Six Days from Election Day, Paul Ryan Pauses to Trick or Treat with Kids
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Liza Ryan trick-or-treating on Halloween as Katy Perry in Janesville, Wisc., Oct. 31, 2012. (Pool Photo)(JANESVILLE, Wis.) — Paul Ryan combined the campaign trail with dad duty Wednesday evening, taking his three young children trick or treating on Halloween using the same route he and his brothers took as children in their hometown.
His 10-year-old daughter, Liza, was dressed as singer Katy Perry, while Ryan’s 9-year-old son Charlie was the Unknown Phantom, and 7-year-old Sam was the Grim Reaper.
Liza – -dressed as a G-rated version of the famous Obama supporter who recently performed at a fundraiser for the president — wore the performer’s signature blue hair, a rainbow headband and outfit to match inspired from the pop singer’s always-colorful wardrobe.
Charlie got into the spirit and dressed as a frightful ghoul wearing a red cape and black mask, while his brother Sam wore a white skeleton’s mask, and a black cape. He couldn’t hold his candy and the Grim’s Reaper’s scythe, so his dad and GOP vice presidential candidate was stuck toting it.
Four years ago, Sarah Palin also celebrated Halloween with her young children, taking them trick or treating on the campaign trail in Harrisburg, Pa. Daughter Piper dressed as a snow princess.
Ryan, who was costume-less, was dressed in his Wisconsin Badger Red North Face jacket with matching hat, while his wife Janna wore a witch’s hat. Ryan had niece Zaydee May, dressed as a butterfly, in toe with her mom Zoe, who are both visiting from China. Zoe is married to Ryan’s older brother Stan who was recently on the campaign trail with the Wisconsin congressman.
The group trick or treated on Jefferson Avenue, where Ryan and his two brothers used to ask for treats themselves.
“This was the route I did when I was kid. I did this route every day, every Halloween when I was a kid. And the kids do the same one,” Ryan told reporters who were invited to cover part of the festivities.
The only talk of politics was when a reporter asked Ryan about recent polls that show him down in Wisconsin, but he wouldn’t answer, saying, “We’re not doing questions.”
A new poll out Wednesday from Marquette University Law School shows a lead for the president in Wisconsin with Obama at 51 percent to Romney with 43 percent.
The latest ABC News/Washington Post Tracking poll out Wednesday has the race tied nationally, with both Romney and Obama at 49 percent support.
Usually the Ryan kids are in school and off the campaign trail, but when they are out they tend to lighten the mood of the campaign when they travel with their parents.
The outgoing trio love to orange bowl on the plane and advise over the intercom when the campaign plane is about to land.
The youngest, Sam, even came back and visited with reporters who cover his father’s campaign day in and day out earlier this month. After a few questions from the inquisitive press, Ryan’s spokesperson came back with a smile on his face and jokingly ended the back and forth with an “OK, last question.”
Sam is also the Ryan who could be seen sitting in Joe Biden’s seat with a huge smile on his face after his dad finished his final debate against his opponent.
Of course, it wasn’t just the family getting into the spirit of things Wednesday evening.
Ryan’s personal aide, Jake Kastan, proved to be incredibly loyal and went beyond the call of duty dressing in a yellow chicken costume for the three kids, who affectionately call him “chicken butt.”
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio