Romney chooses Rep. Paul Ryan as VP

Just two weeks before the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney has named Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, 42, as his partner on the ballot.

Romney had promised to introduce his running mate Saturday morning in Norfolk, Va. His mobile app, however, announced the decision earlier, naming Ryan just after 7 a.m. Saturday.

Unlike Romney, Ryan has spent the majority of his career on Capitol Hill, starting as a staff economist for former Rep. Bob Kasten, R-Wisc., and later working as a speech writer and economic analyst.

Reactions to Romney's decision were mixed on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Several political columnists and analysts said Ryan would span the gap between Romney and Tea Party newcomers to the GOP.

What was oddly missing were commentary from fellow Republicans, who several news sources have noted do not seem enthusiastic about Romney's choice.

Ryan's top priorities are to reform Social Security and Medicare, as he has said several times on the campaign trail. Of particular note is Ryan's "Roadmap for
America's Future," which promises to erase the debt by 2063 by taking several dramatic steps to cut government spending.

Ryan's influence stretches throughout the Midwest to Capitol Hill. In addition to serving in his home state, Ryan attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He has served in Congress for 12 years.

—  Mary Kenney