Paul Ryan is in The Villages, Fla., today for his first Sunshine State visit since joining the GOP presidential ticket last weekend.
Ryan is talking to seniors at the Villages in Fl. Taking the truth to the third rail.
— Popskull McQueen (@Bullitt1776) August 18, 2012
The area has more people receiving social security benefits than any other ZIP code in the U.S.
Ryan to take the satge and Carl Cameron Reports: The crowd is huge at the The Villages. There will be thousands here. #RomneyRyan2012
— Nels (@debitking) August 18, 2012
Standing room only with seniors at Ryan event to protect & strengthen Medicare, at The Villages! http://t.co/SKW5cCmv
— Dan Rua (@danrua) August 18, 2012
Ryan opponents are keepin’ it classy on Twitter:
Ryan (with his mommy) speaking at the Villages, a Republican occupied pod of elders who will be dead before the next election-
— Lifeis2Art (@Lifeis2art) August 18, 2012
I found ONE! I found a black guy at the Villages!! But, he's a security guard for Ryan and his mommy. #p2 #tcot
— Geoff Ninecow (@geoff9cow) August 18, 2012
But the crowd was full of enthusiasm as supporters awaited Ryan’s visit.
"We want Paul! We want Paul!" some in crowd yell. Not too interested in current speaker
— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) August 18, 2012
Waiting to watch Paul Ryan and his mother at the villages. Looks like they have a great crowd
— Donna Merritt (@donnatoot) August 18, 2012
Romney’s VP pick was joined by his mom, Betty Douglas.
Paul Ryan arrives, holding the hand of a woman in a yellow suit- his mom?
— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) August 18, 2012
Betty Douglas, Rep Ryan's 78yr old mother, is campaigning with him at The Villages right now. She splits her time btwn 2 swing states: FL&WI
— Peter Doocy (@pdoocy) August 18, 2012
Highlights from his speech:
https://twitter.com/JoyLinFN/status/236831682618064896
great pic “@ToddTReid: Paul Ryan at The Villages pic.twitter.com/19nLdteW”
— Ann McElhinney (@annmcelhinney) August 18, 2012
“This is my mom Betty. She’s why I’m here. She and her grandkids are why I’m here," Ryan says
— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) August 18, 2012
Paul Ryan introduces his mom, Betty – at the Villages in Florida. Begins speaking on the issue of Medicare. No ordinary election or times…
— Rogersdaughter (@jsrroger) August 18, 2012
Ryan interrupted his speech to make sure a medic was on hand for a woman who fainted.
https://twitter.com/jmsummers/status/236832152388509697
Some ab-related swooning perhaps?
A lady in the crowd fainted seeing Paul Ryan. Ryan calls for a medic to assist her. This guy is the new Elvis
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) August 18, 2012
Note that Ryan called for a paramedic, not a paralegal.
Medic being called for the third collapse during the Villages rally. Ryan called in paramedics himself for second one pic.twitter.com/JL0Xx0hm
— Nico Hines (@NicoHines) August 18, 2012
Did you notice that when a medic was needed in the crowd, Ryan didn't make it seem like they were fainting b/c of HIM? Like Barack does?
— acitrep (@acitrep) August 18, 2012
This is Paul Ryan's mom Betty Douglas. She's 78! She's looks v good for her age. pic.twitter.com/rwzix7RG
— Shushannah Walshe (@shushwalshe) August 18, 2012
New rhyme from Ryan: Obama is running on "fear and smear."
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) August 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/JoyLinFN/status/236833481022382080
Ryan says Medicare was there for his grandmother and mother when they needed it, "and we have to keep that guarantee."
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) August 18, 2012
Ryan references IPAB – though not by name — and warns it will result in denied care.
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) August 18, 2012
Ryan at the Villages: Our plan does not affect the benefits for those who are in or near retirement.
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) August 18, 2012
This speech by Ryan is by far the most detailed he has been about any program on the stump since being announced as VP #decision2012
— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) August 18, 2012
Ryan talks about his mother building a small biz after his father died, says he's proud of her, and finishes, "you did build that!"
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) August 18, 2012
Rep Paul Ryan & his mom, Betty Douglas, waving to crowd at The Villages in FL (pic) http://t.co/G7TLOdI2
— Peter Doocy (@pdoocy) August 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/jmsummers/status/236836747588276225
So, did Ryan win anyone over with his appearance at The Villages?
https://twitter.com/MarkBrentano/status/236837497034899456
Ryan ROCKED the house in the Villages! JUST the one we need as VP #RomneyRyan2012 #LNYHBT #CFSA #OTNN #CSPAN2012
— Rick Bulow (@RickBulow1974) August 18, 2012
Paul Ryan gave a good speech at the villages. His Mom Betty is perfect for a VP candidate's mother. Could fill the bill on a TV sitcom
— Donna Merritt (@donnatoot) August 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/tcw62/status/236836921324740608
So it looks like @PaulRyanVP is going to greet EVERY person @ #TheVillages #FL what a great gesture
— Marc T Grove (@MarcTGroveSr) August 18, 2012