Ryan and Thompson, Two Conservative Paths

It’s been virtually ignored in the wake of Paul Ryan’s ascension to the presidential ticket, but Wisconsin’s Senate primary is today – and the trajectory of the race speaks to how much the Republican electorate has evolved.

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson is on the ballot, something of a political godfather to Republicans like Ryan. A leader in advancing the conservative causes like welfare reform and school choice as governor in the 1990s, he was—like Ryan today—a leading vice-presidential contender in the 1996 and 2000 elections.

But Thompson’s stock has fallen markedly since his heyday. He worked as a lobbyist after leaving the Bush administration where he served as HHS Secretary, and came out for elements of President Obama’s health care proposal. To some conservative activists, he exemplifies what’s wrong with politicians, making good money after a distinguished career but compromising principles in the process.

So despite his impressive record and resume, Thompson will be lucky to crack 30 percent of the vote. If he wins, it will be because his three challengers closely split the electorate. Ryan has stayed out of the primary, despite his past loyalty to Thompson.

Since 2010, Republican primary voters have shown they’re drawn to principled conservative candidates who have kept their distance from Washington. They feel like they’ve found an ally in Ryan, who was a lonely advocate for entitlement reform before it became a Republican cause célèbre, and who trekked back home to Wisconsin most weekends, sleeping in his office during the week rather than renting a place in Washington.  

Thompson, for all his past conservative virtues, took the well-worn path from elected official to lobbyist. There’s nothing unusual about that, but it explains why he’s struggled to recapture the glory of years past—a pretty sharp contrast to his protégé, who’s now number two on the GOP’s presidential ticket.

—Josh Kraushaar, Hotline executive editor

NATIONAL JOURNAL’S PRESIDENTIAL RACE REPORT

Obama Looks to Rediscover Old Magic in Iowa 
[National Journal, 8/14/12] Iowa is up for grabs this fall, with polls showing a close race. National Journal’s Alex Roarty writes that this explains why the president has already spent seven days campaigning in Iowa this year, a frequency that feels disproportionate for a state that only has six electoral votes. 

House Dems Target 50 Foes in Ryan-Medicare Attacks NEW!
[National Journal, 8/14/12] With Romney’s veep selection, the pre-planned Democratic strategy to hang Ryan’s Medicare approaches around the necks of dozens of House Republicans has now become an all-out blitz. 

Tim Pawlenty Sat on Secret That It Wasn't Him 
[ABC News, 8/14/12] Shushannah Walshe describes what it’s like reporting on the nicest man in politics, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Even after being passed for the VP spot for the second time, he remained loyal and kept silent.

The Obama Budget: By the Numbers 
[National Journal, 8/14/12] From sequestration to social security, National Journal’s Katy O’Donnell explores Obama’s budget proposal. Check out O’Donnell’s breakdown of Ryan’s budget for contrast. 

Obama, Romney Can Expect Convention Bumps – But Maybe Not For Long
[National Journal, 8/14/12] Since 1964, the medium “bounce” earned by presidential candidates after their conventions has been 5 percentage points – and it should be no different this year. But sustaining those bumps is no sure thing.

Chris Christie to Deliver Keynote at GOP Convention
[USA Today, 8/13/12] New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, once thought to be at the top of Romney’s VP shortlist, will deliver the keynote address at the Republican National Convention later this month. Meanwhile, The Tampa Bay Times reports that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, another former VP contender, will introduce Romney.

Retirees Shower Ryan With Contributions
[Roll Call, 8/13/12] Democrats say Ryan, with his controversial budget proposal to dramatically reshape Medicare, is a senior citizen’s worst nightmare. But Ryan seems to have no problem with this group: Ryan has drawn nearly $400,000 from seniors this election cycle.

Ryan’s Budget is Quandary For Some Catholic Voters
[Los Angeles Times, 8/13/12] Ryan often says that his Catholicism has guided his political positions. But some Roman Catholics say his budget proposal twists church teachings on caring for the poor and shielding the vulnerable to justify cutting the social safety net.

Romney Team Assails Obama ‘Character’ Over Cancer Ad 
[National Journal, 8/14/12] The Romney campaign has released a stinging new ad that calls out an advertisement by a pro-Obama super PAC that has been awarded “four Pinnochios” by The Washington Post’s fact-checker for shaky claims linking Romney to the death of a woman. 

Welcoming Romney in East Ohio
[Wheeling News-Register, 8/14/12] The paper’s editorial board writes that Romney’s views have matured to the point that he understands the importance of coal to millions of Americans. The presumptive GOP nominee visits southeast Ohio on Monday, where his first stop is a meeting with coal mining families.

Ryan’s Record Shows Flexibility on Policy
[Wall Street Journal, 8/13/12] From voting for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Bush-era Medicare prescription-drug benefit, and an early version of the auto-industry bailout, Ryan’s actions show more flexibility than many tea-partiers. But this history illustrates why it can be difficult for members of Congress to make the leap to the White House.

Ryan Opposed Debt Reduction Plan Romney Used as a Model
[Bloomberg, 8/14/12] Ryan was a pivotal figure in killing the 2010 Bowles-Simpson agreement, which Romney now holds out as a model for putting America’s fiscal house in order. 

Read NJ political convention news | Download NJ’s conventions app