VP pick Ryan brings long record to dissect

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:08 PM

Story Updated: Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:08 PM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Congressman Paul Ryan's record runs much deeper than his signature budget and Medicare ideas that delight conservatives and alarm many Democrats.

The Wisconsin lawmaker who is Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate is against abortion rights. The outdoorsman has a top rating from gun-rights groups. And he supported sending troops to the wars.
But, in conflict with fellow Republicans, Ryan's also opposed attempts to weaken wage laws that labor unions closely guard. And he backed the auto industry and bank bailouts that the party's right flank now opposes, votes that put him cross-ways with Romney.
Ryan's 14 years in Congress leave a trail of votes for Democrats to dissect, a process that began as Romney announced the pairing Saturday.