Rep. Gary Miller Touts Endorsement by Ryan, Romney's New Running Mate

Rep. Paul Ryan, newly-named running mate of presumed presidential nominee Mitt Romney, has endorsed Rep. Gary Miller in his race for re-election in the newly-drawn 31st Congressional District that includes Redlands and Loma Linda, Miller's staff announced Monday.

Miller, R-Diamond Bar, is running against state Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, who in a statement on Saturday.

"Congressman Ryan gives his endorsement as the leading Congressional voice on federal deficit reduction and balancing the federal budget," Miller's staff said Monday. Ryan, R-Wisconsin, is Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

"With unemployment still at 8.3 percent, we need senior members in Washington who know how to stand up for small business owners and the jobs they create for millions of Americans," Ryan said in a statement released by Miller's staff. "Gary and I have fought this fight together for 14 years and so I look forward to his reelection. Together we can get America back on track."

The World Bank ranks the U.S. 13th worldwide in "Ease of Starting a New Business," according to Miller's staff. In 2007, the United States was ranked third.

"As classmates, Paul Ryan and I spent 4 years serving together on the House Budget Committee," Miller said. "During those 4 years, we worked together to trim the borrowing and spending binge that has been created in Washington."

Miller and Ryan were both first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 and served their freshman year together in 1999, Miller's staff said. Ryan has donated to Miller's campaign and hosted campaign events for Miller in recent months.

"We share a common goal in ending Washington's reckless fiscal policies and returning economic prosperity through job creation," Miller said. "I am honored to have Paul’s endorsement and his help to get America moving again."

Ryan, 42, was elected to Congress at age 28. His embrace of to balance federal spending have catapulted him to the forefront of the Republican Party.

His plans and ideas, which he has packaged as a "Roadmap for America's Future" and a "Path to Prosperity," include proposals to restructure Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in efforts to rein in federal spending.

Many conservatives have applauded Romney's pick of Ryan, saying he strengthens the Republican campaign to oust President Barack Obama after one term.

Speaking in Durham, N.C., on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden underscored a theme repeated by many pundits in recent days: Ryan's addition to the Romney ticket redefines the November election in clearer terms for voters, and it should highlight the differences between the Democratic and Republican parties.

"The differences couldn't be more clearly laid out through the selection than you're going to hear," Biden told supporters and reporters. "These are stark, stark choices. . . .

"Congressman Ryan has given definition to the vague commitments that Romney's been making," Biden said. "There's definition to it now. It's clear. Congressman Ryan and the Congressional Republicans . . . have already passed in the House what Governor Romney is promising to give the whole nation."

Biden questioned whether a Romney-Ryan White House could offer bold solutions.

"What's gutsy about giving millionaires another tax break, what's gutsy about gutting Medicare, Medicaid, education?" Biden said. "What's gutsy?"

Romney announced Ryan as his running mate early Saturday Aug. 11 via a smartphone app.

A pdf map of the new 31st Congressional District is attached to this report.

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