Paul Ryan Watch: Caledonia's Congressman Takes Budget Lead

Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican Congressman who represents Caledonia in the House of Representatives, has arrived.

A 12-year veteran of the House, Ryan is front-and-center on Republican plans to cut spending and to balance the federal budget. In the last week alone he was cited in more than 100 articles looking ahead to next year when Republicans take over the House.

Here's a sampling of what's being said about Ryan around the country:   

Ryan's Tax Cut Support

Ryan got a lot of press for supporting the tax cut deal negotiated between Republicans and President Obama. The Corner blog on The National Review's website suggests Ryan backed the tax cut to support job creation.

Ryan vs. Romney

Ryan made news for accusing potential presidential candidate Mitt Romney of playing politics over the tax cuts compromise. Ryan said Romney was trying to "out-conservative" other candidates lining up to challenge Obama in 2012.

FI$CY Award

Ryan received a "FI$CY" Award for his plan to balance the federal budget. The award, sponsored by a San Francisco-based investment firm, will be given out Jan. 5, the day Republicans take control of the House of Representatives. Ryan is the incoming chairman of the House Budget Committee.

Ryan for Senate?

We're two years away, but that isn't stopping some from thining about the state's next Senate election. Sen. Herb Kohl is up for re-election in 2012, and Ryan is on the short list of possible Republican candidates. Early polls found he's trailing Kohl in a hypothetical matchup 48-42 percent. Ryan also trails Feingold in a hypothetical race that assumes Kohl retires. Feingold is leading 50-43 percent.

The Weekly Standard spins this positive for Republicans, saying the numbers show Kohl is "under 50 percent," a sign that he's vulnerable for defeat.

Local aide

Local and state governments are bracing for less federal money as Republican take over the house, according to The Hill. As evidence, the article cites Ryan's critical stance against $26 billion in additional state and local relief passed by Congress this year. "States and localities need to take this moment to get their fiscal houses in order," Ryan is quoted as saying.