Romney picks Rep. Paul Ryan as VP

WPRI

Updated: Aug 11, 2012 8:40 AM

NORFOLK, Va. (WPRI) -- Mitt Romney has picked his running mate. It's Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan.

The former Massachusetts governor and presumptive Republican nominee for president sent out a message to supporters informing them of the selection Saturday morning saying, ""Mitt's Choice for VP is Paul Ryan."

Ryan, 42, is a seven term representative from Wisconsin, as well as a husband and father of three. He has been a lightning rod for criticism from Democrats, who say his buget proposals to cut back spending on entitlement programs such as Medicare are too extreme.

Many hope Ryan will help bolster Romney's standing with conservatives, many of whom are still skeptical of Romney, who had been labled a "Massachusetts moderate" during the primary contests.

Mitt Romney will formally announce Ryan as his vice presidential canididate at an event in Norfolk, Virginia at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. The announcement kicks off a four day bus tour that will bring the new political duo through some key swing states.

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