Obama Hits Ryan Early Over Farm Bill

President Obama wasted little time on Monday revving up his line of attack on Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin congressman who Mitt Romney has tapped as his No. 2.

Campaigning in Iowa, the president went with a somewhat local critique of the man of the moment and blasted Ryan's opposition to a bill that would provide aid to the state's farms, which have been suffering from a long-term drought. "If you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important this farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities," Obama told a crowd of supporters. "We've got to put politics aside when it comes to doing the right thing for rural America and for Iowa."

Republicans in Congress oppose provisions in the bill that would set up farm subsidies and food stamp programs, the Associated Press explains. Ryan's opposition to the bill gives Team Obama an easy opening to land an early shot to Romney's new running mate in one of a handful of swing states that could decide the election.

Democrats have already heavily criticized Ryan's controversial budget proposal, which would impose an array of austerity measures and set up a voucher program for seniors on Medicare. In Florida, however, Romney made a noticable effort to steer clear of the maelstrom that Ryan's plan has the potential to create. "I have my budget plan, and that's the budget plan we're going to run on," Romney said.