GOP Hopefuls Back Ryan Plan

Politico reports:

Republican presidential hopefuls were quick to express their support for House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan Tuesday — even as they were cautious about embracing the specifics of his ambitious budget proposal.

The Wisconsin Republican has proposed cutting roughly $6 trillion in spending, and the White House wannabes who chimed in lauded his political courage.

"With over $6 trillion in spending cuts, congressional Republicans are making the tough choices in the short and long term to bring the federal budget under control, and I urge the American people to stand with them in the face of Democratic Party obstructionism," said Rick Santorum, who was explicit in backing Ryan's Medicaid reform proposals.

But Tim Pawlenty's statement neatly underscored the political tightrope the candidates might need to walk in approaching a budget-cutting effort that could ultimately touch important constituencies needed to win a presidential primary. Ryan himself has said his budget proposal will hand Democrats a "political weapon" of sorts.

Pawlenty praised Ryan as "someone offering real leadership" before quickly pivoting to criticize President Barack Obama and the more looming budget battles.

"While the budget is going to be debated for several months to come, the more immediate issue we face is President Obama’s plans to raise the debt ceiling next month," Pawlenty said. "That's a really bad idea. With over $14 trillion debt already, we should not allow Washington’s big spenders to put us further in the hole."

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