Is Paul Ryan the VP Pick? All Signs Point to Yes

Updated: 11:15PM: It is being reported that Romney will be making his Vice-Presidential running-mate known at 9AM on Saturday in Norfolk VA. As noted below, he will be visiting the USS Wisconsin. Coincidence? Mis-direction, or nod to the Rep. from Wisconsin

Original: Many are expecting the VP pick to happen this weekend, and the speculation is heavy that the pick will be Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan). Weekly Standard has reportedly confirmed that WI Governor Scott Walker and "a group of Republicans who has been asked to be ready, in terms of his schedule and other practical preparations, to make the case publicly for a Romney-Ryan ticket as early as Saturday." Romney is starting a bus tour to head into the RNC convention in 2 weeks, and it's a good bet that Romney would like to have 2 solid weekends to spend with his pick. Romney is also conveniently scheduled to visit the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Virginia on Saturday as part of his pre-convention bus tour kickoff, and flying Ryan in for the announcement there would be a solid kickoff.

In my preview of Top 2012 picks for VP, Ryan ranked 3rd on the list behind Marco Rubio and Bobby Jindal. The cons were hard to come by back then, and I don't even think having the campaign focus be on the budget, economic reforms, and welfare entitlement is really a negative (and certainly a step up from the Obama campaign's desire to talk about Romney's tax returns for the next 3 months).

Pros: US Congressman and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (WI) has led the budget battle against Democrats and has been one of President Obama's top adversaries. He's young, attractive, and takes his job as legislator more serious than most. He's also a favorite of conservative who prefer the "adult in the room" approach that Paul Ryan, charts in hand, offers.

Cons: While many top conservatives have backed the Ryan plan, Mitt Romney included, choosing Ryan as the vice-president nominee would place a great deal of focus on his work. The Ryan plan, which is attacked by Democratic opponents with great regularity, could become the central focus of the entire campaign.

Ryan's name has been heavily floated over the past few days, and the objections have been few and far between. Romney would certainly enjoy Ryan's work ethic, and Ryan would probably breeze through any extensive background checks. The two looked good campaigning together in Wisconsin earlier this year, and the pair seemed like a compatible fit.

More on Paul Ryan

Ryan Ranked #4 in our Most Important Conservatives of 2012 List

Paul Ryan as a key voice on Spending and Debt

Paul Ryan shown in tasteless ad by DNC shoving elderly people in wheelchairs over a cliff

Paul Ryan endorses Mitt Romney early, looks very solid campaigning with the Governor

Photo Source: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Note: The first paragraph of the blog has been edited to include more relevant and detailed information about the possible pending announcement