Romney-Ryan Could Be Cast as a Vote for Austerity

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), just selected as the running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, may or may not help Republicans to win the presidency. Yes, the 42-year-old conservative will energize the GOP base as he aids Romney in matching Obama's efforts to make November a "choice" rather than "referendum" election. But, nevertheless, Romney's closer association with Ryan's aggressive budget proposals will give Democrats a new target with which to dilute the GOP's crucial advantage among white working class voters, in particular.

Ryan's biggest impact could come in the battle for Senate control. On Tuesday, a Republical primary will be held in Ryan's home state of Wisconsin, and it will work to spotlight which of three candidates might win the right to challenge liberal Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for the seat of retiring Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) -- a seat that's perhaps a bit more vulnerable now. A GOP pick-up would greatly increase the odds of at least a 50-50 tie, or 51-49 Republican-controlled Senate -- which, while it would largely produce gridlock, could also work to check the Obama regulatory agenda....584 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.

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