Ryan’s Charisma Convinces the Republican Base

Paul Ryan came to Virginia, spoke and convinced his listeners. The Republican politician returned this Friday to the same state in which he gave his first speech as the Republican candidate for vice president of the United States last week. The election thrilled the leaders of his party, who knew about Ryan’s potential after his 13 years in Congress, but outside the walls of the Capitol almost nobody knew about the new No. 2, including conservative voters. That curiosity to prove the political skills of the young representative from Wisconsin is what made many supporters, including undecided or independent voters, go to West Springfield High School to listen to what Ryan had to say. And Ryan did not disappoint them.

“The expectation that Ryan has created is great, but we will see how long it lasts,” said Alberto Valdemoro, a 50-year-old lawyer from Colombia. “We need someone smart to face what is coming, not to end up like Europe. Ryan is brilliant, but too conservative,” he concluded. In past elections, Valdemoro voted for Republican and Democratic candidates and he attended this campaign rally to gather arguments and to decide who he would vote for on Nov. 6. Many attendees were defined as independent and undecided voters. Their votes could be decisive in the presidential election because Virginia is a key state. Helen Herbs, a 60-year-old retired woman knows about it. “I voted for Reagan, but I also voted for Clinton. Obama has let me down but Romney does not seem to be the best alternative. I would like to meet his No. 2,” she said as she moved to the sound of country music that kept her entertained while she was waiting.

On the door of the gymnasium of West Springfield High School there was a welcoming banner, “Home of the Spartans.” The organization of the event did honor to the banner. The stage could not be simpler: a plastic stand and two American flags. Ryan did not need anything else to dazzle the audience. Wearing Chinese trousers, a blue plaid shirt and holding a microphone, Romney’s running mate managed to make the attendees stop fanning with “Romney” banners and instead flutter with excitement. Despite being in a high school, most of the audience was made up of workers around 50 years old, who had recently retired and are supposed to represent the middle class, which is a protagonist of most of Obama’s speeches, Ryan appealed.

Without even changing his tone, and in a calm but forceful manner, the congressman gave an overview of the issues the Republican campaign focuses on (job creation, deficit reduction, etc.). Their strategy that runs perfectly well, though barely laid hands on, was enough to put Romney close to the White House along with his intervention that saved the Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002 as a guarantee of his effectiveness. But he really aroused the fervor of the crowd when he alluded to healthcare reform: “We want this debate, we need this debate, and we will win this debate.” He also talked about the statements of the Iranian president who said that the existence of Israel is an “insult” to humanity, “Under President Romney, our adversaries will think twice about challenging America and our allies.”

Without shrillness, while hardly attacking the Democratic Party, Ryan managed to win if not the vote, the sympathy of the skeptics. “There is no doubt of his charm. He has not said anything different from what he has been repeating these days, but, of course, he has personality,” admitted Valdemoro at the end of the rally. Christopher Smith, a 28-year-old employee of Vodafone, also seems to be convinced by Ryan’s speech. “I am independent and I have yet to hear what the Democrats have to say, but this candidate has given me hope based on facts, not on fine words like Obama.”

Elita Christiansen, a 50-year-old former public relations officer who left Cuba at the age of 11, is a staunch Republican supporter, but she also had doubts about the selection of Ryan as Romney’s number two, since her favorite was the Cuban senator from Florida, Marco Rubio. After Friday it became clear for her. “He is the right candidate. He knows a lot about economics and he will help Romney.” While leaving the gym she ran into some students who were waiting for the rally to end to play volleyball. “There are so many people! Who was here?” They were probably the only people that afternoon who were not under the influence of Ryan’s charisma.