Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney picks Rep. Paul Ryan, 42, of Wisconsin, as his running mate.

Romney says Ryan is a man of "great steadiness" and "unquestioned integrity."

The former Massachusetts governor says Ryan is a "shining exception" in a political world of pettiness.

The two appeared together for the first time as the Republican presidential ticket Saturday morning in Virginia. They faced supporters while standing on the USS Wisconsin, a retired World War II battleship.

Romney says that Democrats may disagree with Ryan's policies, but he doesn't know anyone who doesn't respect his character and judgment.