On the SidE. . .

ON THE SIDE. . .
This and that from the world of Valley politics.
RYAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A recent speech on the floor of the U.S. House garnered national attention for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th. Ryan passionately criticized the Bush administration for changing the subject every time discussions focus on the war in Iraq and the economy. With a large chart at his side, Ryan said the war in Iraq is costing the United States 8.4 billion a month.
"If I was in the White House I wouldn't want to talk about this either," he said.
After showing a clip of Ryan's speech on the MSNBC television show, "Countdown With Keith Olbermann," the host asked, "Why isn't every Democrat on Capitol Hill following Congressman Ryan's lead?"
Olbermann's question was answered by Craig Crawford, a frequent guest of the show and a columnist for Congressional Quarterly, a Capitol Hill newspaper.
"Ryan's a different breed" than the more experienced House Democratic leaders who "still act like they're the majority party. They just don't have that pitchfork peasant mentality that some of these younger folks do." I can just see Tim now -- pitchfork in one hand, flaming torch in the other storming the White House.
skolnick@vindy.com