Paul Ryan introduces himself to America after Romney calls him 'the next president'

Newly minted vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced himself to Americans -- most of whom Rasmussen reports have no opinion of him -- in front of the USS Wisconsin, after his running mate Mitt Romney (R-MA) mistakenly introduced him as "the next president of the United States" (video below).

"Regrettably, President Obama has become part of the problem, and Mitt Romney is the solution," Ryan told the crowd after introducing himself, his family, his hometown and his home state of Wisconsin. "No one disputes President Obama inherited a difficult situation," he offered, "And, in his first 2 years, with his party in complete control of Washington, he passed nearly every item on his agenda. But that didn’t make things better."

Ryan hinted at his oft-maligned budget plan in his speech as well when he said, "President Obama, and too many like him in Washington, have refused to make difficult decisions because they are more worried about their next election than they are about the next generation."

Near the end, he also tipped his hat to the Republican talking point that Obama said "You didn't build that" (which was taken out of context): "We Americans look at one another’s success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted." He added, "We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes."

Watch the full video of Ryan's speech, first aired on ABC News on August 11, 2012, below:

Watch the video of Romney's gaffe, first uploaded to YouTube on August 11, 2012: