Paul Ryan Makes Fairfax County Appearance

An ebullient crowd greeted vice presidential candidate Rep. at  on Friday. As a who's who of state and local Republicans preceded Ryan in decrying what they termed failed policies, the audience continually vocalized their support.

"This administration [Obama's] has the worst record of any in history regarding human rights and religious freedom," said Congressman (R-10th), who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. He spoke specifically about religious persecution in China and genocide in Darfur, saying the Obama administration has turned a blind eye to the issues.

"China is an economic issue; they are stealing our jobs," said Wolf. "We need an administration that will stand up to China, and advocate for the American worker," he said to loud cheers from the audience.

Artur Davis, a co-chair of President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, was on hand. The former four-term Democratic congressman from Alabama changed parties in May. He praised Ryan for working to advance a House GOP budget which included unpopular cuts in hopes of reducing the federal debt.

Virginia Attorney General called Ryan, "a man of integrity, honesty, forthrightness and backbone, all of which are needed in Washington."

As Cuccinelli introduced "the next vice president of the United States," there was a roar of cheers and applause.

"Do we want to stay on the path President Obama has us on, taking us deeper in debt, further in doubt and downward in decline?" Ryan asked the audience. "No," was the booming response.

Ryan said the Republican ticket is offering the choice to "get back on the path to prosperity."

"There are no two ways about it — President Obama inherited a tough situation," said Ryan.  "But he has made it worse. He has run out of ideas."

"President Obama raided Medicare to pay for 'Obamacare,'" said Ryan. "We want this debate, we need this debate, and we are going to win this debate on Medicare."  

At this point in Ryan's address, a man in the bleachers to Ryan's left stood up and yelled, "Why did you lie about [inaudible].  He then held up and tore a Romney-Ryan campaign sign and gave the candidate a thumbs-down, as police rushed to escort him from the high school gymnasium.

"If we get back to work, build our defense and leave our children a debt-free nation, we will look back on this as the time America got back on track," said Ryan.

Ryan also discussed:

1. Finding and using all energy sources available in the United States, including nuclear, natural gas, oil, renewable sources and coal.
2. "Making more things in America, growing more things in America, and selling them overseas."
3. "We've got to stop spending money we don't have."

"I've served with three presidents," said Ryan, who was first elected to Congress in 1998. "The partisanship is now the worst it has ever been."

Clare Murphy, a teacher at Cameron Elementary School in Alexandria, was pleased with the rally. "I think they [Ryan and Romney] are speaking clearly addressing the issues head on," she said. 

For more on this story, see:

Live Updates: Paul Ryan Visits West Springfield

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