The Four Horsemen
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. – Book of Revelation 1:19
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse bring Conquest (Pestilence), War, Famine and Death.
The Four Horsemen of the 2012 Republican presidential campaign bring Gingrich, Paul, Romney and Santorum.
Seriously, it's come down to THESE guys for the once Grand Old Party?
Barely a year ago, many Republicans were anticipating 2012 ticket that included – at the top – a Daniels, a Pawlenty, a Jindal, or maybe a Rice or Christie. (But not a Rice-Christie ticket!) Perry was in the mix, too, perhaps regrettably. So was Jeb Bush.
Thus, it is now left to the nation's conservatives to look at the possible vice presidential nominees in hopes of saving the ticket in November.
Let's face it, the present presidential options are about as awe-inspiring as a Super Bowl halftime show.
The Race42012.com website lists its Top 10 VP choices, with a prediction that Mitt Romney's GOP victory is all but guaranteed. (And it probably is.)
Here are the selections:
1. Marco Rubio, U.S. senator from Florida.
2. Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey.
3. Bob McDonnell, governor of Virginia.
4. Rob Portman, U.S. senator from Ohio. (The website offers this about Sen. Portman: "The junior senator from Ohio is a proven vote getter in perhaps the nation’s most important swing state. Democrats in Ohio have become energized in the state due to the unpopular reforms of Gov. John Kasich, and the more popular Portman may be needed to hold down the Ohio fort. … Elected to seven consecutive terms in the U.S. House, Portman would go on to serve as both U.S. trade representative and OMB director under President George W. Bush before becoming a senator. His extensive knowledge of policy and government and his popularity in his home state make the Ohio senator a solid, safe choice for the Romney campaign.")
5. Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida.
6. Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state. (An excellent choice, by the way.)
7. Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana.
8. John Thune, U.S. senator from South Dakota. (Good man, but poor choice. If the GOP can't win South Dakota without Thune, it's already four more years of Obama.)
9. Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota. (Pawlenty was a last-minute McCain scratch in favor of Palin four years ago.)
10. Paul Ryan, U.S. representative from Wisconsin.
A long shot, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is occasionally mentioned as a running mate on the Romney ticket. One big drawback: She couldn't deliver the Palmetto State for her pal, Mitt. Gingrich clobbered him in South Carolina.
Since the 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, it should come as no surprise that Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush will be talked about. They're good choices, but will they attract more voters than they turn away?
My Top 3 for the VP slot on the GOP ticket? Glad you asked!
That's easy: Sen. Portman, Secretary Rice or Gov. McDonnell. Of course, I'd prefer any of them at the top of the ticket, when compared to the GOP's Four Horsemen of 2012.
It is what it is. And as the ol' ball coaches used to say, "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken crap."
Without a very solid VP choice, and one from a crucial swing state – think Ohio or Florida – this year's Republican ticket could shape up to be an early Christmas present for the Obama administration.
And that's a very sad Revelation.
* * *
From the mail bag
Every now and then, it's appropriate – or at least seems to be – to thank our readers for their handwritten cards and letters of appreciation.
Unlike most of our casual e-mail, the majority of these letters are saved in one of my filing cabinets.
I'm not saying that your e-mails are not important to us. They are. But when someone takes the time to sit down (who writes standing up?) and actually put words on paper, the old-fashioned way, well, it's appreciated. It really is.
Over the years, I've saved handwritten notes and letters from many public officials – including U.S. senators, members of Congress and even a governor or two.
Several years ago, Congressman Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican, took the time to thank me for a newspaper column in support of home schooling.
Turns out, the congressman and his wife had home-schooled their children and faced similar obstacles that Pam and I faced. Our home-schooling days are behind us now. (Our two oldest earned bachelor's degrees before they were 20, so it's worked out OK, in spite of the well-meaning critics.)
A couple of weeks ago, I received two of the nicest letters of thanks I can recall.
They were – and are – much appreciated.
Susan Long wrote a very nice note on behalf of the Greenfield Historical Society. (And, yes, I still have sprinkles of glitter on my desk! Thank you very much.)
One of the kindest notes came from Richard Rehark, who has moved away from the area but continues to read the HCP.
Mr. Rehark wrote in expert penmanship: "You are continuing in the honorable tradition of the independent, small-town newspaperman. This is a great service to all citizens."
That unexpected letter (along with a paid subscription) really made my day.
No, we're not perfect. To be sure, no one is. But based on the set of facts and information available on any given day, we do our level best to be fair and accurate in our coverage of local news.
Our opinions are always clearly labeled as such. We do not editorialize within the context of our news reporting. And when readers recognize these efforts – and take the time to write what I call a "real" letter, well, we're grateful and humbled by the gesture.
The other day, a paid lobbyist accused me of "despicable journalism." Not being a big fan of lobbyists, I took it as a compliment. The more I've learned about the situation, the more I'm satisfied with my gut instincts. But we'll be fair, as always, in our coverage of such matters. He needs to understand that reality. Name-calling won't help his cause, either.
One of my favorite letters came in response to my suggestion to a reader that our online version of The Highland County Press might be more convenient (for one thing, as I've learned for my tired eyes, you can enlarge the type!).
In response, I received a short letter complimenting the HCP staff on the quality of the newspaper. It also included this postscript about our online edition: "Not interested in your online version. If I was, I wouldn't be typing this on a 30-year-old IBM Selectric."
Enough said.
Last, but not least, our friend, Harry Shoop of Lynchburg, dropped off some much-needed ink pens this week. (He must have heard of the recent pen, pencil and paper caper at the HCP.)
The pens work just fine. But I'm not wild about carrying around a pen upon which is inscribed "This pen has been stolen from Harry Shoop."
Thanks, Harry. And thanks to all of you who read The Highland County Press – either in print or online (or both!). We'll always be appreciative of our loyal readers and advertisers.
Rory Ryan is publisher of the only locally owned newspaper in Highland County, The Highland County Press, where the owner is in the store!
[[In-content Ad]]
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse bring Conquest (Pestilence), War, Famine and Death.
The Four Horsemen of the 2012 Republican presidential campaign bring Gingrich, Paul, Romney and Santorum.
Seriously, it's come down to THESE guys for the once Grand Old Party?
Barely a year ago, many Republicans were anticipating 2012 ticket that included – at the top – a Daniels, a Pawlenty, a Jindal, or maybe a Rice or Christie. (But not a Rice-Christie ticket!) Perry was in the mix, too, perhaps regrettably. So was Jeb Bush.
Thus, it is now left to the nation's conservatives to look at the possible vice presidential nominees in hopes of saving the ticket in November.
Let's face it, the present presidential options are about as awe-inspiring as a Super Bowl halftime show.
The Race42012.com website lists its Top 10 VP choices, with a prediction that Mitt Romney's GOP victory is all but guaranteed. (And it probably is.)
Here are the selections:
1. Marco Rubio, U.S. senator from Florida.
2. Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey.
3. Bob McDonnell, governor of Virginia.
4. Rob Portman, U.S. senator from Ohio. (The website offers this about Sen. Portman: "The junior senator from Ohio is a proven vote getter in perhaps the nation’s most important swing state. Democrats in Ohio have become energized in the state due to the unpopular reforms of Gov. John Kasich, and the more popular Portman may be needed to hold down the Ohio fort. … Elected to seven consecutive terms in the U.S. House, Portman would go on to serve as both U.S. trade representative and OMB director under President George W. Bush before becoming a senator. His extensive knowledge of policy and government and his popularity in his home state make the Ohio senator a solid, safe choice for the Romney campaign.")
5. Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida.
6. Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state. (An excellent choice, by the way.)
7. Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana.
8. John Thune, U.S. senator from South Dakota. (Good man, but poor choice. If the GOP can't win South Dakota without Thune, it's already four more years of Obama.)
9. Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota. (Pawlenty was a last-minute McCain scratch in favor of Palin four years ago.)
10. Paul Ryan, U.S. representative from Wisconsin.
A long shot, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is occasionally mentioned as a running mate on the Romney ticket. One big drawback: She couldn't deliver the Palmetto State for her pal, Mitt. Gingrich clobbered him in South Carolina.
Since the 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, it should come as no surprise that Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush will be talked about. They're good choices, but will they attract more voters than they turn away?
My Top 3 for the VP slot on the GOP ticket? Glad you asked!
That's easy: Sen. Portman, Secretary Rice or Gov. McDonnell. Of course, I'd prefer any of them at the top of the ticket, when compared to the GOP's Four Horsemen of 2012.
It is what it is. And as the ol' ball coaches used to say, "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken crap."
Without a very solid VP choice, and one from a crucial swing state – think Ohio or Florida – this year's Republican ticket could shape up to be an early Christmas present for the Obama administration.
And that's a very sad Revelation.
* * *
From the mail bag
Every now and then, it's appropriate – or at least seems to be – to thank our readers for their handwritten cards and letters of appreciation.
Unlike most of our casual e-mail, the majority of these letters are saved in one of my filing cabinets.
I'm not saying that your e-mails are not important to us. They are. But when someone takes the time to sit down (who writes standing up?) and actually put words on paper, the old-fashioned way, well, it's appreciated. It really is.
Over the years, I've saved handwritten notes and letters from many public officials – including U.S. senators, members of Congress and even a governor or two.
Several years ago, Congressman Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican, took the time to thank me for a newspaper column in support of home schooling.
Turns out, the congressman and his wife had home-schooled their children and faced similar obstacles that Pam and I faced. Our home-schooling days are behind us now. (Our two oldest earned bachelor's degrees before they were 20, so it's worked out OK, in spite of the well-meaning critics.)
A couple of weeks ago, I received two of the nicest letters of thanks I can recall.
They were – and are – much appreciated.
Susan Long wrote a very nice note on behalf of the Greenfield Historical Society. (And, yes, I still have sprinkles of glitter on my desk! Thank you very much.)
One of the kindest notes came from Richard Rehark, who has moved away from the area but continues to read the HCP.
Mr. Rehark wrote in expert penmanship: "You are continuing in the honorable tradition of the independent, small-town newspaperman. This is a great service to all citizens."
That unexpected letter (along with a paid subscription) really made my day.
No, we're not perfect. To be sure, no one is. But based on the set of facts and information available on any given day, we do our level best to be fair and accurate in our coverage of local news.
Our opinions are always clearly labeled as such. We do not editorialize within the context of our news reporting. And when readers recognize these efforts – and take the time to write what I call a "real" letter, well, we're grateful and humbled by the gesture.
The other day, a paid lobbyist accused me of "despicable journalism." Not being a big fan of lobbyists, I took it as a compliment. The more I've learned about the situation, the more I'm satisfied with my gut instincts. But we'll be fair, as always, in our coverage of such matters. He needs to understand that reality. Name-calling won't help his cause, either.
One of my favorite letters came in response to my suggestion to a reader that our online version of The Highland County Press might be more convenient (for one thing, as I've learned for my tired eyes, you can enlarge the type!).
In response, I received a short letter complimenting the HCP staff on the quality of the newspaper. It also included this postscript about our online edition: "Not interested in your online version. If I was, I wouldn't be typing this on a 30-year-old IBM Selectric."
Enough said.
Last, but not least, our friend, Harry Shoop of Lynchburg, dropped off some much-needed ink pens this week. (He must have heard of the recent pen, pencil and paper caper at the HCP.)
The pens work just fine. But I'm not wild about carrying around a pen upon which is inscribed "This pen has been stolen from Harry Shoop."
Thanks, Harry. And thanks to all of you who read The Highland County Press – either in print or online (or both!). We'll always be appreciative of our loyal readers and advertisers.
Rory Ryan is publisher of the only locally owned newspaper in Highland County, The Highland County Press, where the owner is in the store!
[[In-content Ad]]