In Iowa, Ryan criticizes Obama on economy

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The newly-chosen Republican vice presidential candidate wasted no time in attacking President Barack Obama's economic stewardship in his first solo campaign event Monday, quickly establishing himself as Mitt Romney's chief attack dog in the campaign to prevent Obama from winning a second term.

It was Rep. Paul Ryan's first day campaigning alone as Romney's running mate, a role he assumed just two days earlier. The 42-year-old seven-term congressman from the Midwestern state of Wisconsin also showed himself to be a lightning rod of sorts, generating huge excitement among conservatives and equally strong disdain from Democrats opposed to his plans to reshape Medicare, the federal health care program for seniors.

Ryan, facing thousands of cheering supporters in the crucial heartland state of Iowa, accused Obama of "spending our children into a diminished future." Ryan faced off with Obama as the president began a three-day tour in Iowa, which will be closely contested in the state-by-state race for the White House.

"As you see the president come through in 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?'" said Ryan, clad in jeans, cowboy boots and a red-and-white checkered shirt.

Ryan is the architect of a polarizing plan approved by Republicans in the House of Representatives that would set up a voucher-like system to let future retirees shop for private health coverage or choose a government plan modeled on the traditional program. Independent budget analysts say that would probably mean higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors. Democrats say it will be the end of Medicare.

While his reception was largely positive, protesters interrupted his brief address at the Iowa State Fair several times. They chanted, "Stop the war on the middle class," and one woman climbed on stage with Ryan before security could drag her away.

"She must not be from Iowa," Ryan said as he tried to focus on his speech.

Later, as he raced through the fairgrounds with a mob of supporters and reporters in tow, one fairgoer shouted, "Do you really wanna cut Medicare?"

Ryan did not respond. In fact, he did not directly address his controversial budget plans at all during his debut in Iowa, a swing state Obama won in 2008.

Ryan declined to address Obama's charge that he was among House Republicans "standing in the way" of legislation designed to help the drought-stricken heartland.

"If you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important this farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities," Obama told a crowd. "We've got to put politics aside when it comes to doing the right thing for rural America and for Iowa."

Ryan said only that he would get into "those policy things later."

The Romney campaign issued a written statement on the issue: "The truth is no one will work harder to defend farmers and ranchers than the Romney-Ryan ticket," Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said. Ryan spokesman Michael Steel later blamed Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid for blocking a farm aid bill endorsed by House Republicans.

However, Romney tried to separate himself from his running mate's budget plan, telling voters in Florida that the Republican ticket wants to "make sure that we preserve and protect Medicare."

Three months from Election Day, polls find Obama with a narrow lead over Romney in a race defined by a weak economy and high unemployment.

Ryan, a favorite of the small-government, low-tax tea party wing of the Republican Party, brings to the Romney campaign an austere message on government spending. He also brings enthusiasm from the party's conservative base, which has only reluctantly backed Romney because of the moderate positions he once took on social issues.

The political spotlight turned to Iowa because both campaigns see opportunity here in their battle for the presidency. Romney finished in a near-tie for first place in the state's Jan. 3 caucuses. Obama carried the state four years ago.

As Romney campaigned in Florida, Ryan worked to connect with Iowans on a personal level. He suggested he was in the presence of "kindred spirits."

"We are united as upper Midwesterners," the native of Wisconsin, a state famous for its dairy industry, declared.

Standing alongside Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Ryan told one fairgoer that he knew how to milk cows.

"We do cow milking contests in Wisconsin," he said.

Later Monday, and a few hours after Ryan's appearance, Obama made an hour-long surprise stop at the Iowa State Fair. He greeted throngs of parents and their children, and later enjoyed a Bud Light beer and a pork chop with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former governor of the state.

A large crowd outside the Bud Tent chanted "four more years," and then some yelled, "Four more beers!"

Holding a beer in a clear plastic cup, Obama said, "It's going to go well with my pork chop."