High Noon: Ryan takes the stage

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Seizing the campaign spotlight, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan accepted “the calling of my generation” to help lead the country in tough times Wednesday night and told roaring Republican National Convention delegates and a prime time TV audience that Mitt Romney and he will make the difficult decisions needed to repair the nation’s economy.

“After four years of getting the runaround, America needs a turnaround, and the man for the job is Governor Mitt Romney,” the 42-year-old Wisconsin lawmaker declared in what amounted to a debut on the national stage. However, the nation’s attention was divided: He spoke at a convention dogged by Tropical Storm Isaac, downgraded from a hurricane but still inflicting misery on millions along the nearby northern Gulf Coast.

“We will not duck the tough issues; we will lead,” Ryan said.

His speech was part attack on Democratic President Barack Obama and part spirited testimonial to Romney, all leavened by a loving tribute to Ryan’s own mother, Betty, 78, seated across the hall in a VIP box. “To this day, my mom is a role model,” he said while she beamed and exchanged smiles with one of his children as delegates cheered their approval. Full story.

I caught a little bit of this speech last night. His remarks about what’s on his iPod earned a cheer from my teenager. Did you catch Ryan’s speech?

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