Romney VP pick: Paul Ryan

NORFOLK, Virginia, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The stage was set on Saturday for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's big introduction of his runningmate Paul Ryan, when Romney's tongue let him down.

"Join me in welcoming the next president of the United States, Paul Ryan," a beaming Romney said. Moments later Romney returned to the podium. "Every now and then I'm known to make a mistake. I did not make a mistake with this guy," he said of Ryan. But he corrected himself, saying the Wisconsin congressman is "going to be the next vice-president of the United States."

Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee, announced that he has chosen Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, a move that will bring the debate over how to reduce government spending and debt to the forefront of the race for the White House.

"His leadership begins with character and values. ... Paul Ryan works in Washington but his roots remain in Janesville, Wisconsin," Romney said before introducing Ryan.

The announcement will mark the end a months-long search by Romney for a running mate to join him in facing Democratic President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in the Nov. 6 election.

The choice of Ryan will bring the debate over how to reduce government spending and debt to the forefront of the race for the White House.

Conservative leaders, increasingly anxious over the state of Romney's campaign, had urged him to pass over reliable - but not particularly inspiring - figures such as Ohio Senator Rob Portman and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, and instead go for Ryan.