Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick: Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan
At an early morning event in Virginia, Romney introduces Paul Ryan as his running mate, in what is seen as a risky but bold move that could shake up the presidential campaign

The video: In Norfolk, Va., on Saturday morning, just over two weeks before the Republican National Convention, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced his running mate, introducing Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), in a slip of the tongue, as the "next president of the United States." (Watch Romney speak below.) With the U.S.S. Wisconsin, a "hulking battleship," as his backdrop, Romney quickly corrected himself, saying, "Every now and then I'm known to make a mistake." He went on to tout seven-term congressman Ryan, 42, as "an intellectual leader of the Republican party" and an individual whose character everyone can "respect." Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman — whose controversial budget plan calls for slashing spending by $5 trillion over a decade, while cutting taxes and slowly replacing Medicare — said he was "thrilled to be a part of America's comeback team." Immediately launching into an attack against President Obama's "failed leadership," Ryan said that "the hopes of our country... are growing dim, and they need someone to revive them."
The reaction: The Obama campaign pounced on the Ryan announcement, arguing that Romney's choice shows his commitment to "budget-busting tax cuts" for the wealthy and "greater burdens" on the middle class and seniors. But to conservatives, Ryan is seen as "a fiscally conservative crusader," says Jonathan Lemire at the New York Daily News, "and his selection could be viewed as an olive branch to the party's right-wing — including the Tea Party — who never fully warmed up to Romney," even if it does little to "silence the calls that [Romney] is an elitist." Ryan will undoubtedly "bring reluctant conservatives into the fold," says Rachael Larimore at Slate. What's most promising about Ryan is that while his "voting record definitely makes him a social conservative," he also "acts like he has no time for social issues because the economy is a more pressing matter." It was quite a relief "to watch him get through his speech without any nod to 'family values.'" Ryan is a "stunning, terrible choice," says Michael Tomasky at The Daily Beast, that shows that Romney will be running an "ultraconservative campaign" and is "owned by the right wing." And since Ryan has actual ideas, the policy-challenged Romney will be overshadowed by him. In a sense, Romney just became the "ticket's No. 2." Watch Romney introduce Ryan:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Do smartphone bans in schools work?
The Explainer Trials in UK, New Zealand, France and the US found prohibition may be only part of the solution
-
Doom: The Dark Ages – an 'exhilarating' prequel
The Week Recommends Legendary shooter adds new combat options from timed parries to melee attacks and a 'particularly satisfying' shield charge
-
7 US cities to explore on a microtrip
The Week Recommends Not enough vacation days? No problem.
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy