Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan will take the stage tonight at the Republican National Convention and appear before an American audience that views him as “conservative,” “intelligent,” and “unknown,” a new study released Wednesday from Pew Research Center shows.
Conducted August 23-26, Pew’s study asked respondents ascribe one word that “best describes” their impression Ryan. The two leading responses likely serve as a reflection of Ryan’s status as a star on the right and his reputation as a budgetary expert: 26 respondents describe him as “conservative,” and 25 call Ryan “intelligent.”
Twenty-three apply the broad description of “good” to the House Budget Committee Chairman, but 22 also characterize Ryan as “unknown” — underscoring the pressure he faces tonight when he introduces himself to much of the public for the first time.
