Ryan launches ads for congressional race

Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. talks to firefighters in Oak Creek, Wis., Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Morry Gash

(CBS News) OAK CREEK, Wis. - Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is about to run his first political ads of the season, not for the Republican ticket that he shares with Mitt Romney, but for his concurrent reelection bid to the House.

The congressman from Wisconsin's 1st congressional district plans to air ads in the Milwaukee and Madison television markets beginning on Wednesday, the same day he will be in the state campaigning, an aide said. Since he joined the GOP ticket as nominee Mitt Romney's running mate in mid-August, Ryan has chosen to legally remain on the ballot in the congressional race, which is allowed under Wisconsin law. If he and Romney are elected, his seat will be filled in a special election. If they lose the White House race, Ryan could still be elected for an eighth term in the House.

The ads focus "on the critical choice before voters this November and the importance of electing leaders who are capable of advancing solutions that get America back on track," said Kevin Seifert, spokesman for Ryan's congressional bid. Ryan will run other TV, radio and print advertisements between now and the election on Nov. 6.

Campaign 2012: complete coverage

Ryan's aides also shared a poll from a Republican polling firm, Public Opinion Strategies, that shows him leading Democratic opponent Rob Zerban by 25 percentage points and maintaining a favorability rating of 61 percent, which the firm says is unchanged since he became Romney's running mate.

[TJphoto]

In Vegas it's called "Hedging your bets"

[csparish1956]

Oh please, please fellow citizens of Wisconsin! Wise up and kick this guy to the curb. He is SO transparent with his singular agenda, himself. You think he's working for you, I don't see it. Bad enough people stuck their heads in the proverbial cornfields and re-elected Walker. Wisconsin used to be a cutting edge, compassion place to live. What's next? Are u going to ax Badger Care? I see greed and self interest. And a pattern of buying into whoever can spend the most on television advertising. Try watching the HBO documentary "Hot Coffee" and think with your own brain.

[RollotheNorman]

MMMMmmmmmmm. No Confidence huh, Ryan?

[Yeah_Its_Me]

"Hmm... polls aren't looking good for Romney, I better get myself a safety net before my Washington gravy train falls off the tracks! I can't funnel business to my family construction company if I don't have the power of a Congressman to manipulate the system."

[audemus]

ZERBAN FOR CONGRESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AOCGUY]

VOTE FOR ME - er just in case

[AttyFAM]

Hmmm. Ryan hedges his bets. Rather like Christie and Rubio at the Republican Convention, talking themselves up for 2016. Does anyone expect Romney to win?

[AOCGUY]

Apparantly Ryan doesn't. Either that or he doesn't think the people of his home state should have the right to select his successor and instead let the Govrnor pick him. Sleazy either way.

[AOCGUY]

OK I missed the special election part, so now he wants to saddle the people of Wisc with the bill for a special election. More sleaze.

[sandy 1027]

America needs a civics lesson.All of the attention has been focused on the presidential race, but many of the problems that we have had over the past several years are largely Congress' fault.They control the country's purse strings, write bills, and pass or vote down legislation.Neither party has all of the right answers.Up until now, we have had thoughtful, principled people from both parties who have gone to Washington with the understanding that they would have to compromise at some point for the government to function, and America to prosper.This system has also worked well because neither side gets everything that it wants.While this usually angers those on the far right or far left of the parties, it usually makes for good, sensible legislation that reflects the will of most of the public-or at least something that everyone can live with.Something has gone very wrong, and we now have people who take the warped position that they would rather let the government and the country go under than compromise.Some candidates are proudly making this proclamation before the election.The public needs to exercise its civic duty, and keep these people out( or kick them out) for the sake of the country.If we don't rid ourselves of the obstructionists, America will suffer.

[csparish1956]

Intelligent post, I agree. I think, due to the Supreme Court decision to allow Super Pak's, we're now watching the very rich buy our government. I don't think ANY political ads should be allowed to run if they aren't personally endorsed by the candidate. Most of the drivel is lies and exaggerations, and the American people are swallowing it. It's grass roots time, time to take our country back.

[jmn122736]

At first I was thinking that the reason for the ads was because he was afraid he and Romney were going to lose to Obama, but then I read about the 25 point lead he has over his democratic opponent for his house seat.

This doesn't pass the logic test. A 25 point lead this close to election day would appear to be a sure win, so why spend money unnecessarily on a contest he has already won? Won't this just add millions to Montana's expenses for a special election?

[GoUnion86]

I'm Paul Ryan and I approve this lie.

[Yeah_Its_Me]

Ha ha ha ha ha!!! It's funny because it's true!