US election: Paul Ryan pledges not to ‘duck tough issues’

The Wisconsin congressman said he and Republican White House nominee Mitt Romney would do everything in their power to fix America’s economy.

“We will not duck the tough issues – we will lead,” Mr Ryan said. “We will not spend four years blaming others – we will take responsibility.

“The work ahead will be hard. These times demand the best of us – all of us – but we can do this.”

He said that a Romney-Ryan administration would create 12 million American jobs in its first term and scrap Obama’s health reforms.

The crowd gave Ryan a standing ovation as he repeatedly attacked Obama and his economic policies.

Everyone who feels stuck in the Obama economy is right to focus on the here and now. You have not failed, your leaders have failed you. -Paul Ryan, US Republican vice-presidential candidate

“College graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life.

“Everyone who feels stuck in the Obama economy is right to focus on the here and now. And I hope you understand this too, if you’re feeling left out or passed by: you have not failed, your leaders have failed you,” he said.

Ryan speech playing to the gallery. Great on tone, low on substance, plenty of hypocrisies. But Ryan is new Conservative super star.

— Matt Frei (@mattfrei) August 30, 2012

Channel 4 News Washington Correspondent Matt Frei says that the Republican party cheered on Ryan as their new star.

The speech aimed to galvanise the party ahead of Romney’s speech to the convention later on Thursday.

Romney’s wife, Ann, has also appealed to female voters in the wake of several controversial statements made by Republican figures on abortion and contraception.