Romney and Ryan introduce each other as 'America's Comeback Team'

NORFOLK, VA - AUGUST 11: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) on August 11, 2012 in Norfolk, Virginia.

/ Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

(CBS News) NORFOLK, Va. - They billed themselves "America's Comeback Team," a complementary combination of business and government experience, privileged CEO and hardscrabble everyman, establishment party leader and young, inspiring thinker.

Presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney and his brand-new running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, introduced themselves to more than 1,000 voters gathered here Saturday morning as men of contrasting backgrounds with the common goal of fixing America. They are also of contrasting ages: at 42, Ryan is the same age as Romney's eldest son Tagg.

Romney made his decision Aug. 1 and offered the job to Ryan on Aug. 5. His campaign announced late Friday night that he would introduce his choice in Norfolk early Saturday. Within a few hours multiple news organizations confirmed that it was Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman who authored the Republican fiscal plan that makes deep cuts to taxes, spending and entitlements.

The pair kicked off the rollout tour at the Nauticus Museum in the swing state of Virginia, each of them extolling the others biography. Romney, who spoke first, tried to humanize the man known mostly for a budget that makes dramatic cuts in federal programs. Ryan lost his father to a heart attack at age 16 and had to grow up fast, Romney said. "He internalized the virtues and hardworking ethic of the Midwest. Paul Ryan works in Washington but his beliefs remain firmly rooted in Janesville, Wis.," Romney said, naming Ryan's hometown.

(Watch: Romney flubbed and called Ryan the "next president of the United States.")

Ryan, for his part, praised Romney's experience leading the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and at the helm of Bain Capital, a part of Romney's biography that Democrats and President Obama have made a cornerstone of their attack strategy. "I'm proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy, someone who knows from experience, that if you have a small business--you did build that," Ryan said, referring to Romney line of attack against President Obama that has resonated with conservatives.

Romney has spent nearly his entire life in the private sector whereas Ryan has held almost exclusively government jobs. The two men highlighted that disparity and argued that it makes them a perfect team in Washington.

"I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney's executive and private sector success outside Washington. I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation," Ryan said.

Both men pledged to work with both parties to improve the economy, with Romney introducing his running mate as a person who rises above personal attacks and believes that "honorable people can have honest differences."

But they clearly sought to head off criticism of Ryan's budget, which makes big changes in Medicare that Democrats paint as a threat to seniors. "We will preserve Medicare and Social Security and keep them there for future generations," Romney said.

Romney and Ryan were joined after their speeches by Ryan's wife and three children, as well as Romney's wife Ann, his son, Matt, and two grandchildren. In an early hint of Romney's choice, their backdrop was the U.S.S. Wisconsin, adorned with red, white and blue bunting.

The area boasts a sizeable population of veterans and active-duty military, but neither Romney nor Ryan is a veteran. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who is a military veteran, was a contender for the No. 2 slot himself. He was onstage Saturday to introduce Romney.

The day wasn't without its mishaps. As Romney called Ryan to the stage, he introduced him as the next president of the United States. President Obama made the same error in 2008 when he introduced then-Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate.

Once Ryan made it to the stage and the pair had waved to the crowd, Romney laughingly said he'd been known to make mistakes. He then correctly introduced the man he hopes will be vice president in the Romney administration.

[Calvinius]

The question is what they want to "come back" to. The answer, of course, is the Gilded Age.

[rayward73446]

As I suspected from Romney it's back to failed trickle down economics for the GOP. The GOP is the reason that nothing has been done to recover the economy, especially the Tea party hacks who preach no compromise, of which Ryan is the worst. The GOP owns all the problems Obama has been trying to correct for the past 3 1/2 years, and he has made some progress in spite of the stone walling that the GOP has created.

The GOP, especially the house, has blocked cyber security bills, job creation bills, needed infrastructure improvements to push their agenda to make Obama seem a failure. They have not been doing the job they were elected to do, instead they have become tied to money machines like the Kochs to further damage the middle class, working Americans and virtually every segment of the population. This is politics at it's worst, and they want to do even more damage in the future, and call it progress. What a load of bull!

[chill602]

They should have put "America's Go Back Team", because that is exactly what they would do. Any body who is in the 99% category is a fool to vote for this Laurel and Hardy Team. These guys represent the rich and only the rich, so don't be fooled for one minute when they say they are for the middle class, right. They feel the same for the middle class as they do for the lower class!!!!

As Daniel M. said in the past, you are entitled to your opinions but you are not entitled to the facts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/opinion/06krugman.html?_r=1

http://zfacts.com/p/gross-national-debt.html

Pass these links to your friends, colleagues and family members.

[0bama2O12]

I don't think it would matter if Romney picked Jesus Christ to be his running mate...it wouldn't help. Just look at President Obama's accomplishments:
1. Cash for clunkers
2. First time home buyers credit
3. Affordable Care Act
4. Obama Student Loan Forgiveness
5. One million undocumented youth granted work permits

[Eco99]

Yep... the team of Have's, Have More's and want to get yet even More on the backs of the middle class. If you are not yet worth 7 figures or make well into the 6 figures be afraid if this duo wins the presidency.

[sueb451]

Well, maybe, Ryan will be the next Republican president. Romney is such a buffoon, how do you screw up that line! By the way, Mr. Romney, your ploy to distract us from your missing tax returns is not going to work, release your tax returns!!!!

[sueb451]

Well, maybe, Ryan will be the next Republican president. Romney is such a buffoon, how do you screw up that line! By the way, Mr. Romney, your ploy to distract us from your missing tax returns is not going to work, release your tax returns!!!!