Chad’s Morning Brief: Paul Ryan Chosen as Mitt Romney’s VP, Rick Perry Says Political Correctness Must Stop, & More

Here is your Morning Brief for the morning of August 13, 2012. Give us your feedback below and tune in to Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty for these and many more topics from 6-9 am.

1. Paul Ryan

On Saturday, Mitt Romney announced that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan would be his running mate. Personally, I believe Ryan was a great pick and someone that Republicans will be proud of. Immediately, Ryan had conservatives jumping for joy and the Tea Party was fired up as well. The Romney campaign raised over 2 million dollars in 24 hours.

I heard Paul Ryan speak many times over the weekend and I can't say enough how impressed I was with him. I know some are upset that it wasn't Rubio or a female that was chosen, but I understand the pick. This wasn't a pick designed to appeal to one demographic. Paul Ryan is serious about our debt and has a plan to fix this country. That is what we need right now. Paul Ryan was the right pick to represent the whole country. Trust me, Marco Rubio will be part of the Romney campaign. So will Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire and Gov. Haley from South Carolina.

Paul Ryan was the smart and best choice in the end. I can't wait to hear more from Paul Ryan as the campaign continues.

2. Perry Takes On Political Correctness (link)

Has political correctness gone too far? Governor Rick Perry thinks so.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry says "political correctness has to stop," citing the flap over Chick-fil-A and opposition to same-sex marriage as an example.

Perry addressed an event Saturday hosted by The Family Leader in Waukee, Iowa, aiming to rally Christian conservatives.

He said that when Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy defended "the sanctity of marriage, the left went nuts."

According to his prepared remarks, Perry continued: "When conservatives are offended by a corporate policy, we simply choose not to give them our business."

He added that offended liberals "try to keep everyone else from giving them business."

Cathy said recently that his company backed the biblical definition of family.

That sparked an outcry from gay activists. But hundreds of thousands of customers also jammed the restaurants during "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."

I agree with Perry on this. Political correctness has gone way too far. However, both Republicans and Democrats are to blame. Both sides have called for boycotts before, and they almost always fail. Political correctness isn't just stupid, it's dangerous. Just look at airport security. Why can't the U.S. profile? Yup, political correctness.

3. Targeting Hispanics (link)

Democrats are wanting to go after Hispanic voters in Texas in order to grow the Democratic party.

Calling Latino voters an untapped resource, Democratic Party leaders urged their members Saturday to launch a door-to-door offensive to engage Hispanics on issues such as job creation and immigration.

"Hispanics in Texas are a game-changer," said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party. "This is how Texas becomes blue."

Texas Democratic voters gathered Saturday in downtown Fort Worth for a symposium aimed at engaging Hispanics, who account for roughly 38 percent of the state's 25.6 million residents.

Hispanic voters tend to vote Democratic, and boosting the numbers who head to the polls could radically alter the national political landscape, Democratic leaders say. But doing so will require time and work.

"There is no magical key, no message that will get us to the polls," said Mary Gonzalez, who was recently elected to represent El Paso in the Texas House of Representatives. "What works is voter contact."

Chuck Rocha, a native Texan and Democratic strategist, pointed to polls showing Latino voters care about the economy, jobs and immigration.

"We all need a job. We all need healthcare," said Rocha, a contributor to MSNBC. "We all love our kids and this country."

Of course Republican's are targeting Hispanics as well. The Hispanic community is huge, but it's a group that so far doesn't turn out to the polls. Both Democrats and Republicans want to change that.

4. Ticketed for Chalk Drawings (link)

Did I miss the memo to law enforcement agencies about the danger of chalk?

When the Central Bucks West graduate and his 17-year-old buddy spotted some chalk on the side of North Clinton Street Tuesday night, their teenage imagination took hold. They drew outlines of a whale and sea turtles on the street.

But their fun did not last. Just before midnight, police officers spotted Logan and his friend, and the two were ticketed for criminal mischief.

“I’ve seen the graffiti around town. It’s a problem. But I think the fact that I got a ticket for drawing sidewalk chalk might be a little much,” said Logan. “I’m just going pay the fine and it’s not going to be a big deal.”

The War on Chalk continues.

Other Top Stories:

Romney and Ryan Go on the Offensive

South Texans Look to Mexico for Abortion Alternatives

Denny's in Las Vegas Will Have a Full Bar and Wedding Chapel

These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty. Tune in mornings 6-9am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard online in our podcast section after the show at kfyo.com.