So, how do strategists who are tasked with advising their candidates in House and Senate races view the Paul Ryan pick?
Most Democrats we talked with were giddy about the pick. Even hours after Ryan’s selection had been announced, one Democratic strategist was still in disbelief calling it the “best pick possible for us.”
This same strategist, who was at House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Annual issues conference in Napa Valley, California, said donors and members of Congress in attendance were “pumped” about the Ryan pick.
“This election becomes a referendum,” said this advisor. “Balance the budget the right way by protecting Medicare. Or stand with Romney-Ryan — who would further burden seniors and the middle class. It is a disastrous pick for congressional Republicans.”
However, one long-time Democratic consultant warned Democrats not to get too confident. The fact that Ryan has teamed up with Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon to outline a plan to tackle Medicare reform, said this consultant, complicates Democrats’ plans to turn Ryan into a partisan boogeyman.