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Republicans rally behind VP-pick Ryan

ReutersRepublican presidential candidate Mitt Romney introduces U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his vice-presidential running mate.

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Republican leaders took to TV and Twitter Sunday to praise Mitt Romney's selection of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate.

Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee to face President Barack Obama in the Nov. 6 election, announced his pick of Ryan, a seven-term congressman and chairman of the House Budget Committee, on Saturday.

The Republican National Convention at which both are expected to be nominated is just two weeks away,

News of Romney's pick was warmly greeted by many party supporters.

According to the Romney campaign, an additional $3.5 million was raised through online campaign contributions during the first 24 hours following the announcement.

Former presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, who had been rumored to be a leading contender for the vice-presidential slot, said on ABC News's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that Ryan was a "terrific pick by Gov. Romney."

"Congressman Ryan, as you've already seen, is bringing energy to the ticket." Pawlenty added.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also focused on Ryan's fiscal experience.

"With Paul Ryan on the ticket, this is a team that understands the economic stagnation our country has been facing the last four years and the urgency with which we need to change course," said Christie, in a statement released through the Romney campaign.

Other top Republicans took to social media to voice their support.

"Paul Ryan is an outstanding selection -- he's fully prepared to address our economic challenges that have only worsened under Obama-Biden," Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the party's 2008 presidential nominee, said via Twitter late Saturday.

McCain's former running mate, Sarah Palin, briefly congratulated Romney on his selection in a lengthy statement posted on her Facebook page Saturday criticizing President Barack Obama.

Several of Romney's former primary challengers also weighed in via Twitter.

"Gov. Romney has made a great VP pick. Fiscal sanity is back! Looking forward to helping the Romney-Ryan ticket win in Nov.," tweeted Rick Santorum.

"Paul Ryan, conservative budget hawk ... excellent choice who will underscore MR (Mitt Romney's) commitment to downsize Washington and restore job creation," wrote Texas Gov. Rick Perry on his Twitter feed.

Newt Gingrich issued several tweets on the pick, at one point linking Ryan to Ronald Reagan's political legacy.

"Paul Ryan carries on the solutions-oriented tradition of Reagan, Kemp, and the Contract with America! A great choice by Romney,' wrote Gingrich.

Other Republicans issuing statements in support of Ryan over the weekend included former President George W. Bush, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and House Speaker John Boehner.