Paul Ryan: "We will not duck the tough issues"

Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, joined by his family, from left, Charlie, mother Betty Ryan Douglas, wife Janna, Sam and Liza, waves after his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - In a rousing speech at day two of the Republican National Convention, vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan on Wednesday formally accepted his spot on the ticket, calling on voters to give America a "turnaround" - and pledging that if elected to the White House, he and Mitt Romney will not "duck the tough issues" but "take responsibility" for the nation's future.

The Wisconsin congressman, speaking before a fervent crowd, lambasted President Obama for "shifting blame" and "throwing away money" before speaking earnestly about the need to face the nation's tough issues through "good-faith reforms and solutions."

"I'm the newcomer to the campaign, so let me share a first impression. I have never seen opponents so silent about their record, and so desperate to keep their power," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, these past four years we have suffered no shortage of words in the White House. What's missing is leadership in the White House. And the story that Barack Obama does tell, forever shifting blame to the last administration, is getting old. The man assumed office almost four years ago - isn't it about time he assumed responsibility?"

Watch Paul Ryan's full speech at the Republican National Convention below:

Additional convention speeches:
Rand Paul: Obama is "uniquely unqualified" to lead
Rice: "An election of consequence"
Ann Romney: "You can trust Mitt"
Paul Ryan: "We will not duck the tough issues"

CBS News complete convention coverage

After launching into an attack of Mr. Obama's health care plan, Ryan's speech was interrupted by a protestor, who shouted "my body, my choice!" and held up a bright pink sign reading "VAGINA" before being escorted by security.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker watches Paul Ryan's convention address.

/ CBS News

Despite the disruption, Ryan pivoted confidently on to address his vision for America: Touting his "heartland" roots and middle-class upbringing, the seven-term congressman emphasized his mother's own struggles as his source of commitment to the middle class, wiping a tear from his eye as he paid her tribute. (Ryan was not the only man in the room to cry on Wednesday; Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was also spotted shedding a tear.) 

"Behind every small business, there's a story worth knowing," he said. "A lot of heart goes into each one. And if small businesspeople say they made it on their own, all they are saying is that nobody else worked seven days a week in their place."

Hitting on a Republican refrain that's become ubiquitous in recent weeks, he added: "Yes, you did build that."

Defending his controversial Medicare overhaul, which would transform the nation's popular entitlement system into a voucher system, Ryan embraced impending debate over the issue.

"In this election, on this issue, the usual posturing on the left isn't going to work. Mitt Romney and I know the difference between protecting a program, and raiding it," he argued. "Ladies and gentlemen, our nation needs this debate. We want this debate. We will win this debate."

(Watch: The 2012 Republican presidential primary, in four minutes.)

Despite the obvious distinctions between himself and Romney - Ryan pointed out their differences in faith, career paths, and taste in music - the vice presidential hopeful stressed commonalities in "the things that matter."

"A generation apart," he said. "That makes us different, but not in any of the things that matter."

"The right that makes all the difference now, is the right to choose our own leaders. And you are entitled to the clearest possible choice, because the time for choosing is drawing near," he said. "So here is our pledge. We will not duck the tough issues, we will lead. We will not spend four years blaming others, we will take responsibility.

We will not try to replace our founding principles, we will reapply our founding principles."

"The work ahead will be hard," he added. "These times demand the best of us - all of us, but we can do this. Together, we can do this."

[marychgo]

Trying again...for the THIRD time! One poster responded, the first time, to these four "tough issues" with standard Republican faith-based dogma about regulations and privatization. No one responded the second time.

If you REALLY believe the GOP has answers to "tough issues," WHAT are the Republicans' answers to THESE issues:

Okay, Rep. Ryan, here are a few "tough issues" for you to tackle:

(1) Tax cuts for the richest Americans and deregulation DIDN'T produce good jobs or solid economic growth in the '80s, '90s, or '00s. Why WILL they produce these positive outcomes THIS TIME?

(2) You and Gov. Romney want to "reform" the tax code by closing loopholes and lowering rates. WHICH specific exemptions, tax credits, and deductions do you plan to eliminate...and WHY? WHICH specific exemptions, tax credits, and deductions do you plan NOT to eliminate...and WHY?

(3) Your proposal to "reform" Medicare relies heavily on the "power of the competitive market" to restrain growth in Medicare costs once Americans now under age 55 receive "vouchers" and can shop for their coverage from various insurance companies. American businesses have been purchasing coverage for their employees in exactly that sort of "competitive market" for the past 60 years, and the "power of the competitive market" has NOT restrained health care cost inflation in that market. Why will your Medicare "reform" be any different?

(4) You were one of the loudest supporters of George W. Bush's unssuccessful attempt to partially "privatize" Social Security. Can you assure middle-aged Americans that you and Gov. Romney will NOT seek to "privatize" Social Security if you are elected? If not, how DO you and Gov. Romney plan to extend Social Security's full-funding status beyond 2038?

I have a lot of other "tough issues" to ask about, but that will do for a start....

[TimeToEvolve]

It's a rare day when the media takes a break from he said / she said journalism to point out that Republicans are just flat-out lying. However, Paul Ryan was so blatantly and repeatedly dishonest in his speech last night that dozens of major media outlets spent the day slamming him.

[TimeToEvolve]

Lyin' Ryan is a lying piece of crap. I wouldn't trust this pathetic failed Republicon dweeb to take out my garbage.

[TimeToEvolve]

Unfortunately Paul Ryan is one of the leaders of the Congress that has an approval rating of 12%. His party is the one that brought us to the brink of disaster and now they want to give them the keys back. Ridiculous!

[TimeToEvolve]

We will not duck the issues of how we will be able to take all the money from the poor and middle class to give to the rich. I know it will be hard to do this while still having the stupid people vote for us and that is why it is an issue. And that is why we will not duck from it because that is all we really care about. That is what America and Americans are for, to serve us Republicons and our corporate masters.

[sjc_1]

excellent

[nonameindependent]

You can say Vatican instead of Republican. the Vatican has taken over the r party. Look at the religion of all the R pres candidates. All C, except Romney, and he is a wannabe C.

[RollotheNorman]

Again, like I asked about 700 posts back, why would Ryan worry about ducking issues when he and Willard simply lie like a rug about them?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33666_162-57503142/fact-check-ryan-takes-factual-shortcuts-in-speech/?tag=mncol;lst;3

RepubliCONs: Lyingest party in the land.

[TimeToEvolve]

Vote against your own jobs and wealth. Vote against your homes and small business and kid's future. Vote for more war, tax cuts for the rich and for an end to Social Security as we know it. Vote for Robbed Me. Vote against yourself, vote Republicon.

[sjc_1]

That is what propaganda is, to convince people that what is bad for them is good for them. The GOP and NAZIs are and were propaganda artists.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Gotta head out in about 10 minutes. Getting ready, but I will check back in a few before I leave.

Empire - try to condense your questions in that time, if you can!

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by EmpireGeorge______-- August 30, 2012 4:42 PM EDT
Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals, were you ever stationed in Germany ? I remember you mentioning that to Dancing.

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Yes, Empire! And I was the *only* person stationed in Germany who did two tours in Vietnam!

<rolling eyes>

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Nope. Let's see if you can get the name of the location of my post correct!

Hint: I wasn't Armored Cav.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Not even CLOSE to Stuttgart, Empire.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by TaxJoke August 30, 2012 4:37 PM EDT
Ok Dancing - I see what you are saying, my point is what Obama said is he beleives that we should cap wages

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REALLY? Wow. Even when the tax rates were 90%, at least SOMETHING made it through. Was he talking public sector only, or mostly referring to private sector???

Don't know how I hadn't heard that, but.... wow.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by Dancing-in-the-Streets August 30, 2012 4:39 PM EDT
Put it in context Joke.
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So there was something left out, there?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Where did he say anything about capping wages, Joke?

Perhaps you meant to post some other comment?