Politicians react after Wisconsin's Paul Ryan named Romney running mate
MADISON -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Saturday, August 11th announced Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate. Wisconsin politicians are responding to Romney's announcement regarding his VP candidate selection.
State Senator Alberta Darling (R - River Hills):
"Mitt Romney hit a home run. Paul Ryan is a bold pick. It shows how serious Mitt Romney is about fixing the economic mess created by President Obama.
Together, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will attack debt, despair, and doubt. They will provide true leadership because they want all Americans to succeed. Both men thoroughly understand the economy and what makes it tick. They know that jobs come from small business owners, not from government. The American dream is back for all Americans, including our children and grandchildren.
Paul Ryan is incredibly intelligent, sincere, and honest. He is more concerned about real solutions than he is about re-election. It's telling when Paul Ryan's budget plan offers real solutions and President Obama's budgets can't even get the support of a single Democrat.
Paul is an optimistic and likable guy. He's a devoted husband and father. He's an unassuming person from a working class Wisconsin family, who understands the challenges, the hopes, and dreams of Americans everywhere. Most importantly, he knows how to fix the economy.
When the nation saw Paul Ryan dismantling President Obama's arguments during the Health Care Summit, they saw what we in Wisconsin already knew: Paul Ryan is a shining star in politics. I can't wait to watch the Vice Presidential debate."
U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Tammy Baldwin:
"Congratulations to Paul and Janna Ryan. I know Wisconsin takes pride that one of our own has been chosen for a place on the national ticket.
Paul and I went to Congress together in 1998; I consider him a friend. We have always managed to disagree without being disagreeable. We have both dedicated our lives to public service, but I am committed to building a much different road to the future.
I believe that the wealthy needs to pay their fair share and that the middle class needs to get a fair shot at the American dream.
Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and all my opponents in the Senate race believe that we can move our economy forward by looking to the policies of the past that failed and got us into our fiscal mess in the first place. They all support providing budget busting tax cuts to millionaires and paying for them by increasing out of pocket health care costs for seniors, increasing the cost of higher education for students and their families, and ending Medicare as we know it for future generations.
I believe that path is wrong for Wisconsin, wrong for our nation, and that we need to do what's right for the middle class."
Former Republican state Senator Van Wanggaard:
“I couldn’t be prouder that my friend and my Congressman, Paul Ryan, will be our nominee for Vice-President. Governor Romney couldn’t have picked a better choice. Just as we undertook bold reforms in Wisconsin, Congressman Ryan understands the need for boldness in Washington. The Romney-Ryan ticket offers a clear alternative to the failed Obama-Biden record of more taxes, more spending, and more record-breaking deficits.”
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and RNC Co-Chair Sharon Day:
"My friend and fellow Wisconsinite Paul Ryan will serve America admirably as the next Vice President of the United States. Today, Americans are starving for leaders who can fix our economy and get our spending under control. Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan have the knowledge, expertise and vision we need to get America working again and get our fiscal house in order. Across the country, Americans are hurting, but America's Comeback Team will offer us a new direction and a brighter future. I congratulate Governor Romney on his excellent decision. This is a great day for Wisconsin and for America," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.
"I share the Chairman's enthusiasm for Congressman Paul Ryan. The Romney-Ryan ticket will help get America working again," said RNC Co-Chair Sharon Day.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson:
"Today is a great day in Wisconsin. We've just been informed that Congressman Paul Ryan is going to be the nominee for Vice President," said Thompson". And the United States is going to find out what we already know in Wisconsin, that Congressman Paul Ryan is not only a great Congressman a great states person but an absolute wonderful human being...We are so proud of you, and wish you the best. And I can't wait to start campaigning with you and Mitt. And making sure we make the United States as strong and as great as its potential has always been. We will do it. We will be victorious."
President Barack Obama:
“In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes.”
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker:
“Governor Mitt Romney made a bold and reform-minded selection in Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. This election has to be about who is going to look out for the next generation. America needs a comeback team to turn around the economy and to turn around the fiscal status of our country. Romney and Ryan have the ideas and the experience needed to take on these core issues. This is a great day for Wisconsin and an even greater day for America.”
U.S. Senate candidate Mark Neumann:
“Congratulations to Paul Ryan for being picked as our country’s next Vice President. Sue and I have been friends with Paul and Janna for many years. Mitt Romney could not have made a better choice as his Vice Presidential nominee. Paul’s grasp of the federal budget and dedication to conservative principles will serve Mitt Romney and our country well.
When I served in Congress and Paul was a young staff member, I saw in him a future leader; someone with the ability to understand the problems our country faces and the skills to get the job done. I worked hard to ensure he was the one to represent the district I had the honor to serve.
The Romney-Ryan ticket demonstrates that conservatives are serious in our efforts to balance the budget, cut spending, and repeal ObamaCare. Barack Obama is taking our country down a dangerous path. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have the vision, experience and bold leadership to Restore America’s Promise.
It’s truly a great day to be an American and a Wisconsinite. Sue and I will pray for Paul’s family and for the wisdom to lead our nation.”
---
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan is in his seventh term in Congress representing Wisconsin’s First Congressional District. He is Chairman of the House Budget Committee, where he has worked tirelessly leading the effort to reign in federal spending and increase accountability to taxpayers. He also serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he has focused on simplifying the tax code and making health care more affordable and accessible.
In January 2010, Ryan gained attention nationwide after unveiling his “Roadmap for America’s Future,” a proposal to eliminate the federal deficit, reform the tax code, and preserve entitlements for future generations.
Representative Ryan was born in Janesville, Wisconsin on January 29, 1970. A fifth-generation Wisconsin native, Ryan was the youngest of four children born to Paul Ryan Sr., who worked as an attorney, and Betty, a stay-at-home mom.
In April 2000, Ryan proposed to Janna Little, a native Oklahoman, at one of his favorite fishing spots, Big St. Germain Lake in Wisconsin. Later that year, the two were married in Oklahoma City.
The Ryans reside in Janesville with their three children, Liza, Charlie and Sam. The family are parishioners at St. John Vianney Catholic Church.
Upon entering Congress in January of 1999, Ryan was the youngest member of the freshmen class at the age of 28. Prior to running for Congress, Ryan served as an aide to Republican Senators Robert Kasten Jr. and Sam Brownback, former U.S. Rep. and Vice Presidential Candidate Jack Kemp, and as a speechwriter for Education Secretary William Bennett.
Ryan is a graduate of Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville and earned degrees in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio. He is an avid outdoorsman and is a member is of his local archery association, the Janesville Bowmen.
CLICK HERE for more coverage of Mitt Romney's selection of Wisconsin's Paul Ryan as his running mate via FOX6Now.com.