ian Schneider

8:52 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012

The current occupier of the White House cuts Medicare by 700 billion to fund the Affordable Care Act. A message to voters who rely on political pundits and shifty campaign ads for information: DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK.

Meg Kleeb

8:52 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012

I think choosing a VP who wants to get rid of Medicare ( rich seniors can afford to pay medical expenses) is another slap in the face for the middle class. Hispanic taxpayers will surely choose Obama now also. I think Romney won't have a chance now.

Chris Whitaker

8:52 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012

That is a payback for Florida hosting - Scott/Bondi. Without Bondi Scott would be less than a zero. Also, Rubio's parents were NOT citizens until 4 years after he was born. Go back an read the requirements for president. He would be a step away from the presidency. I am sure they took that into consideration. For those of you who still doubt . . . go see the "2016 The Movie" when it opens August 17th in Tampa.. You will get the education that our pro propaganda media did not give us the first election and are still covering up. Marco Runbio will be an excellent choice to put in charge of immigration when Romney-Ryan are elected. I happened to sit next to 3 retired folks Saturday at lunch and it was interesting to hear their thoughts. They have educated themselves and realize that under Obama-Biden Medicare will be bankrupt. There are major changes coming for all of us regardless of who is or is not elected. We MUST have changes in this crooked sham of Medicare. It is a fail. Everyone knows it and it will take strong leadership like Romney-Ryan to tell people the truth and also make the changes necessary for it to survive. When people ask me this election who I am voting for -- it's easy. I AM VOTING FOR THE AMERICAN!!!

Chris d

8:52 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012

Ah yes, the divide in the GOP between those that think and those that watch fox is becoming more and more evident. Not sure when they decided that selling out to the fox electorate was really the best decision long term. It's a shame; the GOP has some gifted, good voices in it, but they are being drowned out by all of this ridiculous noise. Romney and especially Ryan are not the answer. Huntsman would have been a good president, but he was just too rational.