Ryan is a great choice because he is Catholic - he can talk economics and freedom of religion!
Think common sense "Macomb County Democrats, AKA "The Reagan Democrats", think what Oboingo did to Freedom or Religion and contract law with the Sibillius Mandate.
Catholics and the Church are pissed, and they are looking for all this to end. Having a Catholic on the Ticket can't hurt. WI, OH, MI and PA IMHO are in serious play....