Romney names Ryan as VP running mate

NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney Saturday introduced Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.

"Today we take a step forward ... with my announcement of Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as my running mate," said Romney in front of the decommissioned battleship USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Va.

"Paul and I are beginning a journey that will take us to every corner of America," said Romney. "We offer our commitment to create 12 million new jobs and bring prosperity to every American family."

As the crowd waved small American flags, Romney then introduced Ryan as "the next president of the United States" but quickly returned to the podium to correct his flub.

"Every now and then I've been known to make a mistake," he said, "but I didn't with this guy. He's going to be the next vice president of the United States."

Ryan, the pro-business author of a budget plan that would curb spending on programs like Medicare, pledged the economy would make a comeback under a Romney administration, praising Romney as a leader with the background and skills to lead this country. "Gov. Romney is the man for this moment. He and I share one commitment, we will restore the greatness of this country.

"I've been asked by Gov. Romney to serve the country I love," he said. "His leadership begins with character and values."

Ryan pledged a campaign against debt, doubt and despair as the presumptive ticket begins its campaign on a four-day, four-state bus tour of Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio.

Ryan, 42, a fiscal conservative, is the House Budget Committee chairman who called for reducing the federal deficit almost entirely through spending cuts. His name had been bandied about as being on Romney's short list of possible running mates, along with that of U.S. Sen. Rob. Portman of Ohio and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The party sources said Romney called Pawlenty and Portman Friday night to thank them for their support.

A Marquette Law School Poll released Wednesday showed President Barack Obama leading Romney 50 percent to 45 percent in Wisconsin.