Paul Ryan's Soup Kitchen Photo Op Explodes Into Meme Hilarity

ALL candidates have done something like this. That's what politics is about. This is nothing new. If a democrat did this, there would be no talking about it.

For the love of Pete. A staged photo op? Really? THAT'S the gripping concern of the news media? Last week it was big bird! This is just getting stupid. Does the media have ANY credibility at this point? Lies on Libya. Gas pricing like liquid gold. Grocery prices are insane! UNemployment is stupid high for record months....but sure....you should TOTALLY be focused on a staged photo op (that ALL the idiots do) and a freakin big bird!! Ok....vent over :)

Mensamamma I was shocked to find out yesterday that the mainstream media is talking about Libya like its breaking news.  Sad that this is new news to these people.

Last week in the debate, Joe Biden said "we weren't told they wanted more security, we did not know they wanted security, we didn't know," when asked about Benghazi.

This is what Eric Nordstrom, the Libyan Regional Security Officer US State Department testified..

"I was so frustrated with the lack of response from the administration regarding our requests for increased security in Benghazi, Libya prior to the attack on September 11th that I felt as if I WAS DEALING WITH THE TALIBAN INSIDE OUR OWN STATE DEPARTMENT."

There were 13 FORMAL requests from Security Officers for increased security at the Libyan Consulate, the were all denied.  Four people died in that attack.

And you're concerned about a staged photo-op?

It was not a staged photo op. Ryan's camp did NOT have permission to be there. The charity director would not have approved such an appearance since the charity is a 501(c)3 and is prohibited from any action that appears to endorse a particular political candidate or party. Ryan's appearance there jeopardizes the charity's tax status and the ability to get donations to keep it running and feeding the poor and homeless. Not particularly funny from any point of view unless one finds it amusing to potentially destroy a charity for personal gain.

@wamom, I agree, but at least they're finally bringing it up.

now that the director admits ryan did wash dishes...dirty ones....im sure velez is still searching google again.....this time for:i believed cause i wanted too and now i look silly and childish

Whether Ryan washed dishes or not, the soup kitchen is a 501(c)3 that is prohibited from being involved in politics and can potentially lose its tax status or its ability to receive tax deductible donations. Ryan did NOT have permission to use the charity to promote himself,

Brian J. Antal, president of the Mahoning County St. Vincent De Paul Society, said that he was not contacted by the Romney campaign ahead of the Saturday morning visit by Ryan, who stopped by the soup kitchen after a town hall at Youngstown State University. 

“We’re a faith-based organization; we are apolitical because the majority of our funding is from private donations,” Antal said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “It’s strictly in our bylaws not to do it. They showed up there, and they did not have permission. They got one of the volunteers to open up the doors.”

Antal said  “If this was the Democrats, I’d have the same exact problem.”

He added that the incident had caused him “all kinds of grief” and that regardless of whether Ryan had intended to serve food to patrons or wash dishes, he would not have allowed the visit to take place. 

“Had they asked for permission, it wouldn’t have been granted. … But I certainly wouldn’t have let him wash clean pans, and then take a picture,” Antal said.