Paul Ryan has accepted his party's vice-presidential nomination and immediately gone on the offensive against President Barack Obama.

Speaking at the Republican National Convention, the Wisconsin congressman blamed the president for high unemployment and dispirited Americans.

Ryan charged that the nation has been "getting the runaround" for four years and that Mitt Romney is the man the nation needs for a turnaround. Ryan said he and Romney "will not duck the tough issues."

A generation younger than Romney, he emphasized their differences as well as their commitment to tackle the economy. He offered praise of Romney and a brief introduction to his story growing up in Wisconsin. But the thrust of his pitch is that Obama has failed and it is time to replace him with Romney.