[PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was a reporter for the Daily Astorian (in Astoria, Oregon) and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as an Oregon state government manager and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing pubic policy – to what I write. If you are reading this, thanks for doing so and please don’t hesitate to respond so we can engage in a dialogue, not just a monologue.]

In politics, the ability to turn a phrase or produce a solid sound bite is viewed as a strong credential.

The risk, of course, is that focusing on a phrase, without back-up, can produce a “gotcha” opportunity for today’s media that seems to thrive on such moments.

But, in several recent examples, the new U.S. Speaker of the House, Republican Paul Ryan, appears to have mastered the art of the good quote. Next? Follow-through.

Here is the way the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) put in in a story on Ryan’s elevation to the Speaker job that he appeared not to want:

“Mr. Ryan, known for his communication skills, might be able to use his ideas to make the GOP more competitive in national elections, particularly the 2016 White House race, even if the prospects for passing big, new legislation are dimming in this Congress.”

And, here, gleaned from several recent media stories on the new Speaker, are some great quotes. The first is my favorite; I wish I would have been smart enough to say it.

• “A greater clarity between us can lead to a great charity between us.”

• “We will not duck the tough issues – we will take them head on.”

• “We should not hide our disagreements – we should embrace them.”

• “We have nothing to fear from honest differences, honestly stated.”
• “Let’s prove ourselves worthy.” [Which illustrates, I add, that Mr. Ryan understands he will be judged, not just by what he says, but by what he does.]
• “Let’s be frank: The House is broken. We are not settling scores. We are wiping the slate clean.”
• “We need to let every member contribute — not once they have earned their stripes but right now. Open up the process. Let people participate. And they might change their tune. A neglected minority will gum up the works. A respected minority will work in good faith.”

According to the WSJ, “Ryan, 45, the Republicans’ 2012 vice presidential nominee, was elected Speaker in a rare, live roll-call vote on the House floor, with each lawmaker standing in turn to declare his choice. The mood mixed solemnity with levity, as Ryan’s predecessor, John Boehner, driven into resignation by GOP strife, brandished a box of tissues and repeatedly neared tears, while some lawmakers shouted their votes almost joyously.”

What’s at stake here is Republican success in Congress. Mr. Ryan knows, for all his ability to utter a memorable phrase, that he is on a hot seat, one that took out his predecessor.

One conservative House Republican put it this way: “I have invested a lot of faith in Speaker Ryan’s word, and I will expect nothing less than a full return on that investment.”