David Gregory had a bad day on Sunday’s Meet the Press. He ran into a smart, articulate buzz saw named Congressman Paul Ryan.
The following exchange took place:
Gregory: According to our polling, nearly eight in ten Americans do not want to cut spending for Medicare, even in the name of cutting the debt. You, I assume, are not doing all this as an intellectual exercise. You would actually like to get reform accomplished…
Gregory: But wait a second, but that really is a dodge. You are the chairman of the committee, yes, you’re serious about entitlement reform, yes. You’re also a politician. You say you want to do it on your terms. Law does not become law without building political consensus, and you don’t have that, and now you had a major figure in the Republican Party say this was right-wing social engineering. So, I’m wondering how much you do feel undercut in actually getting this passed, which I assume is your goal?
Ryan: First of all, if people are describing this accurately in polls, it’s far more popular than the poll you referenced. Second of all, leaders are elected to lead. I don’t consult polls to tell me what my principles are or what our policies should be. Leaders change the polls, and we are leading in the House. We are not seeing this kind of leadership from the President of the United States. The Senate Democrats haven’t even proposed or passed a budget for 753 days and we have a budget crisis. So, yes, we are going to lead and we are going to try and move these polls and change these polls, because that’s what the country wants.
Yes, Paul, that’s what the country wants. A leader. A real leader. Someone like Paul Ryan. But why settle for someone like Paul Ryan when we can have Paul Ryan himself?
C’mon, Paul, how ’bout you reconsider that “I’m not running for President” thing.
H/T: NewsBusters.org
This post was last modified on January 26, 2021
View Comments (15)
These clowns are not elected to be leaders and disregard the will of the people. They are elected represenatives. To represent the will of the people not to do what they want.
You people who falls for the hyperbole are clueless. Cut nedicare while giving poil companies subsidies whith gas over 4 dollars ? Give companies breaks for taking jobs overseas.
They have tried trickle down economics since 1984 and it hasn't worked and won't work but they fat cats get fatter.
Just a question, Rickey.
Do you type with your feet, or your elbows?
I'd talk about your post, but I can't make enough sense out of it.
Note gregory says "Law does not become law without building political consensus," which is a pile of donkey crap!!
I really don't believe there was any political consensus for obumbler care!!..
If there was, I must have been in outer space at the time!!
It's about time someone stood up and said they didnt worry about polls. I agree with BabyDoll Cain/Ryan sounds like the best ticket going.
Not so fast, Congressman: Lech Walesa is living proof that Poles change leaders!
Nyuk nyuk nyuk.
Line of the day.
Nicely played.
He is right. Leaders, lead the country into their direction. Bad leaders lead to crap and good leaders lead to good stuff. So let's hope that we get a good leader next time around yet congress needs to get their act together as well.
I like the cut of this Ryan's jib. The fascists of the democrat party and their propaganda wings will do their utmost to destroy his character with false witness.
Ms. Gregory is living in an alternate universe if she thinks Newt Gingrich is "major" figure of anything but ridicule in the Republican party.
Excellent analysis, Mr. Redfield. My sentiments exactly.
My mind is made up, Cain/ Ryan 2012!!!
Prez. Obama will smash either one like he did McCain
The Rocking Chair , Piece Of Dung , Cain , First Said That We Must Not Increase The Debt Ceiling Level , But Just Two Days Ago , Cain Said That We Have To Raise The Debt Ceiling , Because Of What The Democrats Have Done ??? W. T. F. ??? Paul Ryan And Mike Pence For Republican Presidential and Vice presidential Candidates . The Only Ones With BALLS , To Get This Run Away Train On The Right Track . All Else Is Talk .... Talk , Talk , Talk