Does Ryan's false marathon time reflect his character?

[Eikon]

Look Howie.. this is how you use the political forum...


So Paul Ryan was on a radio talk show and was asked about running marathons. He claimed he ran a sub 3 hour marathon. After some digging, Runner's World found the only record of his running a marathon was a 4:01 time.

So.. Do you think Ryan lied intentionally? Did he want to impress everyone and think nobody would ever find out? Does it reflect a dishonest character? Some people claim this is typical for him to boast and make claims that are untrue. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/opini ... .html?_r=1
Does anyone agree?

Or, was it a simple mistake? Perhaps he wasn't sure? It was 20 years ago? Maybe he was thinking about something else at the time? Maybe it's like the typical fishing story where the fisherman conveniently remembers a larger fish than he really caught?

Does this issue affect your vote in any way?

[bigbadberry3]

The runners vote!

I think if you did run a sub 3 marathon you would know it. I may be sentimental but I could almost tell you every large athletic accomplishment in great detail although most of mine aren't 20 years past.

[Bubba1]

I found it odd he embellished the truth on such a minor and verifiable point, as he really didn't have to. Just finishing a marathon is an impressive feat, and he not only finished. he did so in a respectable time.

But as far as the significance of this lie, sorry, I don't think it rises to the level of making one cast their vote for the other guys because of it.

[Eikon]

I don't think it's an issue.. Those who like him will shrug it off and say.. "eh.. it was 20 years ago.. he's not a competitive runner, he could have easily forgotten or perhaps just was confused.. who cares!".. Those who already dislike him will claim it's a bold face lie and evidence that he's the scum of the earth. This isn't the kind of thing that changes a person's vote.

I think I'd rather concentrate on issues that matter. You know.. the economy, foreign policy, medicare, taxes, etc..

[Bubba1]

Thinking a bit more about the issue. My feeling is the lie itself is still barelyy noteworthy, but I see a bigger political landmine if Ryan doesn't begin paying more attention to the accuracy of what he says. He risks suffering a similar rough ride as Sarah Palin did in the last election. That is, he risks becoming a marginalized into cartoonish character. Just as Tina Fey skewered Palin with her impressions, I can see Jon Lovitz, for example, reviving his ol' "Tommy Flanagan pathological liar skit" featuring Paul Ryan introducing America to his wife, Morgan Fairchild....
It seems he's underestimating how closely he's being scrutinized.

[WDRacing]

I think someone should call him a dumbass. Not in public, but someone like maybe Romney himself. Grab him by the scruff of the neck and have a nice, "dude pop your head out of your a**, I'm trying to be the POTUS and you're going to be the VP" speech. The days of making s*** up are over. Everything he says will be vetted to the 10th power. I'm more disappointed then anything. The left doesn't need any more fodder.

[themadscientist]

I think his conservative talk that doesn't match his neocon actions are more disturbing than lying about how fast he can run.

[Bubba1]

I think someone should call him a dumbass. Not in public, but someone like maybe Romney himself. Grab him by the scruff of the neck and have a nice, "dude pop your head out of your a**, I'm trying to be the POTUS and you're going to be the VP" speech. The days of making s*** up are over. Everything he says will be vetted to the 10th power. I'm more disappointed then anything. The left doesn't need any more fodder.

I don't think the RNC's spoken with him yet. Matt Lauer just grilled him about his embellishments during the Today show and he stood firm behind every mistatement. (the marathon time did not come up). I dunno, guys.

Fortunately for the RNC, it's now the DNC's week to get scrutinized....

[WDRacing]

If they're talking they're lying.

[themadscientist]

So to be clear, lies are ok as long as the lies they tell are what you want to hear?

[carloslebaron]

I used to run fast, and I can tell very proudly to the entire world that in men's 100 meters I did it in 7:46 seconds. No one has been capable to brake my record.

[stebo0728]

Much love for ya Carlos, I think you could make pretty good coin writing those Nigerian scam letters.

[WDRacing]

So to be clear, lies are ok as long as the lies they tell are what you want to hear?

I was speaking to my deep rooted distrust in all things said by politicians as a whole. Lies aren't ok no matter the context. Obama could be the most honest man on the planet, I'd still vote against him.

[carloslebaron]

Much love for ya Carlos, I think you could make pretty good coin writing those Nigerian scam letters.

They are a bunch of amateurs... I did it in 7:46 seconds because I knew a shortcut...

[Bubba1]

Much love for ya Carlos, I think you could make pretty good coin writing those Nigerian scam letters.

They are a bunch of amateurs... I did it in 7:46 seconds because I knew a shortcut...

You started when they said "on your marks"?

[Eikon]

Has anyone ever done a radio interview?

Here's the thing.. It's very easy to get tripped up and say the wrong thing.. even if it's something you shouldn't get wrong. When you're doing interviews, you've spent time before hand preparing.. you generally have an idea of what you are going to talk about and how you want to come across. While in progress, you're often thinking ahead to future questions based on how previous questions were asked. There is a cadence to an interivew.. you usually start with small talk whlie both people develop a rapport. Then you get some serious questions for a while. then you'll move back into small talk while both parties take a bit of a break.. then you'll get back into the hardest hitters before you finish.. It's the small talk periods that often get people in trouble.. They are busy thinking about what the next hard question is going to be.. so they don't really focus entirely on the "easy" small talk question at hand.. That's when people often mis-speak. Especially if it's some number or random fact that doesn't have any importance to the main conversation.

[stebo0728]

I find the "...he's just some guy from my neighborhood" lie a great deal more troubling than some marathon time statement.

[Bubba1]

Has anyone ever done a radio interview?

Here's the thing.. It's very easy to get tripped up and say the wrong thing.. even if it's something you shouldn't get wrong. When you're doing interviews, you've spent time before hand preparing.. you generally have an idea of what you are going to talk about and how you want to come across. While in progress, you're often thinking ahead to future questions based on how previous questions were asked. There is a cadence to an interivew.. you usually start with small talk whlie both people develop a rapport. Then you get some serious questions for a while. then you'll move back into small talk while both parties take a bit of a break.. then you'll get back into the hardest hitters before you finish.. It's the small talk periods that often get people in trouble.. They are busy thinking about what the next hard question is going to be.. so they don't really focus entirely on the "easy" small talk question at hand.. That's when people often mis-speak. Especially if it's some number or random fact that doesn't have any importance to the main conversation.

I have, and I never felt the need to lie or embellish. But then again I wasn't running for office. I totally agree that there are some fairly slick interviewers that might get you to lower your guard to the point you blurt out something you might not want out in public, but Ryan is an experienced politician and should be comfortable with that kind of interviewer. Plus, his biggest gaffes were caught in a nationally televised prepared speech, which I think is far more significant than a "gotcha" kinda fib, like his marathon time fish tale.

[hannibal]

People make mistakes. This is no big deal. Though its tough to be off by an hour.

It's like that story you told your buddies about the 6 ft tall, 34DD equipped girl you banged back in high school. You know she looked like Calista Flockhart but you're just proud you found the endzone.

[AZhitman]

Don't care.

I'm more concerned with the things that matter to the country.

Here - BC was a colossal liar - and I'd trade BO to have him back in the White House anyday.

[themadscientist]

Yeah, I do.

[themadscientist]

So, lying is bad, right? I think it is. What do we do about DWS?

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/wil ... 51698.html

Lied. Got called on the lie. Apologize? Hell no! Lie about lie and attack questioner.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-672ZDe ... r_embedded[/youtube]

But wait! There is audio. Let's listen.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpHLa6Eg ... r_embedded[/youtube]

Whoops.

So you did say that. It would be embarrassing if she had a shred of character, but it appears she doesn't so business as usual.

Liar vs liar from two years ago, quite entertaining.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrltAkT ... re=related[/youtube]

[AZhitman]

Ugh.

How in the hell that woman got anywhere in politics is beyond me. And they called Palin stupid?

When a politician accuses a journalist of "making things up", Satan grins.