Rep. Tim Ryan Is Heading To Iowa And New Hampshire As He Considers Running For President

[DonViejo]

“I don’t know how much longer we can fall behind before we can’t catch up," Tim Ryan told BuzzFeed News.

Henry J. Gomez
BuzzFeed News Reporter

Posted on February 8, 2019, at 4:42 p.m. ET

Rep. Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat who has made waves by challenging Speaker Nancy Pelosi, will visit Iowa and New Hampshire in the coming weeks as he considers a presidential run.

Ryan represents an area where President Donald Trump converted many longtime Democratic voters and he has shown mild interest in a White House bid since 2016. The upcoming travel, which he confirmed Friday to BuzzFeed News, suggests an escalation as he nears a decision.

“I’m concerned about the country falling behind, not being able to compete, and large swaths of the country — two-thirds, probably — not plugged into any of the growth,” he said in a telephone interview. “I don’t know how much longer we can fall behind before we can’t catch up.”

Ryan had few concrete details about the trips. He said an activist whom he declined to identify invited him to a New Hampshire “grassroots meet-and-greet” event after hearing Ryan speak out about General Motors’ decision to idle a factory in his district. In March, he said, he’s scheduled to attend an agriculture forum at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.

The Democratic field is growing by the week, with candidates and would-be candidates already campaigning in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and the other early states. Ryan, if he runs, would enter with name-recognition challenges. To the extent he is known nationally, it’s for his past opposition to Pelosi.

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https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/henrygomez/rep-tim-ryan-is-heading-to-iowa-and-new-hampshire-as-he

[Empowerer]

1. Please go back home, Tim

I have no use for a man who tried to blame Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton for Hillary not carrying his district.

Especially one who, after Pelosi delivered us a Blue Wave, you tried to oust her.

Hey, Tim - next time, why don't YOU do more to help the Democratic nominee win YOUR OWN DAMNED DISTRICT?!

In the mean time, why don't you go home and work on that and leave the presidential politics to others.

[PatSeg]

17. I can't believe the man is actually thinking

about a presidential run. They say he does not have name recognition, but in Ryan's case, that could be an asset. What on earth does he think he has to offer? Maybe he should work more on being a team player and put his own ambitions aside for awhile.

[Empowerer]

19. What does he have to offer?

A penis and an absence of melanin is often more than enough for some people.

[PatSeg]

23. True

but minus a little charisma or a progressive message, even that won't take him far in the Democratic party today. People really seem to be hungry for diversity and they especially are attracted to female leaders.

I really wanted Hillary to go super bold and choose a woman as a running mate or at least a person of color. I think the country was ready, but apparently she wasn't. I understand her caution, but I was hoping nonetheless.

[Garrett78]

20. He's just another "down with identity politics/let's talk about the white working class" candidate.

It's a message that will play fairly well in Iowa and New Hampshire, just as it does with many on DU, but his opposition to Pelosi certainly doesn't help his cause. And, while those states hold disproportionate sway, the following states will not be so kind to the likes of Ryan.

And the field will be much too large for him to gain traction, especially since more popular candidates will have a similar message.

[PatSeg]

24. Oh, I agree

and I think even Iowa and New Hampshire will be looking for a more diverse and progressive ticket. Iowa picked Barack Obama over more mainstream candidates. I live in New Hampshire now and they do tend to be unpredictable and unconventional. We have some really strong female leadership here.

And in the end, his repeated opposition to Nancy Pelosi will stay with him for a long time. We have such an amazing field to choose from, I don't see him getting very far.

[Renew Deal]

2. Somebody has to finish last

[DeminPennswoods]

3. LOL!

[montanacowboy]

4. Not this guy

Please

[Skidmore]

5. Last thing we need is our very own

version of Ted Cruz. I'm still mad about his attacks on Nancy Pelosi. His entitled self-aggrandizing clouds his judgement.

[Garrett78]

6. We'll have the largest field ever, and 90% don't stand a chance.

I'd vote for just about any of our other candidates over Ryan.

We absolutely must change which states kick off the primary season. If we led with states that actually reflect our electorate, we wouldn't have so many people thinking they can win by exploiting Iowa and New Hampshire.

Let's start with Illinois and Arizona or Maryland and Florida. And no caucuses.

[WhiteTara]

15. I agree - no caucuses

I don't really know why those 2 states have preference. That's what gave BS such a cha ching; but then the reality of SC rode that to the ground and he never really recovered.

I agree that this is a huge field and it will winnow out of the next several months. Ryan is a never for me, either.

[Garrett78]

18. We could have 15+ candidates on the Iowa ballot. But many will drop out well before Super Tuesday.

Iowa and New Hampshire starting things off is tradition, and some traditions need to die.

Sanders is wholly reliant upon winning Iowa and New Hampshire. Warren and others put such a wrench in the works that he may opt to not run. 2016 was tailor-made for Sanders, as I've written many times before. 2020 is not, even with an Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary leading the way.

Ryan, Brown and others also benefit from those states holding such sway. If we started with diverse states, it would change the dynamic immensely.

[NCjack]

7. Tim and his friends' money -- they can throw away if they wish. nt

[emulatorloo]

8. Pelosi's recent job performance shows show poor Tim Ryan's judgement is n/t

[OnDoutside]

9. Lol.

[badhair77]

10. No. Just no.

[TeamPooka]

11. Thank you, next. nt

[2naSalit]

12. Just say NO!

[WhiteTara]

13. I expect his to be a short lived candidacy.

He couldn't even get Democrats on board with him. He just has a big ego.

[Garrett78]

14. See post #6. Iowa and New Hampshire give hope to the hopeless.

[jcgoldie]

16. Meh.

No thank you.

[Garrett78]

21. I think "Meh" is actually his middle name.

[MrsCoffee]

22. I lol'd.

[NurseJackie]

25. Why?

[mcar]

26. Who?

[Ohiogal]

27. Tim is my congressman.

He's a mixed bag, for sure -- and I think he's probably wasting his time if he thinks he'll gain any traction on a Presidential run.

But I totally agree with his statement

“I’m concerned about the country falling behind, not being able to compete, and large swaths of the country — two-thirds, probably — not plugged into any of the growth,” he said in a telephone interview. “I don’t know how much longer we can fall behind before we can’t catch up.”

[PeeJ52]

29. Hey... we're from the same area!

I left Newton Falls after I graduated High School. Sad to hear how the area has declined over the years, and now Lordstown shutting down, I don't know how it can survive. Tim better stay home and see what he can do about bringing in some new jobs for the area before everyone has to leave. It was a great place to grow up in, but I couldn't see myself prospering there.

[Ohiogal]

30. Hi PeeJ52

Harding and Kent State grad here.

[Cousin Dupree]

28. I think Ryan is a bullish.t artist