Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan:
America's Comeback Team

by Robert P. Heslin, for ElectionDebates.com

Mitt Romney's pick of Paul Ryan for his Presidential running mate continues to make positive waves, even among the politically jaded and notoriously corrupt mainstream media. There's no telling how long this will remain true, but for now at least the winds are at Romney's back and have propelled him up in the polls. The Romney campaign's branding -- "America's Comeback Team" -- appears to have struck a chord as well, resonating as it does with the palpable longing among conservatives and independents for a renewed and resurgent America. Here is a sampling of media reaction:

Chris Cillizza/Washington Post:

“The news that Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his vice presidential nominee today in Norfolk, Virginia amounts to a decidedly bold stroke … a pick that will almost certainly turn the race into a choice between two competing — and strikingly contrasting — visions for the country.”

Michael Crowley/Time Magazine:

“...the 2012 election is likely to shift from a narrow debate about the state of the economy to a much broader one about the size and role of government in America.”

Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro/NBC:

[... Romney's pick of Ryan is a signal representing a...] “doubling down on an austerity/deficit-reduction message. Indeed, while the Obama campaign and Democrats could point to visible improvements with the economy over the past three years (a lower unemployment rate, stronger GDP growth), there hasn’t been much progress in reducing the deficit. The deficit was $1.4 trillion in FY ’09; $1.3 trillion in ’10; $1.5 trillion in ’11 (projected); and $1.1 billion [sic] in ’12 (projected).”

Patrick O'Connor/Wall Street Journal Washington Wire:

“With his proposals to revamp entitlement programs for future retirees and the poor, Mr. Ryan has become a hero to conservatives. Mr. Romney is also sending a signal that the election will be about big ideas and stark differences between the two parties about the size of government, not just a campaign about who’s to blame for the economy.”

Combine this with Team Romney's characteristically efficient rollout of advance teams in battleground states and there is much for Republicans to be optimistic about as the heart of the election season approaches.

Another good sign: Romney's campaign has raised $3.5 million online in the 24 hours following his Ryan announcement.

The opposition has also noticed: Democrats wasted no time in unleashing an entirely predictable wave of class-warfare-style attacks and distortions on Paul Ryan’s budget proposals. The Obama machine led the way, deploying a negative website just minutes after Romney’s announcement.

Expect the Democrats to move heaven and earth between now and election day to destroy Ryan’s public image. Before Romney's announcement, Rasmussen reported 39 percent of all voters held a positive opinion of Ryan, compared to 25 percent with a negative view. The battle is on for both sides to shape the public's perceptions. It will be a fierce fight.

According to Scott Rasmussen, the mechanics of Romney’s VP roll-out are crucially important – as important as the choice itself :

“Most Americans will learn all they know about the new name on the ticket during the week the candidate is introduced. While 69% of Republicans have a favorable opinion of Ryan, 42% of voters not affiliated with either major political party have no opinion of him one way or the other at this point.”

We believe Mitt Romney has made an excellent choice with Paul Ryan. He has electrified the party's conservative base and done much to placate its restive Tea Party wing.

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