"I'm excited by Governor Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate. Rep Ryan has shown a seriousness about solving our country's big problems, works to find positive solutions with members of both sides of the aisle, and will be a tremendous asset to the ticket and for getting our country back on the right track." -- Kansas Congressman Kevin Yoder, a Republican from Overland Park.
"Democrats are celebrating because they think Romney has now wrapped himself around the (Ryan) proposal from the Budget Committee. That's going to be on the table. There's no way he can avoid it now." -- Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat.
"This is a strong pick. Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America, and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations." -- former President George W. Bush.
“Paul Ryan brings to Mitt Romney's candidacy a strong commitment to end Medicare as we know it. The disastrous Romney-Ryan plan would take us back to the same failed policies of the Bush years that drove our country into recession and record job losses." -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, chair of the Democratic Governors Association.
"In selecting a bold, innovative thinker, Mitt Romney has ensured that his campaign—and ultimately his administration—will be led by individuals with courage, determination, judgment, and wisdom." -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican.
"Paul Ryan is a right-wing extremist who wants to end Medicare. This is a major unforced error by Mitt Romney. It gives President Obama and Democrats a chance to draw a clear contrast in 2012 by promising not to cut one penny from Medicare or Social Security benefits. If Democrats win in a landslide, this was the game changer." -- Adam Green, co-founder, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a Democratic group.
"Gov. Romney has made the clearest, most unequivocal statement he could make that he intends his campaign and his presidency to be about solving America's greatest challenges." Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican.
“Throughout his career, Paul Ryan has led the conservative fight against reckless government spending, higher taxes and job-killing regulations. The Romney-Ryan vision for a more prosperous and free America will present a clear contrast to the reckless, big-government record of the Obama Administration." -- David Cole, chair, Missouri Republican Party.
"I'm giddy. That's awesome. The budgets he (Ryan) have drafted and overseen basically eliminated Medicare." -- Steve Bough, chair of the Jackson County Democratic Committee.
"Governor Romney and Representative Ryan are the strongest team to return America to prosperity and to defend our interests abroad. Paul Ryan has proven that he is fully prepared to address our nation's economic challenges, which have only worsened over the last four years under the Obama-Biden Administration." -- Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Congressman Ryan’s command of economic policy and the federal budget will prove "invaluable as Governor Romney fights to reform government, accelerate job growth and rein in the out-of-control spending that has been a hallmark of President Obama’s years in office." -- former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
"I think it’ll be hard for a lot of folks looking for the Republicans to move a little more to the middle in the general. It's going to make it a harder decision for some of them.” -- Missouri state Sen. Jolie Justus, a Kansas City Democrat.
