Paul Ryan says Obama rhetoric does not meet substance

By: Corbett B. Daly
Topics: Campaign 2012

President Obama plans to address Congress Tuesday night with his annual State of the Union address, but a top House Republican sought to portray the remarks as just another speech pitting Democrats and Republicans against each other.

"The rhetoric just doesn't quite meet the substance, and that's our concern," Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said on CBS This Morning.

Mr. Obama plans to lay out his vision for the country in the remarks, which amount to major campaign speech for the president seeking another four years in power.

Ryan said Mr. Obama would lay out promises of what he hopes to do because "I don't think the president can run on his record, it's not good."

Mr. Obama has described his upcoming remarks as a "bookend" to the speech he gave in December in Kansas in which he outlined his philosophy of how to reduce persistent unemployment and said now is a "make or break" moment for the middle class.

"I'm going to lay out a blueprint for an American economy that's built to last," Mr. Obama said in a video email Saturday to campaign supporters.

He said the economic recovery is built on four pillars that will be key for his administration to focus: manufacturing, engineering, worker skills and American values.

"And that's rebuilding an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded - and an America where everybody gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everybody plays by the same set of rules," Mr. Obama added in the preview.

Ryan said the speech is just talk.

"It's going to be a very political speech. We've heard the same kind of rhetoric before and look at the kind of results we're getting," Ryan said.

Corbett B. Daly
Corbett B. Daly is CBSNews.com's deputy politics editor.
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by superdem1 January 24, 2012 4:46 PM EST: See, the Republicans live in Never Never Land, which is how they vote - NEVER!!!!NEVER!!!! Like on President Obama's Jobs Bill - NEVER!!! So, of course they think Americans agree with them, but Mr. Ryan, Congress has a 9% approval record for a REASON - YOU are the reason. When President Obama took office, the DOW was at 6,000 and everyone's 401(k) was in the toilet, thanks to Bush and the Republicans tanking the economy for eight years. Today, it's at 12,676 and everyone's 401(k) is doing reasonably well, and that is in the face of complete REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION, so your criticisms are FALSE. Plus, the Republicans you are presenting as Presidential candidates are a sickeningly wealthy vulture capitalist with offshore tax evading accounts, a serial adulterer who was kicked out of the House Speakership by his own party for ethics violations, a mad dog anti-abortion and anti-gay Ex-Senator, and a Libertarian anarchist who wants to return the United States to a confederation of independent colonies. All of them pledge to destroy the federal safety net, Medicare, and Social Security. So, President Obama looks pretty good in comparison.; Reply to this comment


by qyeteye January 24, 2012 4:21 PM EST: Repulicans = Masters of Disasters
Great Depression, Savings & Loan Debacle, Great Recession

Most recently extreme filibusters and hostage politics leading to 1st Credit Downgrade

A party of, by, and for the 1% 1st - country 2nd.; Reply to this comment

by mountainstates1 January 24, 2012 4:13 PM EST

Ryan, you've been nothing but a nightmare for the Republican party. NOBODY cares what you think...

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by nvorr January 24, 2012 4:32 PM EST: Ryan talks out of both sides of his mouth.

He voted for Bush's Medicare Part D - a program that was not paid for. Now, he has a problem with programs not being paid for up front.


by BruntLIVE2 January 24, 2012 4:07 PM EST: Eddie Munster needs to settle down, Ryan isn't an ex-president or anything, the sad face like "we care" look doesn't work.; Reply to this comment


by stevex47 January 24, 2012 4:02 PM EST: If I was stupid enough to be a tea birther I'd have trouble with Obama too, you know, stopping the war based on WMD lies, outting CIA agents, fixing boosh economic catastrophes and getting bin laden.; Reply to this comment

by Raptorsmasher January 24, 2012 3:56 PM EST

Like hell the president can't run on his record! The president continued supporting TARP which saved the American and world financial system from total collapse. When Obama took office the country was shedding 800,000 job a month. TARP also provided a ground floor for the resession where none existing before. Since then, the banks have paid back all what was borrowed plus interest. Obama also championed the bailout of the American auto industry. Not only did this action save 2 million jobs, it brought back the industry to profitablility. In fact, GM is now back to the number one car manufacturer in the world. Under Obama, we have had 2.4 million jobs created, greater than the net growth for the entire eight years under Bush. We also have a national health care program that when it begins to take effect in 2014, it will likely reduce the deficit according to the CBO. Where Bush paid lip service to capturing Bin Laden, Obama made the decision for the daring raid on Bin laden's compound against the wishes of members of his cabinet. He even had the foresight to order an extra helicopter just in case the operation took a turn for the worse. Obama also took the attack to Al Queda and this terrorist group is only a former shadow of itself. Finally, he honored America's commitment and pulled the troops out of Iraq. All this was accomplished inspite of the do-nothing republican congress whose only interest is to unseat the president. Oh yeah, Obama has a record he can run with. His republican challengers would be happy to have half of these accomplishments going into this election, but over the last three years, the only thing they could muster up was saying the word, "No."

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by Raptorsmasher January 24, 2012 5:32 PM EST: Your response to my post clearly illustrates the minimal depth of your understanding.


by AOCGUY January 24, 2012 3:54 PM EST: And of course previous Presidents NEVER made a political speech when giving the State of the Union Address.; Reply to this comment


by Stentor7 January 24, 2012 3:53 PM EST: Paul Ryan = Concern Troll

Hey Paul, why don't you take your austerity plans and crawl back under the bridge you were birthed? Or better yet, stick those plans where the sun doesn't shine? You just made the list buddy, the list of the top 25 people I will punch in the mouth if I ever see them in person.; Reply to this comment


by ATLCurtis January 24, 2012 3:47 PM EST: republicans created and are masters of divisiveness, it's the only thing they do well.

If they truly cared about all Americans instead of only the rich, we would all be much better off... they are a sad disgusting party.; Reply to this comment


by Paul_I January 24, 2012 3:13 PM EST: What Ryan really meant to say was that he and his fellow Republicans are committed to do everything necessary to oppose any policy, idea, suggestion, recommendation, concept or position put forward by Obama.; Reply to this comment