Democratic Strategist: Paul Ryan Really Wants to Help Poor

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan has unveiled a plan to overhaul welfare benefits, and Democratic strategist Bridget Todd says she believes that the former Republican vice presidential candidate "actually is interested in helping the poor."

"The idea behind the thesis is that the poor need very common sense policies that are going to help them," Todd told John Bachman and Morgan Thompson on "America's Forum" on Newsmax TV on Friday. "They don't need paternalism, they don't need to have their hand held, they need dignity."

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"The fact that Ryan is talking about this and making a plan for this is a good thing," she said.

"Ryan actually is interested in helping the poor," she added. "I'm not someone who thinks that he is caricature of a rich guy who hates the poor."

Sarah Isgur Flores, deputy communications director for the Republican National Committee, told Newsmax she believes Ryan, of Wisconsin, is "a great messenger for this."

"He's been traveling around the country really listening to people and hearing what's going on," Isgur said. "It's not just an income gap that we have, it's an opportunity gap. 

"Like he said, he may not have all the answers, but he wants to start a conversation and that is a great start," she said.  "Americans are going to see some great ideas." 

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