Wisconsin Reacts To Ryan's Nomination
HUDSON, Wis. (WCCO) - Mitt Romney is trying to win Wisconsin, which hasn't voted in a Republican Presidential nominee since 1984.
He'll have to do a lot of leg work.
Representative Paul Ryan represents just one of eight congressional districts in Wisconsin.
A recent poll by Marquette University Law School shows 36 percent of Wisconsin people surveyed rate Ryan favorably, compared to 29 percent who rate him unfavorably. While 30 percent say they haven't heard enough about him to have an opinion. 5 percent say they're undecided.
News of the Romney-Ryan ticket has people in Hudson talking. Some like Emily Kennett of New Richmond are proud to call him the V.P. candidate.
"I like Paul Ryan. I went to school over in his district, so I was excited to see that he was picked," said Kennett.
Romney's pick solidified Jim Niedfeldt's vote.
"Very happy. Emotional. I'm a business owner, and just very happy we're going to have two people who understand mathematics in this country," said Niedfeldt.
Jim believes Paul Ryan will attract a large number of voters who are undecided.
"He's going to bring a lot of independents that would probably lean to the left more than the right," he said.
But others think the opposite. Jon Picard, who isn't a fan of Ryan's, says this decision will turn off some independents.
"I think that it solidifies Romney's campaign as far as being really conservative. There's no room for the independents anymore. It's a clear choice between Romney and Obama now - no doubt about it," said Picard.
According to Larry Jacobs, political studies professor at University of Minnesota, the one thing Romney did make clear with his V.P. pick is that a conservative budget will be a top priority for his administration.
"His administration will be pursuing a conservative fiscal policy. He selected one of the most respected and controversial members of congress who is well known for his conservative budget blue print," said Jacobs.
He also added that the addition of Ryan sends a message about what Romney thinks about President Obama's campaign. Namely, Obama will have a harder time getting his supporters to the polls than Romney will with Republicans and conservatives.
