MITT ROMNEY AND PAUL RYAN GIVE THEIR FIRST JOINT INTERVIEW TO BOB SCHIEFFER ON "60 MINUTES"............

At a furniture store in High Point, North Carolina this afternoon the Republican Presidential Ticket of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, gave their first interview as running mates to "60 Minutes", and CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and "Face The Nation" moderator, Bob Schieffer.  The nearly fifteen minute interview that aired included discussion of how Romney decided on Ryan as his choice and saying he realized that his help was needed to put the country back on track, having met with him during the past year to discuss policy and was impressed with Ryan's acumen, leadership and desire to make a difference in Washington.  Ryan spoke of the perilous situation he feels the country is in and how he has tried as House Budget Committe Chairman to address the economic and fiscal challenges the country faces and how the need to provide leadership to turn things around, to get the country back on track, and put the people on the right path again, excites him.  Asked about their potential working relationship should they win the election, Romney said they will work together, look at important issues together, and that Ryan will be consulted with others, on important matters in making decisions and that he, as President will make the final call.  Ryan said he does not think Romney has been defensive about Bain Capital at all; nor about his role as Governor of Massachusetts.  Ryan answered by calling Obama's inability to run on his record causing him to raise questions about Romney's record at  creating businesses, and turning around struggling businesses, which Ryan calls outstanding.  He went on to say that is what the two of them want to see happen for this  country because it creates more jobs, better take home pay, and better futures for the people.  Romney said Ryan's role in an Administration would be to work on areas of his expertise and passion, taking actual leadership in those areas, and certain Cabinet working directly with him.  Also because of his bipartisan ability to work with members of Congress to have him play a role in that way bringing them together, to do what is right for the country.  Ryan mentioned the dysfunction in Congress, but said the House Republicans have been sowing seeds of bipartisan compromise on big issues, so that next year things can get done.  Speaking of taxes and the wealthiest Americans paying the larger share but at a lower rate, given capital gain deductions, etc., Romney said it depends on the individual,  but that, "the top one percent, five percent, quartile, whatever - they pay the largest share of taxes and that is not something I would propose making smaller".  Ryan responded in a way I found surprising given the campaign questions the past few months surrounding Romney's income taxes, tax shelters, offshore and Swiss banking accounts, by proclaiming, "What we're saying is take away the tax shelters that are uniquely enjoyed by people in the top tax brackets so they can't shelter as much money from taxation, should have lower rates for everybody to make America more competitive".  Schieffer then asked Ryan how many years of tax returns he had submitted for the vetting process and Ryan said several years; but that he will be releasing the same amount as Governor Romney, two years.  And he then continued to excoriate the President for using this issue as a distraction and said the people he talks to aren't asking where the tax returns are, but "Where are the jobs ?   Where is the economic growth ?  Those are the issues that matter"; and he concluded his answer with, "we are going to focus on what it takes to turn this country around and get people back to work".  The two running mates will now go separate directions as Romney proceeds on to Florida, where he will bus tour tomorrow with Senator Marco Rubio; and Ryan will be campaigning in Iowa, another midwestern swing State, which like Wisconsin, and Ohio, the Republicans hope to win back this year............Fr.  Troy