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servative excitement for the Wisconsin congressman -- and his controversial budget plans -- will overshadow Romney's own economic message.
• Democrats are banking on it.
• Since Romney formally named Ryan his running mate on Saturday, the Obama campaign has been attacking the Republican budget architect's plans to transform Medicare into a voucher system and re-shape the nation's tax system. That effort will continue as Obama kicks off a three-day bus tour across Iowa, making his longest visit to a single state yet as he seeks to fire up supporters who put him on the path to the presidency in 2008.
• Ryan figures to play prominently in Obama's message.
• ___

• GILBERT, Ariz. (AP) -- When a little-known Alaska governor stepped onto the American political stage as John McCain's running mate four years ago, the choice was intended to be a game-changer.
• While Sarah Palin gave a boost to the Republican Arizona senator's presidential campaign initially, her campaign overall had mixed results.
• Now voters and election watchers are trying to determine if Republican Mitt Romney's choice of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate will be a game-changer in this year's elections.
• Those who have studied elections and vice presidential choices say the VP choice doesn't do much, if anything, to affect the outcome most years.
• But they say it can make a difference in a very close race.
• ___

• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Paul Ryan's blueprint for Medicare could prove as polarizing in the campaign as President Barack Obama's health care overhaul has been. Even Mitt Romney may not want to go there.
• Romney's new running mate has built a strong reputation on Capitol Hill for bold ideas to restrain health care costs and federal spending overall. His centerpiece

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