Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin was named as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate. Republicans view him as one of the intellectual lights of the party. Democrats named him as the architect of Social Security and Medicare’s demise. He spent his first moments as the GOP vice presidential candidate under the sun. Paul Ryan

Representative Ryan said that America is in a different, difficult, dangerous moment and Mitt Romney wouldn’t shrink from it. He talked about tough choices that were typical of him. He described President Obama’s record in office as a record of failure whatever the explanations or excuses the incumbent has. He added that there are many like the president in Washington who refused to make difficult decisions because they are more worried about the next election than the next generation.

Ryan is currently the House Budget Committee Chairman. His budget proposals for the last two years were said to be courageous efforts to improve the nation’s fiscal trajectory and a stark contrast to a Senate that has not passed a budget in almost three years.

Romney said that Ryan’s style is two parts earnest and one part policy wonk. He said that Ryan might work in Washington but his beliefs remained rooted in Janesville. The Republican presidential candidate added that Ryan understands that honorable people can have honest differences. Democrats might disagree with Paul Ryan but there’s no one who doesn’t respect his character and judgment.

Ryan said that America’s system of taxing and spending is broken. Politicians from both parties made empty promises and will soon become broken promises. They will have painful consequences if they don’t act soon. He ended his speech by saying that things can turn around as long as real solutions are delivered. All it takes is leadership and the courage to tell the truth.