Post date: Aug 11, 2012 7:51:45 PM
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 11, 2012) (NBC) - Residents of Paul Ryan's hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin had mixed emotions Saturday (August 11) after hearing the news that their local congressman was selected as the Republican vice-presidential candidate to run with presidential candidate Mitt Romney in the November 6 election against President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick Paul Ryan gets mixed reviews in his Wisconsin hometown.
The morning announcement brought dissenting reactions in the battleground state of Wisconsin where voters are almost evenly divided between the two major parties.
From nearby Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, one supporter focused on Ryan's commitment to fiscal conservatism.
"I think we need more fiscal responsibility in politics today and I think Paul brings that to the table and I think that's his greatest asset. Spending and spending and not having the money and printing more money to solve the world's problems is not the way to go. I think Paul is one of the few in politics who's willing to address that head on, so I think its a great choice," said Mark Spahos.
In Janesville, Wisconsin, where Paul Ryan lives with his wife and three children, reactions were mixed. One resident said she is not a fan of Romney and the choice of Ryan does not change her view of the Republican ticket.
"Mitt Romney and I don't agree on a lot of fundamentals of how the country should be run. I don't think being in business necessarily makes you a good choice to be president and know how the country should be run. I'm very much for everyone working together as one people, not sure that Paul Ryan or Mitt Romney can do that," said Maryam Polley.
Another resident applauded Ryan's work as Chairman of the House Budget Committee.
"I think Paul Ryan has done a great job in the House budget finance committee. I think he's represented our state. I think he's got some good policies and he's a good conservative, good family man, and he's done a good job for us," said Kevin Butler.
Ryan is a favorite of the conservative Tea Party, an anti-tax, limited-government movement that helped Republicans take over the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
Wesley Enterline said he did not support the Romney-Ryan ticket but neither did he support the Democratic ticket.
"I personally don't agree with the direction Paul Ryan wants to go with financial state of affairs in the country. I don't plan on voting for either of the two major parties. I really hold environmental concerns as my chief value and I plan on voting for the Green Party, and hope other people will consider the Green Party as well," said Enterline.
Romney's decision caps a months-long search for a running mate to complete the ticket that will face Obama and Biden in November.
His choice of Ryan is seen as a bold move as Romney finds himself suddenly falling behind a bit in what has been a razor-sharp race in a campaign that is based largely on the weak U.S. economy.
The selection of 42-year-old Ryan brings a measure of youthful exuberance and energy to the Republican ticket as party activists prepare to gather in Tampa late this month for the convention that will formally nominate Romney as the presidential nominee.
"I think it's great for the community and it'll be good for the ticket," said hometown resident Pearl Casanovas of the selection of Ryan.
Ryan now joins Romney on a bus tour through four battleground states the Republican ticket needs to win in November -- Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio.