NORFOLK, Va. — His selection just hours old, Republican Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, was already tearing into President Barack Obama's "record of failure."
Moving into a role as Romney's chief attack dog, Ryan declared Saturday that the nation under Obama's leadership is struggling through the "worst economic recovery in 70 years."
"No one disputes President Obama inherited a difficult situation," Ryan said, standing at Romney's side for the first time as the Republican presidential ticket on the USS Wisconsin, a retired battleship. "And, in his first two years, with his party in complete control of Washington, he passed nearly every item on his agenda. But that didn't make things better."
Romney selected the 42-year-old Ryan, a seven-term congressman, from a short list that included Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Ryan is the architect of a conservative and intensely controversial long-term budget plan to remake Medicare and cut trillions in federal spending.
His selection immediately thrusts those budget plans into the forefront of the presidential contest.
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina called Ryan is the "architect of the radical Republican House budget" proposal and said the plan "would end Medicare as we know it."
"We won't duck the tough issues," Ryan said. "We will lead."
The congressman blamed Obama for the nation's unemployment rate that has exceeded 8 percent for more than three years, the longest run since the Great Depression.
"Higher unemployment, declining incomes and crushing debt is a not a new normal. It is a result of misguided policies," Ryan said.
Romney initially made his announcement to supporters via a phone app. "Mitt's Choice for VP is Paul Ryan," it said and implored backers to spread the word.
One campaign official said Romney had settled on Ryan as his pick on Aug. 1, more than a week ago, and informed Beth Myers, the longtime aide who had shepherded the secretive process that led to the selection. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details.
Ryan is chairman of the House Budget Committee, and primary author of conservative tax -and-spending blueprints that the tea party-infused Republican majority approved over Democratic opposition in 2011 and again in 2012.
It envisions transforming Medicare into a program in which future seniors would receive government checks that they could use to purchase health insurance. Under the current program, the government directly pays doctors, hospitals and other health care providers.
Ryan and other supporters say the change is needed to prevent the program from financial calamity. Critics argue it would impose ever-increasing costs on seniors.
Other elements of the budget plan would cut projected spending for Medicaid, which provides health care for the poor, as well as food stamps, student loans and other social programs that Obama and Democrats have pledged to defend.
Ryan's budget plan died in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
"Our rights come from nature and from God, not government," Ryan said. "That's who we are. We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes."
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Comments » 83
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Moving into a role as Romney's chief attack dog, Ryan declared Saturday that the nation under Obama's leadership is struggling through the "worst economic recovery in 70 years."
That's true. Thank you W. Bush. Great President Barack Obama has nothing to do with the ultimate cause.
However - Paul Ryan is the better man. More charisma, more standing, more visions! Even if he is wrong, he is making good points. Ryan caused excitement in April 2011, when he presented the Republican budget under the title the path of prosperity. He calls to dramatic changes in medical care: He wants to reduce the Government health programs for the poor and elderly and part privatize what outraged Democrats. Great President Barack Obama criticized Ryan's plan as "barely veiled social Darwinism", and of course great President Barack Obama is right.The major target group for health care are elderly citizens. If elderly people never paid for health care, why shall the government put them with 65 on Social security? Start paying when you enter your business life. Than it makes sense to get health care in your final years.
By the way. That is the basic of Mr. Romney s concept in Massachusetts. Interesting to see, HOW he will come together with Mr. Never-Vice-President Paul Ryan in this case!
OK! Decision is done. I am still betting.
Great President Barack Obama and lovely First Lady Michelle will be 4 years more in Pennsylvania Avenue. And that is good so. The bets in London jumped up for this great team America leads. Today and the next 4 years.
RayPray writes:
The GREAT Obama is definitely Jesus with a tan.
But how can you neglect to praise the second half of this sparkly team, Joe "Blood & Guts" combat hero Biden?
In the VP debates, what chance will poor Ryan have against the intellectual might of Goldy Locks (Kinnock, who?) Joe?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
You are right. Rhetorically is Paul Ryan Joe Bidden 1000times vastly superior. But Joe Biden's heart is bumping left. That helps.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
At the launch, breakdowns Romney is called "the next President of the United States" his number 2.
Because he is lacking the word Vice. When Ryan then later already spoke little, rushed the man with the concrete hairstyle once again on stage, said: "Like usual I won't do mistakes, but with this man here, the future Vice-President of the United States."
"Down to error": behind hide under other insulting statements about the Organization of the Olympic Games in London, criticism of the Palestinians, and most recently the confusion of "Sikh" and "Sheiks", as he expressed his condolences after the murder of Sikh members.
And now he took no breakdowns rest himself at this important appearance again. Really Mitt Romney?
1Paradiselost writes:
Let me ask the party of NO what they have done?
Genuine writes:
I have finally figured out the real difference between a liberal Democrat and a conservative Republican. The difference is that a liberal Democrat will lie, spin and cheat with a smile knowing that 50 percent of the voting public isn’t smart enough to see through it. Need I go on?
Leave it to hard-core Democrats not to be able to recognize an obvious joke. Obama said that he was going to lower the ocean level, so he must be responsible for the drought since he can change the weather.
I saw a Democratic-sponsored ad which states that in 2010 Romney paid 14 percent in taxes on millions of dollars. Where did that tax info come from? Harry Reid’s secret source said Romney paid no taxes for the past 10 years. Which untruth are we to believe?
Fox News falsely implied Obama curtailing military voting in Ohio. Propaganda, plain and simple. In 2008, everyone could vote three days early. The Ohio Republicans passed a bill taking those rights away from everyone but the military. The Obama campaign sued, because tiered voting is unconstitutional. They want the early voting opened back up to everyone. As for Fox, the company is owned and its agenda controlled by an Australian billionaire. Think he’s primarily concerned with the best interests of the United States?
Bain poured $100 million into the old Armco steel plant in Kansas and it kept the GST plant open for eight years before it had to be closed. They also invested in Steel Dynamics in Indiana, which now employs 6,000 workers. Bain and Romney are the good guys, not just a golfing party planner who can read a teleprompter.
The reason Obama wants to outlaw the burning of coal is because he wants his sculpture done on Mount Rushmore.
Where are all the jobs? We need jobs here in the United States. Maybe if Romney had never sent jobs overseas and factories overseas, we’d have something here in the U.S. Let’s put the blame where it belongs on the Republican Party.
Mr. President, why do you dislike this country so much?
After reading the comments, I can only come to one conclusion: Democrats are just too stupid to be allowed to vote.
1Paradiselost writes:
Steel mill polluted town as Romney firm profited!
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/n...
He should be sent to jail!
Genuine writes:
The prosecution rests your honor!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Mitt Romney has every reason to be desperate. Because even though unemployment is still always high and the hope of citizens to an economic upturn is low, and although the vast majority believes that is the country on the wrong track and great President Barack Obama - disappointed many of his constituents losing Romney in the polls continuously ground.
His campaign team has not succeeded, to present the candidate positively and continuously to announce a persuasive message.
Instead it was busy to counter the fierce attacks of the democratic Romney qualifications, and to iron out the regular dropouts of the candidate and his spokesman.
This candidate is just embarrassing.
I feel sorry for America that great President Barack Obama has not a qualified challenger.
But we all must be happy, that the next President of America is fortunately never Paul Ryan. Even by his his recommendation America will never follow Mr. Romney.
November 2012 is Obama month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
America is protected and I am happy.
ajm3s writes:
I guess you have not been reading the bills being passed in the House of Representatives that are NOT being debated in the Senate.
ajm3s writes:
All this for Goethite pollution?
LOL
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Sarah Palin's Facebook note, which mentions President Obama 26 times, Romney and Ryan three apiece.
Thank you Mrs. Palin for this nice election support for great President Barack Obama. So more often his name is mentioned so bigger his chance to win by a landslide. Especially from you. The American icon of yesterday politics.
You are a lovely, lovely woman. Not enough that you were the guarantor for great President Barack Obama's election 4 years ago - go ahead and promote his re-election. America will be love you.
1Paradiselost writes:
Do-nothing house heads home
Congress should be doing all that it can to help create jobs, expand economic opportunity for middle-class families, and take on America’s challenges. Senate Democrats have succeeded in passing bill after bill that would cut taxes for the middle class and strengthen the economy. Rather than doing its part, the Republican House has gone on summer vacation, stranding Senate bills and leaving the American people in the lurch
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS: Senate Democrats Passed Legislation to Cut Taxes for 114 Million Middle Class Families. Senate Democrats led the passage of legislation to extend middle-class tax cuts for the 98% of Americans making less than $250,000, preventing a $1,600 tax hike on 114 million middle-class families. House Republicans are willing to add nearly $1 trillion to the deficit and hit 25 million families with a tax hike by ending credits for raising children and paying for college. [Vote 184, 7/25/12; National Economic Council, 7/12
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT : Senate Democrats Passed Legislation to Reduce the Incidence of Violence Against Women. In April, Senate Democrats passed reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which enhanced emphasis on prevention and response to sexual assault and extended VAWA protections to all Americans. House Republicans have been unwilling to act on the Senate’s bipartisan, inclusive bill. In the time since the Senate passed its bill, there have been over 1.2 million incidents of violence against women. [Vote 87, 4/26/12; CQ, 4/26/12
http://democrats.senate.gov/2012/08/0...
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Ryan's radicalism offers much attack Romney decision in favor of radical Ryan and thus against the much more moderate Rob Portman is not without risk. Ryan's positions are too extreme for many US voters. Just his effort to rebuild the Medicare Senior insurance rigorously not encounters the Americans did. The program is very popular in the population. In his radicalism, the Ryan plan offers much surface area for the Democrats in the election campaign.
But sure is: Romney shows with the nomination of the Catholic clear edge. He countered that the charge standing in the area still, he was not a true conservative. He can conceal his earn go with Ryan's choice. It is still difficult Romney to score at a personal level with voters. With the tough ideologues Ryan at his side, Romney has opted for a clear direction.
What Romney really did with this nomination is nothing else than a copy of W. Bush. Now he is in the comfortable situation hat his running mate can take positions he can not do anymore. Exactly Dick Cheney did 12 years ago. Poor American seniors if you follow this team. You will be the loser.
Vote for great President Barack Obama. He is your man.
Genuine writes:
These are dangerous days for America. We face enormous challenges at home and gathering threats from abroad - and just when the situation requires us to return to the proven traditions of our history, Obama and the Liberal Democrats are moving us in the opposite direction, pushing the wrong values and policies.
Liberalism suffers from a form of moral atrophy, which manifests itself in the inability to distinguish between good and evil.
Left-Wing Liberalism: A Senile Disorder
KlausStoertebeker writes:
What a great statement. Packed with wisdom. I guess you can give me a simple answer of my simple question.
Why is America managed by just 18 Presidents from the Republican side since George Washington? Just for your personnel information. He was the first President of AMERICA.
Genuine writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
ajm3s writes:
I would be more impressed but the list is quite short considering your list is eerily similar to the talking points of ..........
I guess you are not impressed with the list of bills that have passed the House but are NOT even acted upon in the Senate while they are in session. Do you really want to keep score of the number of bills passed by the House and sent to the Senate that are not brought to the floor?
And speaking of leaving the House, I was really impressed when the Democrats staged a walkout this summer, rather than actually casting a vote. Now that is what I call dereliction of duty-walking out rather than casting a NO vote. Mr. Hoyer/Ms Pelosi lament this is NOT due process, this is about fairness, so they walk out and DO NOT even vote.
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/4...
COWARDS? I cannot play a smaller violin to commemorate the crying and lamenting by the House Democratic minority leadership.
LOL
Genuine writes:
It was a picture of a headstone that said I Am Democrat and I Still Vote! Hope no one finds offense with the facts.
1Paradiselost writes:
Yea like trying to vote down Obama care 47 times, and not voting for a jobs bill. Do you think women should be beat up, have no rights? You guys are a joke killing America!
Genuine writes:
If Republicans were looking for a superior candidate, they’ve found it in Ryan. His maiden speech as the GOP vice-presidential candidate was perfectly pitched:
We won’t duck the tough issues . . . we will lead!
We won’t blame others…we will take responsibility!
We won’t replace our founding principles . . . we will reapply them!
Echoes of Ronald Reagan at his best.
1Paradiselost writes:
Saying one thing and doing another. Just keep drinking the Kool-Aid. They will lead us all off the cliff, let alone have a trade war with China. You know the country that holds 4% of Americas debt.
Ones a tax cheat that does not even invest in his own country AMERICA. The other just started to shave.
Not blaming others...The kid voted FOR the stimulus program AND the auto bailout. He also voted for the unfunded Medicare program during the Bush administration and two unfunded wars.
A conservative, I think not! Their record speaks for itself. This is a bad joke.... your going to get Obama again. And you believe the BS, tastes like Jonestown Cola yum, drink some more...
These guys couldn't shine the great Ronald Reagan's shoes!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"These guys couldn't shine the great Ronald Reagan's shoes!"
That is correct. But Ryan is much more substantially than his politic father Romney.
Maybe he fulfilled Romney's rhetorical Freud' slip.
"I introduce you the next President of USA!"
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"We won’t blame others…we will take responsibility!"
Maybe you can learn from this statement.
MarcoBiker writes:
Ryan can run rings around Obama and Biden with his eyes closed.
Five things O-dumdum doesn't want you to know about him. 1. He's a crook ... got away with the Chicago house deal (thanks Tony Rezko). 2. He's probably not eligible to be president ... place of birth aside, on what passport did he travel/live in Indonesia on? 3. He applied to college(s) as a non-US citizen. 4. He was a miserable student and constantly skipped courses and got "coverage" because of race. 5. He is our first Affirmative Action president proving his incompetence over and over, he's not worthy to fuel AF One, let alone ride in it.
ajm3s writes:
If you believe us "guys" are killing America, I guess the gender has been defined and now it is a war on women, oops that is the new Obama campaign focus.
Well, your focus is short sighted, because you actually believe I would agree to your rhetorical "women should be beat up, have no rights"
Classic hyperbole. Excuse me, if I look at your comments with a jaundiced eye. But then again, if I follow the logic from the Democratic leadership that woman have a right to contraceptives? Really, a right?
As a woman, I have no rights? If I do not have rights, then the transgendered are really screwed!
Which leads me back to the theme of protection, do I get a gun or free contraception.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Which leads me back to the theme of protection, do I get a gun or free contraception."
Did you really still need both?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Who washed your brain?
Did you hear that great President Barack Obama will deport all US registered Republicans to Kenya after re-election?
Without passports and return tickets.
Maybe you ask the Bahamas for political asylum.
WizeOlMarco writes:
The only paycheck Representative Paul Ryan ever received in his working career is from a government agency.
26yearsonmarco writes:
Hey Folks, I'm getting tired of waiting for the KLAUS explanation of how Obamee's net worth grew from $400K in 2002 to $11M today.
Can anybody help Klaus out???
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Just for your personal information.
Great President Barack Obama is elected in 2008 and in office since January 2009. From 2002 to 2008 your pal, the biggest mistake in oval office, was W. Bush.
1Paradiselost writes:
And I'm waiting for you to tell us which president wasn't a millionaire after their first term?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Richard Nixon!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Paul Ryan has argued for an overhaul of the federal Social Security program that would include private retirement accounts, but there is little indication that his running mate, Mitt Romney, will embrace Ryan's plan in full if elected in November>.
Means trousers down. Elect great President Barack Obama. What a concept of Romney and Ryan!
Senior citizens GO TO HELL> that is the message.
1Paradiselost writes:
Under 'The Ryan Plan" seniors will have to pay 68% of their Medicare costs..
No thank! you can keep him!
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
1PL is the only one here that gets it. It's all just a show to continue the advancement of power in DC. The Ryan plan is really no better than the Obama plan regarding health care. Neither party will tackle the real core problems in the health care industry. Ryan is lying to everyone over 55. He says there will be no change to their benefits. That is mathematically impossible when health care costs are rising at 9.2% every year.
By the time all you people stop arguing mule or elephant, it will be too late. As mathematics and reality will have taken a firm grip on the developed nations of the world. Reality and common sense are long gone. The people in charge are so arrogant they believe they can change the laws of mathematics. Giving a broke country emergency loans to make its interest payments while it increases taxes and regulatory fees on business while having to cut government jobs that should never have existed in the first place will somehow lead to growth and an increase in gdp so the broke nation will somehow be able to pay back all of the debt some day. Really? Let me know how that works out.
Austerity will become a household word in this country after this election no matter who wins. I can already hear Obama or Romney saying on tv, "all us Americans are going to have to accept tough choices". I'm still anxious to see how 50 million people on food stamps and 13 million (likely more) unemployed react to a reduction in their benefits! Maybe that's why DHS is buying up all the ammo? (Google is your friend)
World markets don't even care about the health of corporations they invest in. It's just momentum chasing and prayers of more liquidity injections from central banks that fix nothing in the core of the economy. This will work until it doesn't. That time is near.
26yearsonmarco writes:
To WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot:
I believe you are exactly right, and we are heading for the Cliff regardless of who becomes the next President, and no one seems to have an answer.
The reaction of the poor and unemployed will make the Sixties riots in cities like Newark NJ look like a picnic.
As far as the responses from my question regarding Obamees Net Worth by Klaus and 1Paradiselost:
What does Other Presidents worth, and Bush's Net worth, have to do with the fact that Obamees net worth grew to $11M. The question is: How did he EARN it.
1Paradiselost writes:
Your just to dumb to get the point. I should turn you in to the IRS!
26yearsonmarco writes:
Point???? What Point?????
All you seem to do is respond to other posts in a very negitive and insulting manner.
I have yet to read one original thought from you.
Do you have any???
1Paradiselost writes:
How many times have egged on Klaus and others here?
Your words could be interpreted by some as being a bully or even worst, a stalker.
BTW. The last president that was not a millionaire after their first term was Harry Truman.
And your not insulting? The following are your words not mine....
Dated 8/06/12.... "I understand Michelle is competing in the Tree Climbing Event.
Are you going to hang around and “Root” for her to get the Top Banana"??
Here's an original thought from me, With a comment like that your either a racist or a 6 year old!
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
26yearsonmarco,
The answers are right in front of us. No one wants to accept it. Certainly not the people in DC that need to please everyone in order to keep the greatest job on the planet. I'm not sure even if acceptance became wide spread consensus that we haven't already stepped over the cliff.
1PL,
not sure why you quoted me there. Nor why you attacked 26years, but you have proved my point. Divide and conquer has worked well. Keep arguing ideology while facts and reality are knocking at the door.
MarcoBiker writes:
Ok, given the fact that the country is in deep doo doo .... who do we want to try to sort the mess out? The obviously clueless or two guys who might be able to prevent a total meltdown?
Obama and Biden are clueless (and always have been, it's just a little more obvious now).
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
I should expand. The answer is free markets creating price discovery. NOT, central planning and credit creation controlling prices, inflation, or deflation. This is a recipe for disaster. Ask the Russians or the Chinese. The Chinese are always a misstep by central planners from revolution.
While I opine what 50 million Americans and 13 million more unemployed will do when their benefits are cut. The real question is, will their benefits be cut? If Russia offers any insight, it is the seniors who should worry. They were hardest hit when Russia went broke. Who better to screw than the old? What are they going to do? Break out there walkers and canes?
No matter. The a-- vs elephant will never end until the people wake the hell up. Then it will be too late.
Maybe that's the reason the Obama administration is still trying to pass NDAA? Maybe that's the reason Homeland security is buying up all the ammo in the country? (Google is your friend) Maybe "wake the hell up" is closer than I think. Maybe soon I could be arrested for thinking these thoughts and putting them into print? Maybe? Maybe not? If history is any indicator and the administration has it's way. I will be labeled a terrorist and jailed without due process. No, I don't think a Romney administration will be any different. Only the rhetoric will be different. Exactly what Thomas Jefferson had hoped for. <sarc
It will be said what I just wrote could never happen now, it's different now. That could never happen here. The real reason is those thoughts scare the f^c% out of 99% of the people. So there is always hope. History says your wrong. Didn't a majority vote based on hope a few years ago? I wonder if Nero ever spoke of hope? I bet he did.
26yearsonmarco writes:
I am not egging Klaus on, I just want his answer to my question regarding Obamees net worth, which neither of you seem to know.
Both Truman and Ragan were, in my opinion, the best Presidents we have ever had.
I extremely happy not to be 6 yrs. old again, but my Grandchildren are in that age bracket, and I worry about them every day.
I guess I became racially biased in the mid-sixties while taking gun shots from those tree climbers in the city I was born in, and watched them burn it down. It’s been a ghetto ever since.
You need to start paying more attention to where this Country is heading under Obamee, even though it may be too late for anyone to fix it.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
Given the fact that the double R ticket will be little different than the OB ticket it is time we the people demand REAL change in DC. Term limits are the most important change I can think of. There are others but basically a return to a constitutional government. Career politicians aren't the way forward. I'm not sure how this is going to be done short of revolution and, 99% of the people don't care as long as the table has food and the TV is on, the i-phone, and i-pad are near by. Bread and circuses of the modern age.
I can't answer your question marcobiker. I'm not optimistic. 99% of people think the same way. Vote for the lesser of two evils, and hope. I hope I'm wrong.
David Stockman was Reagans budget director. He has something to say about the Ryan plan.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/opi...
26yearsonmarco writes:
I plan to hold my nose and vote for Romney the same way I voted for McCain.
Unfortunately, it's our only choice.
Here is another analysis of the Ryan Budget, but at least it's a Budget, and not just a spending spree like we have been on for the last 4 years.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/poor-po...
If "We the People" have become so weak and dependent that we cannot take care of ourselves, than it’s our own fault.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
How much blood and how much money did we pay for the lie of
"weapons of mas-destruction?"
Georg W. Bush
And how much blood and money did we pay for the lie
"I had never sex with this woman?"
William J. Clinton
If I had a choice, I will 100 times more vote for Clinton than for Bush.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
I too put the stick between my teeth for McCain. Not this time. Here's why.
Lets stick with health care. Why is Government involved at all in health care. Why do we let drug companies lobby for laws that lock out competition? What is wrong with competition? Take away medicare and medicaid for all but the truly needy. That happens and health care costs will collapse. That leaves insurance for the people that want it to be used for what it was designed. Catastrophic events. Basic care will be affordable to almost all. Open insurance across state lines. Competition again.
I can't say this enough. Competition Competition Competition Competition Competition Competition, Free markets Free markets Free markets Free markets Free markets Free markets, this brings another dead trait of capitalism, Price discovery Price discovery Price discovery Price discovery Price discovery Price discovery. All this is brought about by... Smaller Government Smaller Government Smaller Government Smaller Government Smaller Government Smaller Government Smaller Government.
I don't think Romney or Ryan agree with any of the above. I know Obama doesn't. So I will sit this one out. Maybe vote for the libertarian candidate. Not because I like him, just to exercise my right to vote. I absolutely believe 100% that this will be the last traditional 2 party election in this country. I'm not alone. Things are going to get ugly in the next 4 years. Mathematics, reality, and markets are all going to come home to roost in the next 4 years. No matter who wins.
1Paradiselost writes:
"Paul Ryan’s Fairy-Tale Budget Plan". By David A. Stockman, who was the director of the Office of Management and Budget from 1981 to 1985 Under Ronald Reagan.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/opi...
Is this the best we can do?
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
Thanks for reposting that link. Pretty much sums it up. Read some of Stockmans other stuff. He shares my optimism.
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