WASHINGTON (MCT) — Democrats on Sunday sought to highlight what they see as the radical and unpopular elements of newly minted vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan’s budget plans, while Republicans praised Ryan as a visionary who will tell the hard truths Americans want to hear.

The Ryan pick “clarifies the choice for the American people … in a way that is going to be helpful,” Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”