Joe Nocera, "Let the Real Debate Begin": Finally, Some Uncommon Sense

In his latest New York Times op-ed entitled "Let the Real Debate Begin" (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/opinion/nocera-let-the-real-debate-begin.html), Joe Nocera writes:

"But, most important, it seems to me that the Ryan pick creates the potential for the country to have the debate, in a national election, that it needs to have about the size and role of the federal government."

Exactly. You don't have to agree with everything Ryan says. I don't. On the other hand, his selection as the Republican vice presidential nominee is already forcing the Democrats to grapple with his ideas to shrink the government. No longer will this election hinge on Romney's "likability" and undisclosed tax returns.

Or stated otherwise, Ryan introduces a measure of intelligence into the election, and Obama's focus in Iowa is already on Ryan and not on Romney.

Ryan is no Palin, and although you can disagree with his policies, you must respect his intelligence, ethics and passion. The opposite of Sarah Palin, he is a game changer for the Republicans, and Axelrod, who was quite content to run a negative campaign on behalf of Obama, avoiding the issues and the president's record of underachievement, is fast losing his smile.