Pomposity and circumstances
Yesterday I was on the computer listening to the TV in the background. Suddenly, it sounded as if a Cecil B. Demille epic movie had come on. Perhaps a scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem. Turning to watch, I found that US presidential candidate Romney had just announced his vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan. At first I thought that I must be watching Fox News' overblown coverage of all things Republican. But no, it was on ABC. So, why all the hoopla?
Consider the last couple of Republican vice presidential candidates: Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin. The candidates that the Republicans run tend to be less than desirable. Not someone that I would ever want to see in the role of President. So now they are wanting to run Paul Ryan. He seems to be a competent, level headed sort. Totally out of character for a Republican. I believe he would have made a far better presidential candidate than Romney.
So, that's why all the hype. He is actually looked at as their savior. Someone capable of making the Romney candidacy acceptable to a larger part of the electorate, and greatly increasing Romney's chances of winning this fall.
The obvious question is, of course, who cares? Look back over the last dozen years. Cheney was able to do substantial damage to the world in his role as vice president. What if McCain/Palin had won four years ago. The chances of Palin being elevated to president (McCain now being 75 years old) were too high. Can anyone imagine the damage that someone with Palin's intellect could have done to the US and the world from that position.
