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DECISION 2012: Local political leaders react to Vice President selection

Posted: 4:19 PM Aug 11, 2012
Reporter: Courtney Everett

DECISION 2012: Locals react to Vice President selection

(WEAU) - It was an announcement that came as no surprise to Republicans and Democrats.

"Paul Ryan has proven himself to be a gifted individual when it comes the economy and the budget. Unlike President Obama unlike Harry Reid and the democrats in the senate, Paul Ryan has proposed a budget," said Brian Westrate, Eau Claire Co Repulican Party.

While Republicans say Paul Ryan is the bridge between the GOP and the Tea Party, democrats say their disappointed by Romney's selection.

"He's had relatively little experience in Congress and he's had relatively little experience on the state wide level so I think both of those things are going to be weaknesses for him,” said Beverly Wickstrom.

Meanwhile other Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans have opinions on Ryan's proposed budget plan.

"I think this is a good indication that America is ready for big bold ideas that are going to fix our problems that we face as a country, working on balancing our budget, reforming our tax code making sure we get rid of the loopholes," said Republican Sean Duffy of the Wisconsin 7th District in a phone interview.

"This is now a ticket that supports millionaires over Medicare and supports giving more tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas rather than have a real agenda for creating jobs here at home," said Democrat Pat Kreitlow, Wisconsin 7th District candidate in a phone interview.

"When Republicans like Congressman Ryan create a plan, suggest a plan on how we can get beyond it, they'll say we'll that's a terrible idea, but they don't offer anything else," said Westrate.

But Ryan's ideas on Medicare are a problem for Democrats.

"I'm personally very concerned for seniors. What Mr. Ryan has proposed is that we privatize social security and that we scale back Medicare rather dramatically," said Wickstrom.

"With his dynamism and understanding of the economy, they really make a dynamic duo," said Westrate.