Norfolk, Va. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney tapped Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his vice presidential running mate for the fall campaign on Saturday, turning to the architect of a conservative and intensely controversial long-term budget plan to remake Medicare and cut trillions in federal spending.
Romney made his announcement to supporters via a phone app.
"Mitt's Choice for VP is Paul Ryan," it said and implored backers to spread the word.
The ticket-mates arranged their first joint appearance later in the morning at a naval museum, first stop of a bus tour through four battleground states in as many days.
In a statement issued Friday night, Romney's campaign said only that the running mate would be present at 9 a.m. EDT at the Nauticus Museum. The USS Wisconsin is berthed there - offering a hint about Ryan's selection.
Ryan's selection - as well as Romney's own nomination - will be ratified by delegates to the Republican National Convention that begins on Aug. 27 in Tampa, Fla.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden will be nominated for a second term at the Democratic convention the following week.
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