Ellison, Shortridge react to Ryan pick

DFL U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison says he's glad Mitt Romney chose Rep. Paul Ryan over former Gov. Tim Pawlenty as his running mate on the Republican presidential ticket.

Ellison says he thinks the Wisconsin lawmaker is more open about his beliefs, and that allows Democrats to make a clearer argument against the Romney ticket.

"Paul Ryan is much more upfront about what he believes in," Ellison says. "I actually prefer Ryan. I think it allows us to make a clear argument. Pawlenty, he would've tried to emphasize his congeniality and his personality, even though he would've been about the same things."

But state Republican Party chairman Pat Shortridge says the Ryan pick shouldn't be seen as Pawlenty being passed over.

"I don't look at this as an anti-Pawlenty, or anti-Rubio, or anti-Portman or anti-anyone else pick," Shortridge says. "I think it's a pro-Paul Ryan pick. He's the right guy for the right job at the right time."

Shortridge says voters are looking for politicians like Ryan who have real plans to solve the nation's problems.

Pawlenty released a statement saying he's excited about the Romney-Ryan ticket.

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