Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan gave a rousing address at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, saying time is running out to save America from economic ruin. That’s the bad news, he says. The good news is, he and Mitt Romney are up to the challenge and ready to lead.

Of course, he had to wait for the applause to die down first, which lasted for a considerable amount of time after his introduction. But the crowd would spend a lot more time on their feet before Ryan was done.

“I accept the calling of my generation to give our children the America that was given to us, with opportunity for the young and security for the old – and I know that we are ready,” Ryan began. “Our nominee is sure ready. His whole life prepared him for this moment – to meet serious challenges in a serious way, without excuses and idle words. After four years of getting a run-around, America needs a turnaround, and the man for the job is Governor Mitt Romney.”

“I’m a newcomer to this campaign so let me share a first impression, I have never seen a POTUS so silent about their record and so desperate to keep their power. They’ve run out of ideas,” he added.

Click here for more from The Blaze with video of the speech.

Contrary to today’s Tulsa daily newspaper headline, incisive commentators suggested Ryan hit the mark.

Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer reacted to vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s address at the GOP convention, calling it “bold” and “effective.”

“[Ryan] went way beyond just the attacks — which he did extremely effective — like stiletto attacks, each one a short jab that left a mark,” he said. ”

In one of the best received lines of his RNC speech, Ryan said, “College graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life.”

Krauthammer said the line “cleverly reminded people…of the fact that Obama has disappointed them. He had so much promise.”

Click here for more of Krauthammer’s comments from The Blaze.

In an exclusive Drudge Report post, the text of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s speech to the Republican National Convention is compelling.  Highlights follow with links to the complete text.

The Hon. Chris Christie
Governor of New Jersey
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery at Republican National Convention
August 28, 2012

This stage and this moment are very improbable for me.

A New Jersey Republican delivering the keynote address to our national convention, from a state with 700,000 more Democrats than Republicans.

A New Jersey Republican stands before you tonight.

Proud of my party, proud of my state and proud of my country.

I am the son of an Irish father and a Sicilian mother.

…

And I am still her son today, as Governor, following the rules she taught me: to speak from the heart and to fight for your principles. She never thought you get extra credit for just speaking the truth.

The greatest lesson Mom ever taught me, though, was this one: she told me there would be times in your life when you have to choose between being loved and being respected. She said to always pick being respected, that love without respect was always fleeting — but that respect could grow into real, lasting love.

I believe we have become paralyzed by our desire to be loved.

Our founding fathers had the wisdom to know that social acceptance and popularity is fleeting and that this country’s principles needed to be rooted in strengths greater than the passions and emotions of the times.

Our leaders today have decided it is more important to be popular, to do what is easy and say "yes," rather than to say no when "no" is what’s required.

In recent years, we as a country have too often chosen the same path.

It’s been easy for our leaders to say not us, and not now, in taking on the tough issues. And we’ve stood silently by and let them get away with it.

…

Tonight, we choose respect over love.

We are not afraid. We are taking our country back.

We are the great grandchildren of men and women who broke their backs in the name of American ingenuity; the grandchildren of the Greatest Generation; the sons and daughters of immigrants; the brothers and sisters of everyday heroes; the neighbors of entrepreneurs and firefighters, teachers and farmers, veterans and factory workers and everyone in-between who shows up not just on the big days or the good days, but on the bad days and on the hard days.

…

The disciples of yesterday’s politics underestimated the will of the people. They assumed our people were selfish; that when told of the difficult problems, tough choices and complicated solutions, they would simply turn their backs, that they would decide it was every man for himself.

…

Let’s be clear with the American people tonight. Here’s what we believe as Republicans and what they believe as Democrats.

We believe in telling hard working families the truth about our country’s fiscal realities. Telling them what they already know – the math of federal spending doesn’t add up.

It’s the power of our ideas, not of our rhetoric, that attracts people to our Party.

…

We have a nominee who will tell us the truth and who will lead with conviction. And now he has a running mate who will do the same.

We have Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan, and we must make them our next President and Vice President.

Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to put us back on the path to growth and create good paying private sector jobs again in America.

Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to end the torrent of debt that is compromising our future and burying our economy.

Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to end the debacle of putting the world’s greatest health care system in the hands of federal bureaucrats and putting those bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor.

We ended an era of absentee leadership without purpose or principle in New Jersey.

It’s time to end this era of absentee leadership in the Oval Office and send real leaders to the White House.

…

I have an answer tonight for the skeptics and the naysayers, the dividers and the defenders of the status quo.

I have faith in us.

I know we can be the men and women our country calls on us to be.

I believe in America and her history.

There’s only one thing missing now. Leadership. It takes leadership that you don’t get from reading a poll.

You see, Mr. President – real leaders don’t follow polls. Real leaders change polls.

…

Tonight, we finally and firmly answer the call that so many generations have had the courage to answer before us.

Tonight, we stand up for Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States.

And, together, we stand up once again for American greatness.

Click here for more from Drudge Report.

Runoff votes today will decide several races including Republican and Democrat primary candidates in the 2nd Congressional District, the Tulsa County Clerk office, and State Senate District 33 and State House District 70.  Polls are open until 7 pm. 

The Tulsa County Clerk position will be decided between Pat Key and Dean Martin.  In this race, Martin has greatly touted his loyalty and relationship with County Assessor Ken Yazel, and former-State Senator Randy Brogdon who now works for the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner.  Tulsa Today strongly endorses Pat Key in this race.

Republicans in Senate District 33 will decide between conservative businessman Tim Wright and the much younger Libertarian activist Nathan Dahm.  Tulsa Today endorses Tim Wright.

Republicans also decide in House District 70 between Ken Walker and Shane Saunders.  Tulsa Today endorses Shane Saunders.

In Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District, Democrats will decide between Rob Wallace and Wayne Herriman while Republicans will select George Faught or Markwayne Mullen.  The winners will meet in November for their chance to work in Washington.