Paul Ryan's Fairy-Tale Budget Plan  —  PAUL D. RYAN is the most articulate and intellectually imposing Republican of the moment, but that doesn't alter the fact that this earnest congressman from Wisconsin is preaching the same empty conservative sermon.  —  Thirty years of Republican apostasy …

Stockman Savages Ryan  —  If there's anyone in recent political history who is a definite precursor to Paul Ryan, it has to be David Stockman, another bright young congress-critter who combined conservative ideological totems (in his case, supply-side economics) with green-eyeshade budget credentials …

Brutal: CNN Torches DWS on Medicare Falsehoods  —  Let me say this right up front: Congratulations to Wolf Blitzer for being a relentless, responsible journalist.  If you value the truth, this interview is a pleasure to watch.  If you have even an ounce of human compassion for the in-over-her-head target …

The Republican ticket's big Medicare myth  —  I've got a modest proposal: You're not allowed to demand a “serious conversation” over Medicare unless you can answer these three questions:  —  1) Mitt Romney says that “unlike the current president who has cut Medicare funding by $700 billion.

Gov. Chris Christie to deliver keynote at GOP convention  —  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the keynote address that launches the Republican National Convention in two weeks, telling USA TODAY he plans to make an “emphatic” argument on behalf of GOP approaches and shared sacrifice to face the nation's biggest challenges.

Cut This Ad!  Clinton COS on Ryan: ‘This Guy is Amazing.’  —  Bill Bennett suggested on his radio show this morning that the Romney-Ryan campaign (or someone else) cut an ad to make famous these remarks (delivered a year ago at the University of North Carolina) about Paul Ryan by Clinton White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles:

50% Now View Paul Ryan Favorably; 43% Say He Was Right Choice  —  Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan's favorables are up after the first blush of national media exposure following Mitt Romney's selection of him as his vice presidential running mate.  But as is generally the case with running mates …