This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

VP Pick Talks About Family, Vision

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan accepts Republican nomination for vice president in a speech Wednesday night to thousands at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

At approximately 10:30 pm on Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Times Forum erupted when Wisconsin Congressman -- and Governor Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential pick -- Paul Ryan came out on center stage.

Having walked down to the podium area earlier in the day, I can attest that the stage is as big as it gets for a political speech. Outside of the Inaugural Address and the State of the Union Address, the National Convention speeches for the Presidential ticket are very demanding. 

Ryan, who has been a Congressman for 14 years, looked comfortable with moment, and even more comfortable bashing President Obama's record. He spoke about a nearly 16 trillion dollar debt and its impact on future generations of Americans. Ryan, who by most accounts is much more philosophical than Gov. Romney, spoke to the vast audience about the power of free markets, economic freedom, and the dangers of slipping into a collective malaise. 

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

My favorite line of Ryan's VP Acceptance Speech was a reference to our nation's poor job market for college graduates, and it received the biggest applause from the audience. The line went as follows, "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". 

Ryan's sentiments are a main reason why I decided to run for the Rhode Island General Assembly this fall. When most of my friends who recently graduated from college are either living at home with no job prospects or packing up and leaving the state, things need to change immediately.

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tonight, Gov. Mitt Romney will accept the Republican nomination for President of the United States at approximately 10 pm.

Stay Tuned, Peter Costa, Jr.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?