Nutter, Pa. Mayors React to Romney's Choice of Paul Ryan for Running Mate

The Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Team issued a release on Sunday featuring statements from three Pennsylvania mayors—Philadelphia's Michael Nutter, Pittsburgh's Luke Ravenstahl and Allentown's Ed Pawlowski—on Mitt Romney's choice of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan as running mate.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter:

"If there was any doubt that Mitt Romney was the wrong choice for people in Philadelphia and cities across this country, today’s pick of Paul Ryan as a running mate makes it crystal clear just how wrong his priorities are.  The Romney Ryan budget is an attack on our most precious resource, the very people who make up the fabric of this country: our parents, our children, our soldiers and our seniors.   

"Paul Ryan is the mastermind behind the extreme Republican budget that would hike middle class taxes, turn Medicare into a voucher system and would severely reduce resources for veterans programs and early childhood education programs. All this would be to fund trillions of dollars of tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

"Mitt Romney has applauded this misguided plan. By choosing Ryan as his running mate, Romney has made it abundantly clear that he will rubber stamp this extreme Republican plan that brings us back to the same failed economic policies of the Bush Administration and leaves the most vulnerable of our citizens  to fend for themselves."

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl:

"While President Obama has worked tirelessly to ensure that all Americans have a fair shot, Mitt Romney’s choice of Congressman Paul Ryan farther cements his out-of-touch vision for America. Romney and Ryan would pass a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans that would be paid for by the middle class. Further, Ryan was the chief architect of a budget that would annihilate America’s investment in education, Medicare and other programs that help residents of Pittsburgh get a fair shot. Simply put, President Obama will continue to take our country forward while Romney and Ryan would be America’s Go Back Team."

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski:

"I find it amazing that Mitt Romney would pick a running mate who has so little respect for seniors that he has proposed eliminating both Medicare and Social Security. We must make seniors aware of his extremist views and let everyone know that President Obama is the best choice not only for seniors but for a more prosperous America."