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WATCH: Ryan slams Obama, says Romney won’t ‘duck tough issues’ on economy

TAMPA, Fla. — Paul Ryan yesterday proved he’s ready for prime time.

In the biggest speech of his life, the Republican vice-presidential nominee touted new boss Mitt Romney as a turnaround artist and slammed President Obama as a failed leader.

“Our nominee is sure ready. His whole life has prepared him for this moment — to meet serious challenges in a serious way, without excuses and idle words,” Ryan told the GOP convention last night.

“After four years of getting the runaround, America needs a turnaround, and the man for the job is Governor Mitt Romney,” Ryan said.

Firing up a crowd of delegates on the night before running mate Romney takes the stage, Ryan accused Obama of leaving the country adrift.

“It all started off with stirring speeches, Greek columns, the thrill of something new,” he said of Obama’s rise to the presidency.

“Now all that’s left is a presidency adrift, surviving on slogans that already seem tired, grasping at a moment that has already passed, like a ship trying to sail on yesterday’s wind,” he said to huge applause.

Ryan said the time for choosing “is drawing near.”

“So here is our pledge,” Ryan said. “We will not duck the tough issues — we will lead. We will not spend four years blaming others — we will take responsibility.”

Ryan, 42, considered by many as the ideological leader of his party, has been inspiring new enthusiasm for Romney.

He renewed his call for making sweeping changes to Medicare that he said would shore up the program — even as Democrats are trying to make the “Ryan budget” and a plan to “voucherize” Medicare a liability.

“Before the math and the momentum overwhelm us all, we are going to solve this nation’s economic problems,” Ryan said. “And I’m going to level with you: We don’t have that much time. But if we are serious and smart and we lead, we can do this.”

He said it’s “the calling of my generation” to “give our children the America that was given to us, with opportunity for the young and security for the old.”

Ryan slammed ObamaCare, saying, “The president has declared that the debate over government-controlled health care is over. That will come as news to the millions of Americans who will elect Mitt Romney so we can repeal ObamaCare,” he said.

The Wisconsin Republican also shared his personal history with the crowd, and grew teary-eyed when talking about how his mother raised him after his dad died. His mom, in attendance, stood up as the arena gave her a thunderous ovation.

Ryan’s GOP House colleagues said Romney’s selection of a running mate shows a desire not only to the win the race, but to fix the country.

“Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan says more than anything that we’re on offense,” said House Speaker John Boehner, of Ohio. “Mitt Romney wants to show the country we want to be on offense.”

Queens Rep. Bob Turner said he’s thrilled with Romney’s choice of Ryan. “He’s the real deal,” Turner said.

Ryan took the stage a night after Romney’s wife, Ann, delivered what many Republican lawmakers were calling a “home run.”

Meanwhile, last night provided only a glimpse of President George W. Bush and his dad, President George H. W. Bush.

They were the subject of a tribute video shown to the convention. But former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said his brother was “smart to stay away” from the convention.

Campaigning in Charlottesville, Va., Obama ripped Romney in the latest effort to cast the 65-year-old former Massachusetts governor as yesterday’s man.

“My opponent called my position on fuel-efficiency standards extreme,” Obama said. “It doesn’t seem extreme to me to want to have more fuel-efficient cars. Maybe the steam engine is more his speed.”

Romney jetted to Indianapolis to address the American Legion.

“I appreciate this invitation to join you on dry land this afternoon,” Romney joked as he started speaking. “Our thoughts are, of course, with the people of the Gulf Coast states. Seven years ago today, they were bracing for Hurricane Katrina.”