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Ryan: I Asked for Stimulus Money by Accident

VP candidate has repeatedly denied asking for funds for Wisconsin businesses

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 17, 2012 7:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – Paul Ryan has repeatedly denied that he requested funds for Wisconsin businesses from Barack Obama's signature stimulus bill, despite documented evidence to the contrary. Yesterday he finally admitted he had—but said he hadn't realized he was doing it. Ryan's stimulating ways first came to light in a 2010 Wall Street Journal report. In an interview at the time, Ryan said he wouldn't vote against something "then write to the government to ask them to send us money."

But the Boston Globe reported this week that Ryan did just that, sending at least four letters to the Department of Energy on behalf of two Wisconsin companies looking to develop "green jobs." Ryan again denied those reports yesterday, before finally backtracking with a statement saying the requests were "treated as constituent service requests," according to the New York Times. "This is why I didn't recall the letters earlier. But they should have been handled differently." Ryan still insists, however, that the stimulus didn't boost the economy.

Paul Ryan listens to the crowd response during his speech at a campaign stop at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2012.
Paul Ryan listens to the crowd response during his speech at a campaign stop at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2012.   (AP Photo/Phil Long)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 200 comments
williambaranowski
Aug 19, 2012 4:40 AM CDT
Phew! Thank God, he's only human.
XYandZ
Aug 19, 2012 3:33 AM CDT
He's a liar just like Romney,Biden and Obama are..but since there isn't much of  choice..i'd vote for Romney/Ryan over Obama/Biden anyday. At least Romney/Ryan won't force the gay lifestyle like Obama has
independent-one
Aug 18, 2012 12:31 PM CDT
He didn't realize he was doing it?????    Now here is a guy we want for vice president so he can run the country in case Mitt wants to take his dog on a ride to canada again.   LOL
 

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