Pelosi says Ryan pick makes it easier for Dems to take House
(CNN) – Mitt Romney's pick of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate will give Democrats a better shot at retaking control of the House of Representatives, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, said in an interview airing Sunday.
Pelosi, a Democrat, said Ryan's plan to overhaul Medicare was a nonstarter among senior citizens, meaning Democrats are better poised to assume the majority in the lower chamber.
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"On August 11, when Gov. Romney chose Ryan, that was the pivotal day," Pelosi told CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley on "State of the Union." "That is the day things really changed. We were on a path. I would have said to you then we were dead even. Well, the momentum is very much with us, the Medicare issue in this campaign."
Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee, has proposed a plan that would allow private insurers to compete with traditional Medicare on an exchange. Democrats, who label the proposal a "voucher system," claim the plan would effectively end Medicare. Republicans say such steps are necessary to ensure the health care program for senior citizens remains solvent. They also point out that Ryan's proposed measures wouldn't affect current Medicare recipients.
On Sunday, Pelosi said the issue was at the forefront of voters' minds and that her party retained the upper hand.
"We have been saying there are three important issues in this campaign. And in alphabetical order, they are Medicare, Medicare, Medicare," the California representative said.
A CNN/ORC poll taken earlier this month indicated Medicare was among the top three most important economic issues for voters, after unemployment and the federal deficit. And a New York Times survey last week showed a significant majority of voters wanted Medicare to remain unchanged, rather than shift to a system like the one Ryan has proposed.
Following his choice of Ryan as running mate, Romney has used Medicare often in his campaign speeches, claiming President Barack Obama took money reserved for Medicare to pay for his sweeping health care law (a claim that has been rated "false" by several fact checkers). While Romney hasn't said which specific elements of Ryan's budget plan he would support as president, he has indicated that many of Ryan's measures would play a part in his own White House budget proposals.
The push by Pelosi and fellow Democrats to win back the House comes after the party lost control of the chamber in the 2010 midterm elections. In order to regain a majority, Democrats are aggressively trying to pick up 25 seats in November's election.
Pelosi said Sunday that without a Democratic majority in the House, legislative gridlock would persist on Capitol Hill, even if Obama is re-elected.
"You'll see more of the same, because it's really important for the public to know that the Republican obstruction of President Obama's jobs bills, and whatever he was advancing, their obstruction is their agenda. They really don't believe in a public role," Pelosi said.
A second-term president, Pelosi said, wouldn't change the legislative dynamic if Republicans remain in the majority. And a Mitt Romney presidency, the minority leader indicated, was unthinkable.
"Mitt Romney is not going to be president of the United States," she said.
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We need Pelosi back as speaker of the house. She did a good job. Boehner the bonehead needs to get ousted.
I can't even read these.. Obama is SO useless and it's like he has a spell on people!! This is like Hitler.. Almost like a spell was cast upon the people.. What don't you get about poor performance? His domestic polocy has literly made us broke. Another credit down grade today.. QE3, has never happened to any other president in history! He NEVER created 4.5 million jobs, CNN even called him out on that one.. He lies so much and gets caught in the act.. More people are living in poverty now then ever.. He's making the people dependent seems like a lot of people like that.. He'll do anything for a vote.. How about this teacher strike?? Yes.. It's a state thing.. But MAN UP open your mouth and get everyone back to work!!
He is obviously incompetent with foreign affairs, gets caught not attending intellangence briefing, spins that up and it's ok by libs.. He's got an excuse.. Hillary gives is apology, makes us look like a weak country.. And it's ok by you.. Susan Rice lies about not premeditated in libya, the Libya president says it is.. She is undermining the new leadership in Libya.. Not a smart idea... But that's ok too.. We give them all that money.. Were loosing out only middle east ally... That's ok, because Obama so it doesn't matter..and by god, he's ruthless towards Mitt.. I don't care what Mitt does with his money.. I only care what Obama is doing with mine!! boy he can turn the table of distraction.. Because he has failed in every sector of being e president.. You people are sick in the head for voting for him.....
Don't even respond to this.. I don't care what you have to say.. I'll just delete them.. Your wrong... Obamas wrong...the president without grace... Your man Obama
If you vote for Obama, you must vote for a Democratic Congress. If the
GOP holds either one or both Houses, there will be 4 more years of obstructionist politics in Washington. Simple as that.
What the democraic party has done for america....divide it and turn people into hate mongers who abuse freedom of speech with nothing constructive. You are what I dislike about this country and the only thing. Open your minds for a change, don't be sheep following the likes of this woman or Obama and listen to both sides. Have repubs stopped bill?. Yes, but the question would be why. I am sure like Obamacare, other rediculous spending is hidden in them to buy votes. In a bias media, why do you not talk about how wealthy Pelosi is and her private jet? Do you reall think she identifies with the few who pay taxes? Where's her money and lets see her tax return or is she another dem or hasn't paid taxes due? Ask questions and look at the big picture, not just believing promises. Look to the downfall of European economies and see the direction this country is going. How much mor can you ignore? Oh, and by the way, I am not wealthy just hardworking however I can.
In reading the posts above I have to wonder what so many people are thinking about. First, if medicare isn't fixed then it will be gone for everyone. Second, the Dems keep saying that it will affect the seniors currenty on medicare and this is an out and out lie. Thirdly, Nancy Pelosi is one of the biggest liers in Congress and no one should trust a thing that she says. And finally, if the American people don't wake up and get the Dems out of office then we are doomed to follow the path that Europe is currently on. Karl Marx once said that the only way to bring down America is from within, he was correct and the Obama administration is following his plan.
Romney will create 12 million new jobs... In China!
I must be stupid, self hating, but am not wealthy as I won't vote for Obama who has done more damage to this country in his four years both on the economic and foreign affairs front than anyone I can imagine. I love my country too much to vote party or race.
any body that would vote for romney/ ryan ticket should have their head examined
Dream on Nancy
UDidntBuildThat has Republican Amnesia. There is a giant hole in his historical timeline between 2000 and 2008. Apparently, nothing happened in those years, and while Repugs often refer to the Carter administration, they never, ever mention George W. Bush. He could be dead, for all we know, because he has been kept so far underground. It is as if Bush were not involved in our current economic problems at all, when in fact, he's at the root of them.
My only question is, why are Democrats not pounding Romney about the Bush years? Along with Rob-money's tax returns, I want to see George W. Bush also! I want him front and center. I want them to have to either justify his nitwit wars and insane tax cuts for the 1% or say, straight out, what the difference is between Bush and Romney.
But in reality, there is no difference. Romney = Bush = disaster.
I really don't understand how anyone can vote for Obama/Biden again. Or the current leaders in the Democratic party. I won't.
How does 8+% unemployment, 20+% if you include underemployment and those who've stopped looking for 43 months equal a good job? We have higher gas prices, higher food prices and the Fed saying that because of their actions on Thursday we can expect even higher prices on food and energy. 1.5 million foreclosures per month. Economists have been saying that if we continue with the president's current policies we will have another recession during 2013-2014. The president and the Democrats in Congress have added $6+ Trillion in debt in 4 years, Bush added $5 trillion in 8 years and people complained about it. Obama used Bush's timetable to bring the troops home and then sent them back into Afganistan and now into Libya. Senator Harry Reid will not allow any proposal from the Republicans to even make it to the Senate floor to be voted on. Huge amounts of the stimulus that passed in Obama's first few months went to Nancy Pelosi's husband's business and Solyndra. Both Forbes and the Economist are predicting GM will go bankrupt in the next 4 years. Not to mention that GM isn't reopening plants here in the States, they're building new ones in India and China with our tax dollars. Nancy Pelosi wasn't a good leader when she ran the House as she wouldn't work with the other side of the aisle at all. Her state is in bad shape and her district is bankrupt.
And all I see on these messages boards is that I won't vote for Romney because I haven't seen his tax returns. Really? We have a failed presidency, failed policies, failing economy, and no hope in sight of any improvement if we continue down the same path. And you're concerned about whether or not Romney will release 10 years of tax returns? He's done the legally required 2 years, he doesn't have to show any more than that. His record of turning around companies such as Staples, Dominos, and Home Depot say a lot. He turned around the Olympics so they made a profit. We have a candidate that has been successful and a president that has failed. Why is anyone even considering letting this administration have another 4 years to further weaken our country and economy? It just doesn't make sense.
The Republicans has FAIL the American people, they have distroyed the economy ,they have distroyed the unity of America around the world by having 2 WARS, yes we need to get them ousted, we had enough of the hateful,liers.
Nacy is not a liar. People stop...............I think she has done great thing and held her own with the boys club in Washington. You may not like her but she is for the middle class...
Those 12 millions jobs Romney is speaking of is the 12 millions jobs that will be created through Obama Care. So lets not get is twisted.
just because Ryan's Medicare voucher system won't affect current retirees doesn't mean those current retirees shouldn't feel betrayed by his program – those people have kids and grand kids, and I'm sure they wouldn't want their family members trying to buy $20,000 per year premium plans with the pittance of about $3000 in tax credits from the Feds under Ryan's plan.
I don't like Boehner, but Pelosi is so much worse. She pro abortion and pro gays.
Nancy Pelosi vs. lyin' Ryan. I know which of those two ladies I am going to put my money on.
@ Stephanie- Well you ranting little crybaby. First of all, do yourself a favor and leave Hitler out of it as it undermines every point you make. Comparing anyone to Hitler seems childlike at best. Secondly, although you think Obama has a "spell" on everyone else please consider that maybe, just maybe, hundreds of millions of Americans have actually considered their choices and decided that Mitt Romney does not cut it. The dirty little secret is that Romney will be done away with by defecting Republicans. Also, since you are so incredibly smart please tell us what you think Obama should do to revive the economy as even Romney cannot seem to articulate it. Lower taxes? We already have the lowest taxes in the industrialized world except Mexico and Bolivia; not exactly shining examples to follow when it comes to financial issues. The bottom line is that Republicans should have put forth a better candidate and they didn't. Compared to Romney Obama can do no wrong.
Mrs. Pelosi: I admire your courage against the Republicans. I don't know why you have received so many criticisms of your leadership. Let's re-elect Obama and put Democrats back in charge in the House of Representatives. Paul Ryan in my opinion is very dangerous. He should be excommunicated from the Catholic Church with his total lack of caring for people other than the rich!. Thanks for your service.
I love the debates we have on the comments section of these websites. For once people are really telling the world how we really feel without filters. I just don't understand how anybody could believe that we would be out of this crisis in 4 years. Obama rescued this country and all the signs are showing a better future his next term. We gave FDR three terms to get out of the great depression and Obama needs time to finish the business of the people.
This from the same ultra-lefty that said, "we need to hurry up and pass the Health Care Reform Act ... so we can all see what's in it'! Well, now we know ..... the young who bare the burden of our past sins for over spending will now bare the burden insurance for those that won't get a job!
What an idiot ..... that' not how you run the largest business in the world. She would have her *ss kicked out of any business trying to manage a budget.
The last thing this nation needs is Nancy Pelosi in charge of anything...WE can't survive more of her "pass this so we can find out what's in it" insanity.
I have had enough Obama's campaigning....it's been going on since before he was elected and has never stopped. That's where his passion is...campaigning.....therefore that's where his efforts ALWAYS are. So I am voting for Romney because I like success and am tired of being a loser. I believe this country needs a president that puts the country first, someone with a strong background in business in order to deal with unemployment and the economy. The democracts blame republicans for "blocking" Obama, yet Harry Reid won't allow Republican bills to come to the floor......sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black. With Obama we will continue to have such a divided political atmosphere that nothing will get done....is that what you want. I'm ready for a change and believe me things are so bad that I'm not taking much risk in voting for Romney.
Bush and Cheney wrecked the economy-Obama did not fix it fast enough because all the Republicans did was vote no even to things they previously wanted,so elect Romney so we can go back to the Bush Cheney policies-I don't think so!!!
Obama rescued the country?
He plied on the debt, passed a questionable expensive healthcare bill in the middle of the great recession instead of working on the economy, and created a climate where he wants to divide us even more.
He has had his chance. Electing him again is foolhardy.