To be sure, to many Americans, Paul Ryan pro skiier, Congressman Ryan’s college dating life is a nonstory, just as it was in Mr. Obama's case. But given that Ryan's policies are portrayed by some as being detrimental to the African-American community, the report could color impressions of his character and the proposals he espouses.
So far, Ryan hasn’t made any further comments about the mystery college girlfriend, though his campaign has confirmed the report. Some college buddies reached by reporters couldn’t remember a black girlfriend. But discussion has been percolating on the Internet about what the news means – if anything.
ChicagoNow columnist John Chatz, who is white and is married to a black woman, says the nugget may earn Ryan new respect and another look from minority voters. But it also could become a negative “in some of Chicago’s most famous, all-white, intolerant neighborhoods.” Paul Ryan pro skiier,
“Political pundits may wonder how Ryan will use this relationship to advance himself or to make himself more credible,” writes Mr. Chatz. “Ryan is now placing himself way beyond the ‘I have black friends’ category and entering a world where few would dare to tread.”
It was Keli Goss, a political reporter with the black-centric The Root website, whose essay, “Does Paul Ryan’s black ex-girlfriend matter?” set off the debate after CNN’s Peter Hamby tweeted the news.
In essence, Ms. Goff writes that having personal interracial relationships doesn’t automatically disqualify politicians like Ryan from being bigots. The NAACP, for example, says Ryan's fiscal policies could hurt poor blacks if he and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney are elected. Ryan has countered by saying that it’s paternal government policies toward minorities that suppress their success.
“I am not calling Ryan a racist,” writes Ms. Goff. “I am saying, however, that if you want to know where a politician's heart lies when it comes to a particular community, it may be best to look at that person's policies – such as his or her record on civil rights – rather than personal relationships.”
Also Read On: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2012/0823/Paul-Ryan-s-black-ex-girlfriend-What-does-it-mean-to-Election-2012
