Mitt Romney names Paul Ryan as VP choice

Paul Ryan may be a conservative rock star, but the Wisconsin congressman isn’t exactly a household name. Here is what you need to know about Romney’s running mate:

Age: 42

Career: Ryan is the author of the House GOP’s deeply ambitious, and controversial, budget overhaul. The congressman, who chairs the poweful House Budget Committee, has represented the southeastern corner of Wisconsin for nearly seven terms.

Family: Ryan and his wife Janna live in his hometown of Janesville, Wis. They have three children - a daughter Liza and two sons, Charlie and Sam.

Pros: The youthful, telegenic congressman is idolized by many fiscal conservatives and has become the GOP’s most influential voice on budget issues.

His selection is expected to energize Republicans and force President Obama’s campaign to step up its defense of the administration’s economic policies.

Cons: Voters, particularly seniors in the key swing state of Florida, may find Ryan’s proposal to radically overhaul Medicare a bitter pill to swallow. Romney will be forced to either embrace his running mate’s sweeping plan or distance himself from some of its more controversial proposals - a tricky political move in either case.

Ryan is also an ultimate Washington insider closely tied to a deeply unpopular Congress.