It’s no wonder that the deeply contemplative Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) turned into something of a psychotherapist in his analysis of the first general election presidential debate Monday night.
And none of it is favorable for GOP nominee Donald Trump.
“If you couldn’t tell before, he only cares about himself and that just won’t do in the Oval Office,” Ryan said in a statement Tuesday, presumably between oms and namastes.
More reaction: “Whoa — that debate was really something,” he said. “Hillary Clinton knew how high the stakes were and she came prepared. In the face of Donald Trump’s lies, shouting, and innuendo, she stood firm and demonstrated her mastery of policy, and her ability to cut through his ‘noise.’ I was there, I can tell you first hand, it was impressive. If anyone was still in doubt about Trump’s utter lack of qualifications for the Presidency of the United States, last night should have sealed the deal.”
Ryan, who’s backing Hillary Clinton as he did in 2008, thinks of Trump much like a germ that should never get inside the White House.
“Thankfully, this election is far from over and we can make sure he never gets anywhere near there,” he said. “The catch? You have to VOTE!”
Ryan is way into meditation — reportedly sitting in a half-lotus position for 45 minutes a day. He’s a hot yoga aficionado and went on a gadget-free meditation retreat that was later featured in stories around town.
He also co-chairs the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus. But in 2012, he was arrested for public intoxication. He pleaded not guilty and a judge dismissed the misdemeanor charge. He said his back was sore, which was why he was “walking funny.” At the time, he described the charge to the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “It’s garbage.” His spokesman also said the congressman was not intoxicated.
Ryan co-chairs the Military Mental Health Caucus — which seems like something he and Trump could potentially bond over during a hot yoga class.
In 2014, The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball re-dubbed him “Congressman Moonbeam” for his plight to bring mindful meditation to the halls of Congress. (Her story explains that a conservative blogger in Ohio is responsible for the nickname.)
“We don’t need to move to the left or to the right,” he told The Washington Times in 2012. “We all need to go a little deeper.”
Namaste, Congressman.