Paul Ryan to America: 'We Will Not Duck the Tough Issues; We Will Lead... Let's Get This Done.

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Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan gave a rousing address at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, saying time is running out to save America from economic ruin. That's the bad news, he says. The good news is, he and Mitt Romney are up to the challenge and ready to lead.

Of course, he had to wait for the applause to die down first, which lasted for a considerable amount of time after his introduction. But the crowd would spend a lot more time on their feet before Ryan was done.

"I accept the calling of my generation to give our children the America that was given to us, with opportunity for the young and security for the old – and I know that we are ready," Ryan began. "Our nominee is sure ready. His whole life prepared him for this moment – to meet serious challenges in a serious way, without excuses and idle words. After four years of getting a run-around, America needs a turnaround, and the man for the job is Governor Mitt Romney."

"I'm a newcomer to this campaign so let me share a first impression, I have never seen a POTUS so silent about their record and so desperate to keep their power. They've run out of ideas," he added.

The vice presidential candidate also told a story about a GM plant in Wisconsin that President Obama promised would be around for another "100 years" if they elected him. Ryan said the plant didn't last another year, saying another Obama term would not be any different than the last four years.

Watch part one of Ryan's speech at the RNC here:

Ryan broke the pattern of most of the RNC speakers so far and attacked President Obama more directly in his speech, blasting the president's policies like the stimulus and Obamacare.

"Obamacare comes to more than two thousand pages of rules, mandates, taxes, fees, and fines that have no place in a free country," Ryan said, prompting applause. "The president has declared that the debate over government-controlled health care is over. That will come as news to the millions of Americans who will elect Mitt Romney so we can repeal Obamacare."

He also said the Obama campaign is "surviving on slogans" and trying to sail on "yesterday's wind."

Earlier in the speech Ryan joked that Obama was throwing away money with all of his attack ads because the American people aren't buying what he's selling, but added that Obama is "pretty experienced at" throwing away money.

"What is missing is leadership in the White House," Ryan added. "And the story that Barack Obama does sell, shifting blame to the previous administration is getting old... Isn't it about time he assumed responsibility?"

While he says the Obama administration is "out of ideas," Ryan argued that he and Romney can start solving the nation's economic problems with "the goal of generating 12 million new jobs over the next four years."

"My Dad used to say to me: 'Son. You have a choice: You can be part of the problem, or you can be part of the solution.' The present administration has made its choices. And Mitt Romney and I have made ours: Before the math and the momentum overwhelm us all, we are going to solve this nation’s economic problems," he said. "And I’m going to level with you, we don’t have that much time. But if we are serious, and smart, and we lead, we can do this."

Ryan told his audience that Obama's vision for America isn't the right one, and that college graduates shouldn't be forced to live in their "childhood bedrooms" staring at "fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life."

Of Romney, Ryan said, "he helped start business and turn failing ones around, and by the way, being successful in business, that's a good thing," resulting in a standing ovation.

Ryan told his audience that the road ahead would be a tough one, but assured millions of Americans watching that the country can still be turned around.

"The right that makes all the difference now is the right to choose our own leaders. You are entitled to the clearest possible choice because the time for choosing is drawing near. So here is our pledge," Ryan said. "We will not duck the tough issues – we will lead. We will not spend four years blaming others – we will take responsibility. We will not try to replace our founding principles, we will reapply our founding principles. The work ahead will be hard. These times demand the best of us – all of us, but we can do this. Together, we can do this."

"Let's come together for the sake of our country," he concluded. "Let's get this done."

With his final words, the crowd erupted. One PBS announcer said it was the loudest he had heard the GOP convention so far.

Buzzfeed reporter Zeke Miller tweeted Wednesday night: "@PaulRyanVP breaks last night's Tweets-per-minute peak set by @AnnDRomney. Nearing 6,500 TPM when discussing his faith."

Watch Part two of Ryan's address at the GOP convention:

Part three:

Related:

• Ryan's RNC Address Moves Gov. Scott Walker to Tears
• Paul Ryan: ‘College Graduates Should Not Have to Live Out Their 20s in Their Childhood Bedrooms, Staring Up at Fading Obama Posters’