Obama welcomes "decent," "ideological" Ryan to race
In his first public remarks since Mitt Romney's vice president announcement, President Obama welcomed Paul Ryan to the race, calling the Republican Congressman a "decent man" he "fundamentally" disagrees with.
"I want to congratulate Congressman Ryan," Mr. Obama said at a fundraiser on Sunday in his hometown of Chicago. The crowd of supporters expressed dissatisfaction at the mention of Ryan, but the president quieted the boos, calling Ryan a "family man."
"I know him. I welcome him to the race."
Mr. Obama characterized Ryan, best known on Capitol Hill for his budget plan, as "the ideological leader of Republicans in Congress."
"This kind of top down economics is central to Gov. Romney and is central to his running mate," the president said. "He is an articulate spokesman for Romney's vision, but it's a vision that I fundamentally disagree with."
Earlier Sunday on "Face the Nation," Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter cited Ryan's House budget proposal as indicative of types of cuts Romney would make as president.
"I don't think that the prescription the American people are looking for," Cutter said.
Romney announced he had chosen Ryan as his running mate in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday. Departing the White House following the VP announcement, Mr. Obama ignored reporters' questions regarding his reaction.
