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Government

‘Unfortunate Pick’: Bush State Dept. Senior Adviser Weighs in on Paul Ryan

Aug. 11, 2012 5:34pm
Former State Dept. Senior Advisor Christian Whiton Says Paul Ryan Unfortunate VP Pick for Mitt Romney

(Photo: Fox News)

Paul Ryan’s recognized strengths among Republicans are undeniably economics-based.  Between his budget and his 6-minute breakdown of the flaws in “Obamacare,” it is no secret how the man will influence the economy– but how does he rank in foreign policy?

Christian Whiton, a former Bush administration State Department senior adviser, appears to have a number of serious reservations.

Speaking on Fox News, the man said Paul Ryan is an “unfortunate pick” in this arena, saying he has a “very thin record on foreign affairs” and now “we don’t have from either the top or bottom of this ticket is a clear message on how these people will see the world.”

Watch his full remarks, via Mediaite, below:

Whiton also said that Paul Ryan is “too young” to assume the presidency if anything should happen to the president.

He explained: “I think this is a poor choice on politics and substance. Politically, I don’t know why you’d want the number two on the ticket to outshine the top of the ticket on the key issues of the day — the deficit, the economy, jobs…”

He continued: “And then on substance, Paul Ryan is too young to be president…If he were to assume presidency…he’d be the youngest, he’d have no executive experience.”

The Fox host asked, at this point, what executive experience Barack Obama had when he took office.  He also noted: “Our nation’s exploding debt is a huge threat to this country…doesn’t that bode well for foreign policy?”

Christian Whiton concluded: “There’s just nothing in the past that indicates that either of these men will really change the way Washington has been handling threats like Islamism, Arab Spring, a growing China, etc. etc.”

It should be noted, however, that George W. Bush praised Paul Ryan as a “strong pick,” saying, “Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America, and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations.”

(H/T: Mediaite)

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Comments (436)

1 2 3 … 12
  • MBA
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:13pm

    the liberals had to look pretty hard to find someone to say this crap. Who is this guy anyway? I’d rather had a 42 year old who can balance a budget that a 50 year old idiot.

    Report this comment

    MBA  
    • indy1
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:23pm

      I’ve never ever heard of this guy and I watch political shows daily. Pretty sad Fox News dug him up. I’d expect this out of Sheppo.

      Report this comment

      indy1  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:41pm

      We r in this mess now cause of Bush & his fony boloney gang .

      Report this comment

      Sirfoldallot  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 1:27am

      SIR- Yes he is the devil, it was all his fault, Obama, Clinton and Bush Sr had nothing to do with it.

      Report this comment

      mr.goodvibe  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 7:43am

      I wonder how much the ‘adviser’ weighs? At a quick glance, I’d say about 227 lbs. I’ve never seen a blivet that big.

      Report this comment

      JACKTHETOAD  
  • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:11pm

    I don’t want to hear from ANYBODY connected to the former Bush administration. The only difference between Bush and Obama is that Bush was taking us on the slow road to Hell instead of the express lane Obama has us traveling. Slow or fast, the destination was the same. No, all I want to hear from these days are TRUE patriotic conservatives and those who share the views of the Tea Party movement. All others need not apply!

    Report this comment

    Stu D. Baker-Hawk  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:24pm

      Agreed. Bush was/is a disaster.

      Report this comment

      The_Jerk  
    • Roberto G. Vasquez
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:26pm

      Who cares what some Bush-moron has-been says? Is FOX (and The Blaze) that hard up for anti Romney-Ryan propaganda???

      Report this comment

      Roberto G. Vasquez  
    • myway
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:31pm

      Bush was not a commie! I don’t know who this dude is, but Kennedy was only 43, Ryan will be 43 when sworn in as VP. Ya got to do better then this looking for reasons to take down Ryan. Lets just get rid of obama in the November election.

      Report this comment

      myway  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:32pm

      I disagree slightly…..Bush was taking us there at a pretty fast pace.

      Report this comment

      riseandshine  
    • Too_Far_Gone
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:35pm

      Who cares what a has been has to say, WE The People can think for ourselves, we don’t need the government or ex government to do our thinking or anything else from you liars ..

      Report this comment

      Too_Far_Gone  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:44pm

      Bush gave us Obama,so please no more interviews with him or his people..
      This gives me hope,I never thought Romney had the guts to do this.This is what we need ,the new conservatives getting a push.I had this bad McCain feeling up to this point.
      I just hope Romney’s people don’t try to hold him back like they did Palin.

      Report this comment

      flyoverbob  
    • Jim
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:50pm

      I agree whole heartily. I love this ticket hopefully through the current administration out of office before it is too late.

      Report this comment

      Jim  
    • PoliticiansRCrooks
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:04pm

      Who cares what Romney says. He is a commie too!

      Report this comment

      PoliticiansRCrooks  
    • oldduffer
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:20pm

      So disgusted with Bush, then the McCain pick that we ended up with this clown.
      You Bush economic experts need to just go away and quit trying to screw up this election.
      Not for Obama are you?

      Report this comment

      oldduffer  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:24pm

      Absolutely right about not wanting to hear from anyone in the Bush administration. I have never heard of this guy and I stay up on politics. The Bush administration is a big part of the reason we ended up with the Kenyan. Bush and the whole elitist RINO-wing of the Republican party need to take a long walk off of a short pier.

      Report this comment

      NOT A CRAZY  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:28pm

      @Stu D. Baker-Hawk
      I guess you arent aware of all the Bush carryovers that are working as Romney’s foreign policy advisors

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:50pm

      This guy was a senior adviser in the State Dept. and look how young he is and he could be anyone else such as Karl Rove. At this moment in time we should be able to celebrate we have our ticket and Romney did not pick others who we didn’t want no matter who comments. I wanted Rubio but am content with he chose. Further, the argument on age is ridiculous. The Founders told us in the Constitution the qualification is 35 yrs. of age for a President. Ryan is far superior to all the so called czars serving now and the clown Biden. History will take care of Carter Bush Clinton and this fake it till you make it Obama.

      Report this comment

      TEXASGRANNY73  
    • Jake Wilde
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 8:16pm

      I’m no fan of Bush but most of you here are clueless on why we hit hard times. It was done long before Bush with the housing market and Jimmy Carter. Clinton made it worse in “94″ and then Dodd and Frank helped the market to crash. In 2006 Bush and the GOP went after Fannie and Freddie and the democrats protected them and insisted there WAS NO FINANCIAL PROBLEM.

      So if you armchair political analysts want to spew your ****, at least know wtf you’re talking about.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yga7TlsA-1A

      Report this comment

      Jake Wilde  
    • rreactor
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 11:43am

      I agree with Jake. Bush is a stand up guy and has more character in his little finger than you could find the entire Obama administration. Most of the damage can be directly attributed to failed progressive policies pushed by the Democratically controlled legislature, albeit aided and abetted by weak kneed RINO’s. The Tea Party has forced the Republican party to acknowledge the sins of the past. Despite the MSM’s attempt to paint the Tea Party as radical and violent, the influence of fiscal conservatives can’t be denied. It is time for libertarians, real fiscal conservatives and small government proponents everywhere to recognize that the only hope for change is Romney/Ryan, who are apparently not afraid to have an adult conversation with the country. It may be too late, now that at least 1/3 of the population is receiving some form of welfare, but the option is clear; an orderly transition led by fiscal conservatives or the impending chaos led by progressives who are driving us straight off the cliff. And by the way, how can anyone with a brain buy into the claim that Barack Obama makes in every stump speech about providing the middle class a tax cut? Everyone in this country, in every class, of every gender, sexual orientation, or race, is negatively affected by the unsustainable increase in our debt. The interest we all pay is a direct tax and robs everyone of real opportunity. Only a failed community organizer would try to sell this Shinola….

      Report this comment

      rreactor  
  • livingstone
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:10pm

    The fact that this old guard, no name, has been, establishment Republican thinks this pick is unfortunate simply underscores how RIGHT this pick is for me. After all it was these old school RHINO’s who helped the country get into the mess it’s in in the first place! I’m sure, had he been asked, he would have been just as negative about the Tea Party and true party conservatives. As my mother used to say – If you can’t say something nice – don’t say anything at all!

    Report this comment

    livingstone  
    • Liekiller
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:22pm

      EXACTLY what I was thinking. Shows that Romney may be on the right track after all in replacing the “Old Guard.”

      Report this comment

      Liekiller  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:43pm

      Obama had no foreign experienc except for paling around with his marxist buddies to other countries and doing community organizing. Romney and Ryan are very intelligent and experienced, they will learn all there is to know about foreign affairs. I imagine they will surround themselves with very knowledgeable people. I am not worried at all. They won’t have the muslimbrotherhood in the WH. Knowing how much they both love America, I feel we can be assured that America will be their primary concern. They believe in the Constitution, that cannot be said about Obama. I’m not even sure Obama is really knowledgeable on the Constitution. We have never seen his educational transcripts, so who really knows. We do know Obama would like to do away with the Constitution.

      Report this comment

      NHwinter  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:31pm

      The only thing he was right about was that Paul Ryan will outshine Romney….Which isnt saying much

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
  • snufy
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:10pm

    Mr Whiton sounds just like what I would extect to come from Obama’s people. Why wasn’t W.’s endorsement put to the front, instead of this guy that no one ever heard of? He doesn’t reflect the Bush administration’s views. What about Obama’s foreign policy? He said he was stoned out of his mind for the first 2 years in college and was a poor student. W. got arrested for DWI in his younger and all hell broke loose in the media. Who of us hasn’t too many drinks and drove home. Bars have parking lots. I think Ryan is a fine choice for vp. We have to get this train back on the track. Ultimately, God is in charge.

    Report this comment

    snufy  
  • woodyl1011fl
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Another Bushite republican establishment state department type. Who cares what these people have on their vacuous state department little minds. State does not have America’s interest in what they do most of them are Progressives/Marxist Socialists including the present secretary.

    Report this comment

    woodyl1011fl  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Ryan is a great choice – a perfect fit.

    Report this comment

    Tri-ox  
  • ExDC
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:06pm

    Always wondered why it is called “The United States Department of State” when it does not represent the USA! State should have to register as a foreign country entity! Go Ryan – so glad you are on the ticket!

    Report this comment

    ExDC  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:05pm

    Expect a lot more of this to come through FOXNEWS. They are a sheep in fox clothing. What worries me is how long THE BLAZE will stay true.

    Report this comment

    JUSTANOTHEROPINION  
  • stanishr
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:05pm

    I’d pick Romney and Ryan over Obama Biden on every phase of govt. Obama’s foreign policy is inconsistent and based on UN guidelines. Need to get back to self governance, fiscal responsibility and constitutional rule.

    Report this comment

    stanishr  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:04pm

    Ryan is the right pick; The Whiton dude is a bottom-feeder and a whiny ass. Closet lib, I imagine.

    “We’re getting some R & R from Obama in 2012!”

    Report this comment

    TRONINTHEMORNING  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:08pm

      I watched this interview live and was confused when he said something along the lines of, “we are overdue for having a President being incapacitated and being unable to serve.” Basically saying that if for some reason Romney is unable to serve, Paul is too young to be President. It just came off sounding like a threat lol. It seems really random to say that we are “overdue” for something bad to happen to our President.

      Report this comment

      ModerationIsBest  
    • TRONINTHEMORNING
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:32pm

      No doubt, MODERN; makes one wonder who ‘whiny whiton’ is working for.

      Report this comment

      TRONINTHEMORNING  
    • TRONINTHEMORNING
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:33pm

      Sorry, I meant MODERATION. Where are my reading glasses??

      Report this comment

      TRONINTHEMORNING  
  • KyleD
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:03pm

    As if the VP position does anything other than what the President tells him to? It doesn’t matter what sort of qualifications the VP has as long as it gets people excited enough to vote.

    Report this comment

    KyleD  
    • justasurvivor
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:42pm

      The VP is the presumptive next nominee for president after the president’s 2 terms. That’s important.

      Report this comment

      justasurvivor  
    • KyleD
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 2:32am

      And how many times has that actually happened? Half a dozen out of nearly 50 presidents? Besides, a presidential candidate can’t possibly understand each and ever aspect of the world – that’s a fallacy the media uses to accuse presidential candidates of being inexperienced. A president only needs clarity of thought, a strong sense of morality and the ability to find good advisors – a strong grasp of the largest current problem (which right now is the economy) is a good bonus.

      Report this comment

      KyleD  
  • Dan
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:02pm

    And yet he’s FAR and away better than Biden…

    Report this comment

    Dan  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:01pm

    I refer you to that great sage, Harry Callahan, on the value of opinions….

    Report this comment

    The Gooch  
    • flipper1073
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:15pm

      Everyone has one right ?

      Report this comment

      flipper1073  
    • Wango
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 8:04pm

      KOOCH . . . I love pop culture. Can’t get enough of those references. You either, eh? And you’re using them in just the right place, After all, these are the drones you’re looking for.

      Report this comment

      Wango  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 12:18pm

      Oh, look. It’s Wango, here for yet another “I GET THE LAST WORD IN, DAMN IT!!!” showdown. It’s evident that’s very important to you. Is that incorporated into your point system?
      So it’s “Point Out the Obvious Day” is it? Yes, Wango, give yourself three points for noticing I like to incorporate pop culture references into my posts. They seem a little more accessible and relevant than Dumas.
      Then again (since we’re pointing out the obvious), aren’t you the guy carrying on with the HILARIOUS Gilligan routine? Funny… the rules and expectations you place on others don’t apply to you. Handy. And that’s what makes you so damn entertaining. But careful!!! It could make you predictable and boring in the end. “INCONCEIVABLE!!!” Right, Vizzini?

      Report this comment

      The Gooch  
    • Wango
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 4:58pm

      KOOCH again . . . See, you get so close and out comes the willful obtusivityness. “What? Pop culture? Who said anything about that? What?” Oh, how quickly you forget our Cher days, back when you first professed your love for me.

      And yet you offer this, “Funny… the rules and expectations you place on others don’t apply to you. Handy.” Eh? Eh? You see? Sure you do.

      And for your finale. . . “Careful or it might become boring” . . . Yes, setting up your retreat, I see. Preparing to declare victory and run for the hills. It’s the inevitable result of that victimhood vs accountability conundrum that is so often the cause of social suicides. I don’t set the rules and I don’t care about the rules. But I won’t accept judgment from someone without standards. That’s where you come in, and get off.

      Don’t worry about the meanies in the bar. I know, old habits die hard, and you’ve been scared for all these years. But I’ll protect you. You see, I’m a six-and-a-half-foot gut-crunching carnivore. People sense the danger in me. And they’re right. Maybe it comes from my days in the mines. (No, I didn’t forget the whole first-hand experience thing. And neither did you, though you did your best to avoid it.) Here’s a tip: Don’t confuse intellect with gentility.

      If you couldn’t tell, I’m kissing you off. This will be my last exchange with you. I told you I wouldn’t coddle any amateur efforts. And you weren’t amateur. You were, well, you were that guy.

      Report this comment

      Wango  
  • Mapache
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Does anyone really care what this guy says? What does he know about politics and what the American people want? Who was the producer that found this guy? An intern??

    Report this comment

    Mapache  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:06pm

      I agree; who cares what any ‘establishment’ RINO thinks. Let them go to the Democrat Convention as a “prominent Republican’ and give a speech to all the ‘takers’ and ‘vunnables’…

      Report this comment

      Bum thrower  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

    you got that right….well not literally…but definetly on a fast train headed out a town!…get those socialist out of our white house!

    Report this comment

    godlovinmom  
  • Freedom Hound
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

    If Ryan has “thin foreign affairs experience” that’s still far better than PBOs foreign affairs experience when he was running 4 years ago. So what’s the problem?

    Report this comment

    Freedom Hound  
  • bronco83
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

    Thank you Mutt this assures our president another 4 years !!!!

    Report this comment

    bronco83  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:58pm

    We are riding on that FREEDOM TRAIN, y’all!

    Isn’t “Foreign Policy” the Secretary of State’s job? We like John Bolton for that job, Mr. Romney!

    Our little squirrel population living all around our yard would do a better job at veep than joeybabybidenmytime has, paws down!

    Report this comment

    kickagrandma  
    • psadie
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:15pm

      I agree. I have always like John Bolton’s no nonsense, kick ass way to deal with the U.N. The rest of the world is going to find out the hard way that the money train is coming to a halt. You are all on your own so pull yourselves up by your boot straps and stop your damn whining and put people in office that are not Socialists and Marxists. These politicians have all been put on notice that it is the will of the people that has to be done and not theirs.

      Report this comment

      psadie  
    • Wango
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:16pm

      Foreign Policy is the president’s job. Unless it was George Schultz who idly stood by while the Soviet Union collapsed under its own economic weight and then wobbled up to a podium at the Brandenburg Gate to take credit for it.

      Report this comment

      Wango  
    • justangry
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 8:41pm

      John Bolton? Really?! Wow, I just can’t imagine. That may be the scariest thought I’ve heard all evening.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
  • blackyb
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:56pm

    Where was this man’s “foreign policy” when the Holloway kid went missing in Aruba? I guess he did not know that the little murdering jerk who disappeared her went to Peru and killed him another one. He does not seem to know enough to advise or cannot pull his head out of his own ****. What has he done for America himself?

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • billybe123
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:52pm

    Who the Frack Cares about Ryan’s Foreign affairs!!! We need this fracking Country turned Around!! The Heck with the world for now, Get the USA back on the right Track! Ryan is a good man for the job to support Romney. I’m so sick of hearing this Foreign affairs Crap!!!

    Report this comment

    billybe123  
    • SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:59pm

      The best foreign policy we can ever have is a strong economic and moral homeland. Our forefathers knew this long ago. Thank you….

      Report this comment

      SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • Master.Debater
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:32pm

      I have two questions about Romney and Ryan on foreign affairs:

      1. Will they acknowledge that Islamic extremism is a serious threat to our national security?
      2. Will they ever bow to foreign leaders?

      Report this comment

      Master.Debater  
    • justangry
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:59pm

      @MasterDebator,

      1. I believe they would have to develop a modern military before anyone would believe they’re actually a threat to our national security.

      2. I assume Romney has already bowed to foreign leaders when by attending the Bilderberg conference, and kissing ass in Israel.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on August 12, 2012 at 1:32am

      Angry, do you have any proof of that or are you spewing infowars unsubstatiated claims.

      Report this comment

      mr.goodvibe  
  • Obamujahadeen
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:49pm

    WHO? I know pretty much everyone in that administration from 8 years of blogging at Blogs for Bush and other Pro Bush offerings and I never heard this guy’s name once. What did Obama send him tickets to a baseball game or something to get him off the couch? I can hear the call from David Axholerodder: “better get one of our old anti Bush RINO’s on the phone to fake debunk this bull eh O? We’re on it like stink on a monk … oops I mean we got it covered Der Fuhrer!”

    Report this comment

    Obamujahadeen  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:48pm

    Since “it’s about the economy stooopid,” I don’t think “thin” foreign affairs cred will hurt them in the least.

    Report this comment

    Elena2010  
  • Jdixon1234
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:47pm

    So a Bush progressive senior advisor is not behind Romne/Ryan. These are the types of people we conservitives need to distance ourselves from anyway.

    Report this comment

    Jdixon1234  
    • lwillis59
      Posted on August 11, 2012 at 6:24pm

      If the Bush people are opposing it…. then you KNOW its the right choice.. (not that we need Bushes approval.. he will not even come out and defend his own record)

      Report this comment

      lwillis59  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:47pm

    That’s okay on that foreign policy issue…we already know who does and doesn’t like us!

    Report this comment

    godlovinmom  
  • justangry
    Posted on August 11, 2012 at 5:41pm

    Oh please. Romney’s national security advisors are Bush’s. Civil liberties and a neoconservative foreign policy is was concerns me the most. Just like anything that comes out of Obama’s mouth is a lie, so is anything that comes out of the mouths of the warmongering Bush staff. Men that were so incredibly wrong on everything they said about Iraq have no place critiziing anyone.

    Report this comment

    justangry  
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