Dumb question: WHY DID RMONEY PICK RYAN?

[CabCurious]

47. 1. Funding 2. The Platform and 3. This is about Congress & 2016

1. Romney's campaign was under attack from within the GOP

This campaign has been terribly run. They put everything on bashing Obama and basically had no means to rally support around Romney himself. It was backfiring. The gaffes and the lack of "positives" meant they had to react.

The GOP have been raising a BILLION dollars to throw at this election. They were turning on Romney. He needed a pick that put the focus back on "policy issues" which the base could support. Ryan.

2. The Party Platform

Romney couldn't possibly command any sway over this GOP in terms of a moderate platform. The GOP insiders believe they must always pander to the base, Rove-style, which means pandering to the TeaParty and religious-right. The convention is right around the corner, so for Romney to plant a stake in that Platform he needed to make his ticket about it.

The best way for Romney to clearly distinguish himself from Obama on policy was to lurch libertarian. Ryan.

3. The GOP insiders care about Congress and 2016, not Romney

I truly believe that those pouring hundreds of millions into the election only barely believe Romney can actually win. They know the limits of bashing Obama. They are investing in holding onto power in Congress and looking ahead at the next four years. They want to focus on changing the terms of the national dialog. Romney is just a tool for them.

And I think Romney knows that.

For Romney to have a voice in the GOP, he needed to adapt to the change in tone and direction. Ryan doesn't help him win electoral votes, but he helps Romney's legacy and legitimacy as a voice of the new GOP. Even after he loses, Romney has assured himself a central role in the establishment. Meanwhile, he'll hope Obama makes a huge mistake.