Indiana reacts to Romney VP pick

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) -  Local GOP congressmen are praising Romney's choice in Paul Ryan as a VP.

GOP Indiana congressmen sent out words of approval Saturday for the Wisconsin representative.

Republican Indiana congressman Todd Rokita says he knows Ryan well.

“He is going to be a great assistant to Mitt as he changes the fiscal direction of this country,” said Rep. Rokita.

Rokita serves on the house budget committee with Ryan, and describes him as a friend, saying ”Paul Ryan is a man of integrity; he is very honest. He is very forthright and direct. We need that kind of attitude now in this nation. This time of the typical politician is over: today was a big turning point in that.”

Rokita says spends more time with Ryan than just in committee and on the floor.

“I work out with him nearly every morning when I’m in DC. He kicks my butt,” he adds jokingly.

Rokita also described Ryan's addition to Romney's campaign as not only someone to start the conversation about the nation's debt and economic standing, but he says Hoosiers will like where he stands.

“Paul being from the Midwest, and Indiana being a part of the Midwest, you’re going to see a lot of Indiana values, and Indiana ideas in this campaign now,” said Rokita.

Indiana democrats also responded to the VP decision. The Indiana Democratic Party sent out an email reading in part, Romney has chosen a leader “who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy.”

Keith Clock, Hamilton County Democratic Chair, said, “It’s not surprising. They both buy into the same flawed economic theory.”

Recent national polls and surveys have indicated a narrow advantage for Obama.

Now Romney and Ryan will set out on a long-planned bus tour through four states.