Paul Ryan promised on Wednesday that he and Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney would make the tough choices needed to lead a US economic turnaround that generates jobs and cuts government spending and debt.
Ryan accepted his nomination as Romney’s running mate at the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida, drawing repeated roars from delegates as he vowed to challenge President Barack Obama’s economic policies and confront Democrats on changes to the popular Medicare health programme for seniors.
A fiscal conservative and budget expert, Ryan said the White House race would offer “the clearest possible choice” in the November 6 election about possible remedies for a sluggish economy and high unemployment.
“Before the math and the momentum overwhelm us all, we are going to solve this nation’s economic problems,” Ryan said in a speech that introduced the little-known Wisconsin congressman to voters.
“We will not duck the tough issues – we will lead. We will not spend four years blaming others – we will take responsibility,” he said. “So, here’s the question. Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?”
Ryan pointed out his elderly mother, Betty, in the audience when talking about Medicare and drew laughs when he mocked Romney’s old-fashioned choices in music.