Ryan seen as Romney's bridge across GOP spectrum

Brian Bakst and Todd Richmond
 8/11/2012

JANESVILLE, Wis. - Even before Wisconsin sent Paul Ryan to Congress, he was meticulously carving a path that seemed to point only upward.

As a young Capitol Hill staffer, he impressed Republican lawmakers with his hustle and intellectual curiosity. He blended quickly with an elite crop of conservative thinkers. By his 30s, he was a congressman on his way to becoming a GOP name brand with his push-the-edge budget proposals.

Ryan's climb reached new heights Saturday when Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced him as his running mate.

"Mitt's Choice for VP is Paul Ryan," said a phone app Romney's team created to spread the word to supporters. the rest

Text of Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan speeches
The prepared texts of the speeches Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan gave today in Norfolk, Va., as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee introduced his choice for vice president...