Vice President Joe Biden telephoned Rep. Paul Ryan on Saturday to congratulate him on his selection as Mitt Romney's running mate and to "welcome him to the race," the Obama campaign announced.
The campaign said Biden "urged Congressman Ryan to enjoy the day with his family, and said he looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November."
Biden and Ryan are set to face off in one debate before Election Day.
As The Hill noted, Biden has previously had kind words for Ryan, calling him “a bright, handsome guy from the state of Wisconsin. He's a fine guy” during a speech in June. The vice president quickly added, “I think his ideas are not nearly as fine as he is a man.”
It's a far different characterization from the "radical" and "extreme" tone the Obama campaign set immediately after Ryan's announcement.
Romney formally introduced the House Budget Committee chairman as his vice presidential pick on Saturday morning. The two were attending campaign events in Virginia throughout the day and embarking on a multi-state bus tour.
