Please, thank you, sorry: Ryan a polite campaigner

Associated Press

PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press

Updated: Oct 8, 2012 3:15 AM

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Paul Ryan, a congressman from Wisconsin and Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick, is a model of unassuming, Midwestern courtesy, and that will be on display later this week when Ryan debates Vice President Joe Biden.

With a relaxed and polite style, Ryan easily does what Romney struggles to do: connect with voters on a personal level while engaging in retail politicking.

When the two men campaign together, Ryan's casual attitude and simple tone seem to soften Romney's sometimes awkward stature and bracingly formal approach. It's a dynamic that would probably play out if the pair won the White House. Should they lose the race this year, the ease at which Ryan works a crowd would be an asset is he chose to seek the presidency himself someday.

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