Republican Richard Tisei: 'I don't agree with (Paul Ryan) on every single issue'

Tisei, a congressional candidate, calls the Ryan budget plan a "good starting point for discussion."

Richard Tisei, a Republican running for Congress in Massachusetts 6th Congressional District, released the following statement after Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney chose Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential pick:

"Congressman Ryan, whether one agrees with him on every issue or not, is a serious politician who sees our country's economic problems in clear terms. I don't agree with him - or anyone else - on every single issue. I do believe that it's critical that we have leaders from both parties who aren't in denial about the problems we face and who are determined to resolve them. The days of name-calling need to end. The people expect no less and are entitled to no less. They're also sick to death of politicians who, ignoring the country's peril, spend their days only to make cheap political points.

My opponent, John Tierney, can't say my name without repeating the tired and unbelievable line that I'm an 'extremist.' Most of the voters join me in finding that absurd as well as laughable. What's extreme is ignoring our fiscal peril. That's an unacceptable dereliction of duty. We need problem solvers who look beyond party and who are willing to step up to the plate and lead. I hope to be that Congressman and it is my hope that Congressman Ryan and Mitt Romney will also be such leaders.

Today, you'll hear (yet, again) from John Tierney that I supported the Ryan plan. Ask him for his source, next time you hear it. As a matter of fact, I said that it was a "good starting point for discussion," just as the President's Simpson-Bowles Commission was a good starting point for discussion. Unfortunately, both John Tierney and the President have ignored the Commission and have spent their days making cheap political points in decrying the Ryan plan.

The true danger to our country and to the social programs that we all believe are necessary for those who are truly in need, is that we are lacking political leaders who will candidly discuss the unsustainability of the spending path we are now on. It cannot continue and will ultimately undermine the very social programs that are so essential to the truly needy. I'm serious about addressing these issues. I believe Paul Ryan is, too, just as the President's Commission was."

Ryan, a seven-term congressman and chairman of the House Budget committee, is the author of a controversial budget plan that would cut trillions in federal spending and turn Medicare into a voucher program. Tisei, a former Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader, is running against Tierney, the incumbent Democratic Representative.