what eye thynk: Why does the GOP leader need such a large number of what are basically party propaganda writers? Because he has plans to re-design the job of Speaker of the House. Fundraising? Nope. Traveling to party events? Uh uh. Schmoozing the big donors? Ain't gonna happen. He'll be delegating those tasks while he concentrates on getting his party's vision for America out in front of the people.
Well, you might think, isn't that what party leaders do? The answer is, yes--but they usually don't do it with taxpayer money. Disseminating party policy is historically done through party-funded organizations like the Republican National Committee, while congressional media staffers are charged with explaining the policy proposals and positions of those serving in Washington.
And therein lies the problem. Other than repealing the ACA (zzzzz), cutting taxes for the rich and abandoning our senior citizens to their own fates, the GOP doesn't really have any policy proposals. And, if Mr. Ryan's hiring practices are any indication, they have no intention of creating any.
Further evidence of this can be seen in Mr. Ryan's decision to not increase the number of GOP staffers responsible for creating legislation. The new Speaker's vision for his party seems to indicate that he views legislators not as lawmakers, but as party propagandists. Or, as MSNBC's Steve Benen wrote, under Mr. Ryan's leadership, his party will be "less invested in governing and more invested in public relations... Those hoping a Ryan-led chamber would mean a transition to a wonky, policy-focused House should probably start adjusting their expectations accordingly."
John Boehner's record for leading a House that passed the fewest pieces of legislation in modern U.S. history seems about to be challenged. Don't expect a refund on your hard-earned tax dollars.
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