Mitt Romney announced Representative Paul Ryan, from Wisconsin, will be his vice presidential running mate. Romney and Ryan appeared together at a rally in Norfolk, Virginia this morning. At the rally, Romney promised the Republican ticket will present "bold, specific, and achievable" economic policies that will help create jobs.
Rep. Ryan is chairman of the House Budget Committee and has put forward budget plans that would remake Medicare and cut trillions in federal spending. 42-year-old Ryan has served seven terms in Congress.
Governor Mary Fallin released a statement on the announcement this morning, saying:
"Having worked with Paul Ryan in Congress, I know he is a smart, committed advocate for the kind of small government, pro-growth policies that are going to create more jobs and get this country back on track. He's also a genuinely nice person with a great family and a wonderful wife from Madill, Oklahoma. He will make a great running mate, and continue to be an effective voice for the principles of limited government and free markets that make America great. I applaud Mitt Romney for selecting Paul, and I look forward to doing everything I can to support the Romney/Ryan ticket."
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe also released a statement on the announcement. He said:
"I congratulate Mitt Romney on his excellent Vice Presidential selection of Paul Ryan. Ryan is a solid conservative who has shown incredible leadership on some of the biggest issues of the day. The Romney-Ryan ticket will bring solutions to our country's fiscal problems while restoring America's economic strength. Incidentally, he has family ties to our state since his wife is from Oklahoma."
U.S. Senator Tom Coburn released a statement also approving of Romney's choice. Coburn said:
“Governor Romney has made an outstanding selection. He has sent a clear signal that he intends to win not just a political victory but a mandate to restore America. The Romney-Ryan ‘comeback team’ understands our debt is the greatest threat to our national security and will act decisively to meet that generational challenge,” said Dr. Coburn.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside Paul Ryan for many years. He has exhibited the rarest and most essential quality of leadership in politics – moral courage. When most elected officials have offered only rhetoric, Ryan has had the audacity to offer specifics and a plan that has transformed the landscape of American politics.
“Those on the left who view this pick as an opportunity to demonize their opponents will, through their attacks, only energize Americans who are yearning for honesty and real answers. The fact is Ryan has proposed innovative ways to salvage the noblest goals of his political opponents – a safety net that is both compassionate and sustainable. I applaud Governor Romney and look forward to helping the Romney-Ryan ticket put America back on track.”
