Waukesha, Wisconsin (CNN) – The Republican presidential ticket capped off a whirlwind swing-state tour with an emotional outdoor rally Sunday night in Wisconsin.
Supporters in Rep. Paul Ryan's home state gave their native son a hero's welcome, prompting the vice presidential candidate to wipe away tears and let loose a stream of local references that delighted his audience.
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"My veins run with cheese, bratwurst, and a little Spotted Cow, Leiney's and some Millers," he proclaimed, listing off Wisconsin-made beers to audience laughter.
Standing alongside Romney, who has been criticized for lacking a common-man approach, Ryan continued: "I was raised on the Packers, Badgers, Bucks and Brewers. I like to hunt here, I like to fish here, I like to snowmobile here. I even think ice fishing is - interesting."
The campaign said multiple thousands of people attended the outdoor event, where sophisticated camera equipment suggested the two men's appearance could make its way into a future commercial.
Romney - who said he and his wife Ann also choked up to see the support for Ryan - seemed to feed off the energy of the audience.
When a protester disrupted the event, Romney thundered back in response.
"You see young man, this group here is respectful of other people's right to be heard," Romney said as the audience chanted "U.S.A." in his support. "And you ought to find yourself a different place to be disruptive, because here we believe in listening to people with dignity and respect."
Romney continued his escalating attacks against President Barack Obama's re-election effort.
"There's no question if you follow the campaign of Barack Obama, he's going to do everything in his power to make this the lowest, meanest, negative campaign in history," Romney said. "We're not going to let that happen. This is going to be a campaign about ideas, the future of America. This is a campaign about greatness, about America's future for your children, for the world."
"Mr. President, take your campaign out of the gutter and talk about the real issues that America faces," Romney declared.
After the event, Ryan and Romney were slated to campaign separately. Ryan will visit the Iowa State Fair Monday while Romney will continue his bus tour in Florida.
In a conversation on their campaign bus before the rally, Romney and Ryan appeared to feel the first pangs of separation anxiety.
"Do we ever get a chance to campaign together or is that like, we've now experienced that...?" Romney asked.
Ryan responded laughingly: "Does that ever happen again?"
"Do I get to see him until the inauguration?" Romney chuckled in return.
CNN Political Producer Shawna Shepherd contributed to this report.
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"There's no question if you follow the campaign of Barack Obama, he's going to do everything in his power to make this the lowest, meanest, negative campaign in history," Romney said.
Amen to that!
R&R 2012 and beyond!
Ryan is apparently wealthy by way of a wealthy father ... and his real life experince is being a Capitol Hill staffer. Tell me again what makes this guy qualified to potentially be Presidnet of the United States?
Jeez CNN are you a news outfit or PR firm ? It's like Mitt Romney and Ryan paid for 48 hours of coverage, thanks for joining the ranks of Fox news
In a conversation on their campaign bus before the rally, Romney and Ryan appeared to feel the first pangs of separation anxiety:
"Do we ever get a chance to campaign together or is that like, we've now experienced that?" Romney asked.
Ryan responded laughingly: "Does that ever happen again?"
"Do I get to see him until the inauguration?" Romney chuckled in return.
----------------------------------
What has happened to America that these two men are even remotely considered to be "electable" candidates for the two highest offices in America? In years past, both of them would have long ago been laughed off the stage never to return to politics. Hundreds of millions of lives depend upon our government and it's elected officials, and THIS is ALL the GOP can come up with as worthy candidates?
Obama/Biden 2012-2016
Maybe he will have a bigger homecoming after they lose in November, drawn down by the fact that the Ryan budget is a disaster for everyone but the superrich. Tax cuts for the rich, paid for by the poor and middle class. 11 years of Bush tax cuts have shown that they didn't produce a single jobs so like an idiot in a casino, we are supposed to double down. Romney's tax rate would fall from the measily 13% to 0.82$ on $21 million. That's pocket change for him or the rounding error on his last dinner out.
Romney should know about low dirty campaigns because that is what he did in the Republican primary. I guess there shouldn't be any home for a higher standard for the campign.
In my entire 11 presidential campaigns experienced, I've never seen a more lovely VP candidate as Paul Ryan. He, with Mitt Romney, represents a great relief in worrying about sustaining this mighty country of ours. It's my hope that CNN will continue your fairness to both parties as the campaigns progress. To the Obama campaign I'd say to cancel any and all ads that smack of untrue accusations and inuendos such as the one where the man blames Romney for his wife's untimely death. That only diminishes his voter appeal. Any lay off Ryan as the Medicare slayer. That only reminds us oldsters of the $500Billion slashed by Obamacare. We'd rather have Medicare looked at than go down the drain in indebtedness. Think about that.
I think Ryan is going to state on course; his own course, however, Romney is going to flip and flop to stay on Ryan's course.
Regarding the last sentence of the article: Yes, when you both attend Obama's re-inauguration , you can hold hands and cry again together.
10,000 people,what a great day, move over O and M ,here we come!
R&R 2012
Ultimately it simply comes down to this – what is the ideal society? Is it one where everyone is essentially forced to be at the same standard of living – or is it one where there are different standards of living, including abject poverty and unthinkable wealth. If you want the former – vote for the Democratic Party – if you want the latter – vote for the Republican Party. If after working you say, "this is mine" – vote for Romney/Ryan. If after working you say, "this is ours" – vote for Obama/Biden."
listen with dignity and respect, I like the sound of that
A campaign of ideas would be welcome, since so little has been heard from either campaign of what they plan to do.
Ryan Cries because he sees what he and Romney will put a end in medicare, student loan, also how their will give more tax cut for the top 1% wealthier in America. Ryan just say: sorry middle class
May the best Men win the presidential race and may the Force be with you, Sir Ryan and Senor Romney. But, dont underestimate Mr. Charming Obama and Sir Biden as they will fight to the end. God Bless the USA.
Just another stunt that these republicans are up to! Making everyone feel bad for this guy Ryan...I feel bad for him that that team is going to lose! haha
The protester was staged I was there I could not believe what I was seeing sad day in politics .
Paul Ryan wants to kill Medicare and Social Security and lower taxes for the rich(capital gains) to zero.
Robbing from the old and the sick to give to the super rich.
As a Middle Class person I more than welcome Rep Paul Ryan into the race for the Vice President position. Let's look at just how well President B. H. Obama and VP Biden have protected the Middle Class and the American People in their 3 1/2 years in office:
Record declines in Property Value – The Back Bone of Middle Class Security has fallen 25 – 30% since Obama took over
100 Million American, 1/3rd of our ENTIRE POPULATION derive their entire income from Government Unemployment Payments, Food Stamps, and Welfare Assistance. With 4 more years,. 50% of America will live off Tax Payers.
More Amercians are living in PROVERTY than at any time in the HISTORY of the USA
Obama Bailed out GM, and GM just post a HUGE 2nd Quarter 2012 LOSS, little reported by the Media.
In California, 4 -5 MAJOR cities have declared Bankruptcy under Democrat controlled Legislature and Governorship
A Huge Medical Law has been signed, and even Nancy Pelosi said, you'll have to pass it, to know what's in it!
America, you have the Worlds Best Healthcare System turned into something a Democrat Congress passed NOT EVEN KNOWING WHAT WAS IN THE BILL!!
Social Security is nearly BANKRUPT!
Wake UP to Obama's Deceit~ Before it is too LATE!
Ryan is ambitious and doesn't care about the middle class. His
sights are set much higher.
Ryan wants to raises taxes on the middle class, cut them for millionaires.
Ryan’s budget would result in 4.1 million lost jobs in 2 years.
Ryan has ownership stakes in companies that benefit from oil supports $40 billion in subsides for big oil.
Ryan accused generals of lying about their support for Obama’s military budget.
Ryan wants to eliminate Pell Grants for more more than 1 million students.
Ryan embraces the extreme philosophy of Ayn Rand
Ryan co-sponsored a “personhood” amendment, an extreme anti-abortion measure
Paul Ryan voted for the Iraq war.
He voted for Medicare Part D.
He voted for TARP.
He voted for the Bush Tax Cuts. Twice.
He also voted for the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, HR 5140.
Paul Ryan is not a deficit hawk, and he’s not a “serious budget cutter.” He’s a fake
it's good to have the 1 percenters on your side, like what the repubs have. now they will push Ryan's crocodile tears to the Max. lesson, Ryan rubber stamped all of bush policies, that tank the economy, now all of a sudden hes an angel of light. he constructed Obama in everything he tried for the past 4 years, now he wants to act like he's a compromiser. only if these dems stopped sucking up to the 1 percenters, and stop taking their money to look the other way, the dems would be in better shape. its crazy to see the gullible sucking up to one of the leaders of the most obstructionist congress in this nation's history, when we needed them the most.
This VP pick verifies the republican plan to have the American workers pay the bill for the GOP's wealthy campaign donors. If this doesn't wake up the middle class, they will die a slow agonizing death at the hands of these wealthy republicans.
Please save SS and Medicare, We need them, My sister has MS and is in a nursing home,,There's no way i could take care of her. I'v tried for 2 years.She worked hard for 33 years had a home 401k with sixty two thousand in it, And now has went through all that money for her care in the last 10 years.She is 55,, It could happen to anyone. Thank god we have medicare and her disability to take care of her.
I see Romney wanted to see several years of Ryan's tax returns... why then does America not get to see either of their returns? They want us to trust them as they rape Medicare and Social Security but won't trust us with a look at their tax returns. I'll bet their bosses, the Koch brothers have seen the information.
Ahhh... a homecoming crowd of fearful, bigoted, white Tea Party radicals. It makes Romney want some cheesy grits and feel like visiting his friends who own NASCAR teams.
But where are those tax returns? Two tax cheats now?