STATEMENT: CAP Action’s Tanden and Perriello on Gov. Romney Naming Rep. Ryan as Running Mate

August 11, 2012

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Contact: Madeline Meth
Phone: 202.741.6277
Email: mmeth@americanprogress.org

Washington, D.C.–In response to the announcement of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential nominee, the Center for American Progress Action Fund released the following statements:

• Neera Tanden, Counselor to the Center for American Progress Action Fund and President of the Center for American Progress said, "Just like Sen. John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin and George H.W. Bush’s selection of Dan Quayle, Mitt Romney has been cowed by the right wing into choosing an extreme vice presidential nominee who will alienate moderate voters.  It’s now clearer than ever that as president, Mitt Romney would end Medicare as we know it and will raise taxes on middle class families by more than $2,000 in order to slash taxes on the wealthiest Americans.  While there is a lot that can be said about Paul Ryan’s extreme views, more important is what his choice says about Mitt Romney: that he is unwilling or unable to stand up to the far-right of his party and select a vice-presidential candidate that is both able to be president on day on and capable of governing by reaching across the aisle."
• Tom Perriello, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund said, "Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s extreme plan for America has drawn the ire of everyone from Ryan’s own constituents to Catholic nuns.  It’s ironic that Mitt Romney chose USS Wisconsin for the announcement, as both Romney and Ryan have put tax breaks for millionaires ahead of funding for our military.  Their plan would not only end Medicare as we know it, it takes $500 billion from Medicare to give massive new tax breaks to millionaires and huge corporations like Big Oil.  And their plan would not only protect tax breaks from companies that ship American jobs overseas, it would give companies huge new incentives to outsource American jobs to countries like China and India."

Related Resources:

• 12 Things You Should Know About Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan by Igor Volsky

To speak to CAP Action experts, please contact Josh Dorner at 202.679.7570 or jdorner@americanprogressaction.org.

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