Inside Politics: Ryan hammers Obama’s ‘didn’t build that’ remark

GOP vice presidential hopeful Rep. Paul Ryan says President Obama’s “you didn’t build that” remark explains why the U.S. recovery has been so sluggish.

At a campaign rally in Roanoke, Va., the Wisconsin congressman said it revealed Mr. Obama’s “mindset” of favoring big government over private entrepreneurs — and shows why his policies have failed to create jobs.

Last month, at a Roanoke fire station, Mr. Obama said successful businesses depend on things like bridges and schools that governments created — and said to successful business owners, “You didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.” Since then, Mitt Romney and his running mate have denounced the comment as anti-business. Mr. Obama’s campaign insists his words have been taken out of context.

CAMPAIGN

Saddleback’s Warren cancels presidential forum plans

The Rev. Rick Warren says he has canceled plans for a “civil forum” featuring the presidential candidates because their campaign is so uncivil.

Neither the Obama campaign nor the Romney campaign said its candidate had committed to appearing at the forum at Mr. Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. The forum had been planned for this week.

In an interview published Wednesday by the Orange County Register, Mr. Warren said the forum’s goal was to promote civility and personal respect between people with major differences. He said that has not been the climate of the presidential campaign, and that he doesn’t expect that to change.

In 2008, Mr. Warren’s church sponsored a forum with then-Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain.

MISSOURI

Virginia’s McDonnell raises money for gubernatorial hopeful

JEFFERSON CITY — Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is helping pad the campaign account of Missouri gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence.

Mr. McDonnell, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association, headlined a suburban St. Louis fundraiser Wednesday for Mr. Spence’s challenge of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Spence campaign manager Jared Craighead said the event drew about 125 people and raised more than $150,000.

Both the Republican and Democratic governors associations have been active in Missouri’s race.

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