Mitt Romney’s running mate paid a visit to the Iowa State Fair today. Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan used his 12-minute speech on The Des Moines Register’s “Soapbox” to outline what he described as the “contrast” between the Romney-Ryan approach to the economy and President Obama’s.
“As you see the president come through on his bus tour, you might ask him the same question that I’m getting asked from people all around America and that is: ‘Where are the jobs, Mr. President?'” Ryan said, to cheers.
As you can hear, there were protesters. Nearly two dozen members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement were on hand to denounce the federal budget plan Ryan drafted as chairman of the House Budget Committee. The protesters shouted questions and phrases like “stop the war” almost from the moment Ryan took the stage.
“You know what, it’s funny because Iowans and Wisconsinites, we like to be respectful of one another and peaceful with one another and listen to one another. These ladies must not be from Iowa or Wisconsin,” Ryan said, to cheers from his supporters in the crowd.
Ryan, who spoke about an hour after President Obama wrapped up a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, jabbed Obama for not scheduling a visit to the Iowa State Fair.
“My guess is the reason President Obama isn’t making it here from Council Bluffs ’cause he only knows left turns,” Ryan said, to cheers.
Ryan told the State Fair crowd he and Romney have a plan for “a stronger middle class.”
“One of the great things about Mitt Romney is this that is a man who actually knows how to create jobs…who knows that if you have a small business, you did build that small business,” Ryan said.
Republicans have been blasting Obama for weeks over the president’s comments that successful business people got help along the way, from government investment in services and infrastructure.
Denise Brooks of Truro says she wasn’t able to hear all of what Ryan said because of the “hecklers” but what she heard she liked.
“He is super, super supportive of Romney, which is great,” Brooks says. “He seemed strong.”
She especially liked Ryan’s economic message. Gary Shaulis of Cedar Falls sees Ryan as a Republican leader for years to come.
“I like the fact that he’s quite young and he’s very good in the delivery of his message and that in eight years he will make a wonderful president of the United States,” Shaulis says.
Ryan is 42 years old. He’s currently serving his seventh term in congress.