San Diego Reacts to Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney Running Mate: Cheers, Jeers

Updated at 6:50 p.m. Aug. 11, 2012

Local Republicans and Democrats were quick to praise and condemn Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s pick for vice presidential running mate Saturday, and a U-T San Diego editorial called the 42-year-old Wisconsinite “highly qualified to succeed Romney as president should tragedy strike (and) a smart choice politically.”

Fellow GOP congressman Duncan D. Hunter was quoted as saying: “Paul Ryan (is) ... about confronting our budget situation now and not putting off the tough choices. He’s a great pick and he adds a whole new dimension to the ticket.”

But Jess Durfee, chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, told U-T San Diego: “Ryan authored the Republican bill to eliminate Medicare. ... Romney and Ryan are bad for seniors, bad for the middle class and bad for San Diegans.”

And MaryAnne Pintar, a spokeswoman for Democratic congressional candidate Scott Peters, added: “It’s disappointing that Mr. Romney bought into the Ryan-Brian-Tea Party agenda.... The voters now have a clear choice between Peters, a leader and consensus builder who wants to balance the budget right way, and Bilbray, another soldier in the extremist army.”

Speaking on behalf of Rep. Brian Bilbray —Peters’ opponent in the 52nd Congressional District—Fred Tayco said: “Paul Ryan is a young, intelligent, articulate rising star who will serve as a great pick for vice president.”

At the California Republican Party convention in Burbank, Ryan Trabuco of San Diego told KPCC-FM radio: “His pick really shows Romney is focused on the fiscal health of the country. I like Ryan because he’s almost a bit of a libertarian.”

And Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, called Ryan “an excellent pick for VP. He represents the generation which is being robbed by President Obama’s overspending. The phones have been ringing off the hook at party HQ with positive feedback and volunteer interest.”

Original story:

Standing in front of a crowd of supporters on the retired battleship Wisconsin, Mitt Romney on Saturday intoduced Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his vice presidential running mate.

Huffington Post reported that Romney—the Republican former governor of Massachusetts who has a summer —called Ryan a man of "great steadiness" and "unquestioned integrity." 

Huffington Post continued:

Just hours after his campaign confirmed Ryan as his selection, Romney says Ryan won't demonize his opponents. Romney says that Democrats may disagree with Ryan's policies, but he doesn't know anyone who doesn't respect his character and judgment.

The long-awaited pick was leaked late Friday night by several media outlets, including NBC and Huffington Post, calling Ryan, the 42-year-old author of the House budget plan, the choice was formally announced in Norfolk, VA.

noted that Romney passed over Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who had been on the short list of many political experts, reporting:

Romney will be in Manassas late this afternoon for a campaign rally, and McDonnell is scheduled to attend. Romney was scheduled to make the announcement Saturday morning before 9 a.m. in Norfolk as he starts a tour of Virginia, an important swing state in this year's presidential elections.

Just days ago in Dale City,  this fall.

McDonnell was among a short list of other prominent legislators considered for the spot, including Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota; Wisconsin Rep. Paul D. Ryan and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, according to the New York Times.

More California Patch coverage of the Romney announcement:

• Democratic Congressional Candidate Raul Ruiz Reacts to VP selection
• Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs) Reacts to VP selection

Wisconsin Patch sites:

Florida Patch sites:

Iowa Patch sites:

Minnesota Patch sites:

Missouri Patch sites:

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