FIRST THINGS FIRST: The Media Helps Mitt Romney Use Paul Ryan To Change The Debate

WHERE ARE YOUR TAX RETURNS, MITT ROMNEY? 3 CHICS POLITICO REMEMBERS.

Here’s what the nation’s papers are saying about the Romney-Ryan ticket

By bypassing Portman, Romney may have blown it  –Columbus Dispatch // OpEd

Well now, I thought, doesn’t this look suspicious? Rich Beeson, national political director for Mitt Romney’s campaign, and Rick Wiley, political director for the Republican National Committee, in Columbus together, less than a week before the big bus tour. There they were on Wednesday, at Romney’s Ohio headquarters on Dublin Road, huddling with state campaign director Scott Jennings and others in Romney’s Ohio brain trust.

Analysis: Pick could lose Romney Ohio, Fla.   Columbus Dispatch // Jack Torry

WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney’s decision to select Republican congressman Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate is a bold stroke designed to convince skeptical conservatives that as president, he will crusade for lower taxes and curbing federal spending. As he made the announcement to an enthusiastic crowd in Norfolk, Va., yesterday, Romney praised Ryan.

Romney’s VP choice could be risky in swing state Florida–Tampa Tribune // William March

Choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney made a bold statement on his campaign’s central economic issues but also one that could be risky — particularly in the crucial swing state of Florida. Ryan, 42, a seven-term House member from Wisconsin, is widely viewed as the Republican Party’s intellectual leader for his budget proposals, which include the most drastic alterations in Medicare and Social Security ever embraced by a national party.

Obama camp defines Romney/Ryan as ‘The Go Back Team’– WMUR // CNN

The Obama campaign released a web video following Mitt Romney’s announcement of his running mate in Virginia Saturday morning seeking to define the newly formed pair as toxic for the middle class. The video highlights presumptive Republican presidential nominee and his running mate pick, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, architect of the House’s Republican budget proposal and chairman of its Budget Committee, as a ticket supporting a drastic budget plan which includes deep cuts to entitlement programs that would affect middle income Americans.

Democrats seize on Ryan selection–Concord Monitor // AP

Democrats pounced on Mitt Romney’s selection of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate yesterday, saying the pick showed a commitment to “budget-busting tax cuts” for the wealthy and greater burdens on the middle class and seniors. President Obama’s campaign team said Romney’s choice made clear that the former Massachusetts governor would be forced to adhere to the principles laid out in the House Republican budget – authored by Ryan – which they said would undermine entitlement programs crucial to middle-class families and seniors. Democrats said privately that the choice of Ryan could help Obama in states with large numbers of elderly voters, such as Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Democratic attacks on Ryan focus on changes to Medicare and Medicaid–WMUR // CNN

When Rep. Paul Ryan first revealed his House GOP budget proposal in the Spring of 2011, Democratic reaction was swift and biting. One much-maligned ad from a liberal advocacy group showed a Ryan look-alike pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair off a cliff, ending with the tagline: “Is America beautiful without Medicare? Ask Paul Ryan and his friends in Congress.” As Mitt Romney prepares to name Ryan as his running mate, Democrats eager to pounce on the newly created Republican ticket are almost certainly preparing similar — if not quite so drastic — attacks against Ryan’s controversial budget plan.

Mitt Romney stumbles in running mate announcement–Boston Herald // AP

NORFOLK, Va. — With the political world watching, Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney misspoke while introducing his running mate. Romney mistakenly introduced Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan on Saturday as the next president of the United States. Ryan, of course, has been tapped to serve as Romney’s vice presidential nominee.

Local Republicans, Dems split on Ryan choice –Philadelphia Inquirer // Jonathan Tamari and Joelle Farrell

Local Republicans hailed Paul Ryan’s budget expertise and vision Saturday even as Democrats pounced on his nomination, attempting to tie the region’s GOP Congressional candidates to Ryan’s proposals for sweeping changes to Medicare and Medicaid, the health programs for senior citizens and the poor. Republicans said Ryan offers appeal on the critical financial issues at the center of the presidential campaign, while Democrats see him as a target, arguing that his plans to cut the deficit would inordinately hit average voters.

Paul Ryan draws mixed reviews in N.C.–Charlotte Observer // Tim Funk and April Bethea

Republican Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate drew both praise and criticism in this battleground state on Saturday, though it was too soon to tell what lingering impact the pick could have when N.C. voters head to the polls this fall. Ryan is expected to join Romney at a previously announced appearance Sunday morning at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville. The stop is one of three in the Romney campaign’s bus tour of the Tar Heel State. Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory called Ryan “an outstanding pick” and lauded the Wisconsin congressman’s “incredible intellect.” But McCrory declined to comment on Ryan’s controversial budget plan, which would slash federal spending and remake Medicare by introducing a private option.

FACT CHECK: Questionable claims in veep debut–AP (Raleigh News and Observer)

In his debut as Mitt Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan promised “America’s comeback team” won’t duck tough budget issues, although the man standing next to him has kept his head low so far. Romney vowed the duo would “preserve” Medicare, an eye-popping claim considering Ryan wants to transform the program from the ground up. Not all the rhetoric fit neatly with reality or with the record when Romney introduced his Republican vice presidential choice to the nation Saturday. A look at some of the claims by the Wisconsin congressman and Romney, and how they compare with the facts.

Romney rolls dice hard to right with choice of Paul Ryan as running mate–Winston-Salem Journal // Editorial

Mitt Romney’s selection of Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his vice presidential running mate makes ever clearer the line between the two tickets this year. Romney, who was a moderate Republican as Massachusetts governor, has turned to a young, rising star on the far right of his party, a man with a much clearer vision of what he wants to do in office than Romney. The Republican ticket is now the Tea Party’s ticket. Ryan is telegenic, smart and friendly, a happy warrior who will be an earnest bulldog for Romney. Ryan, a veteran congressman, is the House Budget Committee chairman. He provides necessary Washington experience. There is also some speculation that Ryan returns his home state to competitive status. Polls show that President Barack Obama had been extending his lead there in recent weeks, and Romney clearly hopes that Ryan’s ability to speak Midwestern will help there and in both Iowa and Minnesota.