Cain names Jim DeMint, Paul Ryan as possible 2012 vice presidential picks

[AUTiger1]

http://thehill.com/video/campaign/187323-cain-names-demint-ryan-as-possible-running-mates

Cain names Jim DeMint, Paul Ryan as possible 2012 vice presidential picks
By Jonathan Easley - 10/13/11 11:14 AM ET

Herman Cain named Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) as potential running mates should he secure the Republican presidential nomination for the 2012 election.

Speaking Thursday on "The Steve Gill Show," Cain outlined the qualities he would like in a running mate, and then, unprovoked, offered specific names.

“There are some people in Congress that are very, very good, that I respect and admire and that I would love to have on my team,” Cain said. “Whether that would be in a V.P. slot or in a key Cabinet slot … I’ll give you a name — like Representative Paul Ryan. I’m not saying he would be the V.P. pick, he might be, but that’s the type of person I would want in my Cabinet. He’s the type of person. Sen. Jim DeMint — people who are not afraid to challenge the system. People who are not afraid to put on the table what we should do, and not just what we think we can get done.”

Cain acknowledged that his lack of legislative experience means he would likely need to fill the top slots with Washington insiders.

“You can’t be so egotistical that you’re afraid to hire someone smarter than you,” he said. “Based upon my thinking today, I would probably look for someone that has that D.C. experience, that experience in Congress or whatever the case may be.”

Cain also said that he’d seek the help of his friend — and fellow competitor — Newt Gingrich as a campaign manager, chief of staff or strategist.

“Newt is a brilliant mind,” he said. “I don’t know how things are going to turn out, but I would call upon Newt Gingrich to assist me at some point in some way because he brings so much knowledge and insight to this whole process, but more importantly, to the problems we face in this country.”

[AUTiger1]

http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/13/paul-ryan-loves-herman-cains-9-9-9-tax-plan/

Paul Ryan ‘loves’ Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan

Published: 1:09 PM 10/13/2011 | Updated: 2:59 PM 10/13/2011
By John Rossomando -- The Daily Caller

House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan says he “loves” presidential candidate Herman Cain’s signature “9-9-9″ tax plan.

Ryan told The Daily Caller in an exclusive interview that Cain’s plan is a good starting point for debate, and shows the GOP presidential campaign season has entered into a more advanced stage where ideas — not just personalities — have come to the forefront.

“We need more bold ideas like this because it is specific and credible,” Ryan said. “I’m more of a flat-tax kind of a guy.”

The budget chairman went on to say that ideas like Cain’s plan could help shape the debate over tax reform moving into 2013.

“It’s great to see such bold ideas,” Ryan told TheDC.

Commenting on the sniping among the candidates and their criticism directed at Cain’s plan, Ryan said the entire process would make the eventual GOP nominee stronger going into the general election.
Contacted by TheDC on Thursday, Herman Cain’s campaign was appreciative for the unexpected endorsement.

“I consider Paul Ryan to be one of the brightest minds in Washington, D.C.,” said Mark Block, Cain’s chief of staff, “and for Congressman Ryan to embrace 9-9-9 shows that he also has the leadership to give the American public bold solutions for our current crisis. Mr. Cain looks forward to sitting down with Congressman Ryan.

“Dr. Art Laffer also wrote a piece praising 9-9-9, so you have two of the most respected people that are dealing with economics in America praising 9-9-9,” Block added. “That … speaks for itself.”

[GH2001]

If Paul Ryan thinks it makes great economic sense, then that is all I need to hear. Guy is brilliant. Cut, Cap and Balance as well as drastic cuts were the only decent ideas proposed - and he was behind both of them.

Love DeMint too but you have to think geography in a Presidential Race. Cain is from Ga. DeMint is from SC. The south is over represented in that ticket. Someone needs to carry the north some, especially Ohio and Penn. Paul Ryan would make absolute perfect sense to even the ticket out geographically.

[Tarheel]

If Paul Ryan thinks it makes great economic sense, then that is all I need to hear. Guy is brilliant. Cut, Cap and Balance as well as drastic cuts were the only decent ideas proposed - and he was behind both of them.

Love DeMint too but you have to think geography in a Presidential Race. Cain is from Ga. DeMint is from SC. The south is over represented in that ticket. Someone needs to carry the north some, especially Ohio and Penn. Paul Ryan would make absolute perfect sense to even the ticket out geographically.

Paul Ryan makes more sense as a running mate.  I agree with your assessment of geography; if Cain does win the nomination he's going to need some help in the mid-west.  Where he is going to have a problem is the Northeast.  I don't think that any candidate can win the general election without winning a NE state and part of New England.