You need only sample Sunday talk shows and cable news to know that Rethuglican Rep. Paul Ryan is the Beltway media's budget wunderkind. He's a slick, fast-talking con man armed with bogus assumptions and misleading statistics who appeals to lazy pundits who would rather not check the facts and call him out.
One thing is clear: Ryan's new-found budget hawkishness is a recent development. A 12-year incumbent, he had no problem supporting unpaid-for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tax giveaways to the rich, and an unfunded Medicare prescription benefit which ballooned the deficit under Preznit Dumbya. He also criticized Medicare cuts...before presenting a "budget" that cuts Medicare. Indeed, it reshapes the popular program beyond recognition and puts low and middle income citizens at risk. Which is why the Rethuglican leadership is wetting their silk suit pants, deeply concerned that the Social Darwinist teatard right will drive them off the electoral cliff in 2012. We can only fervently hope.
