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Protesters gather outside Ryan office

JANESVILLE — Local people joined People for the American Way-Wisconsin in a demonstration of their opposition to the Republican presidential ticket in downtown Janesville on Thursday.

About 50 people gathered across the street from Rep. Paul Ryan's congressional office and heard speakers rail against Ryan and Mitt Romney on topics that included health care, trade policy, economic policy, women's rights and gay rights.

Romney announced Ryan as his running mate on Saturday.

Five Janesville police officers stood by. The protest in the vice presidential candidate's hometown was peaceful.

A handful of people came out of the Republican campaign office about four doors away and silently held signs in support of Ryan for Congress, Rep. Joe Knilans and the Romney-Ryan ticket. They also held a life-size cutout of Romney.

Scott Foval of the People for the American Way decried what he called the Romney-Ryan "far right agenda."

Romney picked Ryan to appeal to the "far right wing of the Republican Party," Foval said.

The crowd was supportive and chanted "shame!" when speakers mentioned Ryan's plans for Medicare and other policies.

Wisconsin journalist John Nichols told the crowd that Ryan should debate Vice President Joe Biden but also his Democratic opponent in the 1st District race.

"If you want to represent us in Washington, you should respect us enough to come here and debate in Wisconsin," Nichols said.

Nichols, who had a film crew following him, later chatted amicably about politics with the Republican demonstrators.