Ryan admits to requesting stimulus cash

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan has admitted he requested stimulus cash after repeated denials and sharply criticizing the program.

As recently as Wednesday, Ryan, R-Wis., told WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, he never asked for stimulus money.

"I never asked for stimulus," he said. "I don't recall ... so I really can't comment on it. I opposed the stimulus because it doesn't work. It didn't work."

The Wall Street Journal obtained letters in early 2010 written by the Wisconsin congressman requesting stimulus funds for two energy conservation projects in his home state. In one letter, Ryan said the money would help create jobs and reduce "energy consumption" in the state.

"The Olympics may be over but Paul Ryan could have gotten a gold medal in hypocrisy," a senior Obama administration official told ABC News. "As someone who spends all day every day railing against government spending, but then secretly seeks millions in funds for pet projects, he is as Washington as it gets."

Ryan responded to the letters in a statement Thursday.

"After having these letters called to my attention I checked into them, and they were treated as constituent service requests in the same way matters involving Social Security or Veterans Affairs are handled," he said. "This is why I didn't recall the letters earlier. But they should have been handled differently, and I take responsibility for that."