In response to:
Romney won all three debates. Ryan was spanked by Biden.
Mitt Romney's top campaign aides conducted a conference call with conservative journalists this afternoon, during which they assessed the damage from Tuesday's electoral loss. The participants included campaign manager Matt Rhoades, political director Rich Beeson, polling director Neil Newhouse and digital director Zac Moffatt. A few notes from the call:
Matt Rhoades, on the overall race: "No campaign is perfect, and we certainly made our share of mistakes." On Paul Ryan: "He has come away from this race with a very bright future before him."
Rich Beeson, on the campaign's strategy: "We won independents and held the base....
Putting a female on the ticket as VP would have gained female votes, which we needed, as well as votes from people who would like to be part of "making history"; having the first female VP ever voted in. Ryan was a bad choice in that regard.
Putting a moderate on the ticket as VP would have gained Independents, which we needed. Ryan was a bad choice in that regard.
That said, I have nothing against Ryan, but having him on the ticket instead of a moderate female of color was a big mistake.