Thousands of Wisconsinites jammed the Waukesha County Exposition Center to welcome favorite son Paul Ryan back to his birthplace.

The Wisconsin Reporter:

The audience surpassed that of Gov. Scott Walker's recall victory rally, also held at the Expo Center in June, as thousands of Romney-Ryan supporters stood shoulder to shoulder outside the facility for what was labeled a homecoming.

A Wisconsin who's who of GOP heavyweights - from U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson to the Fitzgerald brothers, Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, a U.S. Senate candidate, and former Senate Majority leader Scott Fitzgerald - revved up the Republican faithful before favorite son Ryan held the floor.

As he has done so often over seven terms in the House, Ryan clearly laid out his limited-government vision, asserting what has become abundantly clear since Romney announced his vice presidential choice Saturday morning near the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Norfolk, Va.

"So we have a big choice to make," he said.

"And if we look at the path that we're on, if we look at all of the things that the president has been doing - more government, more regulations, the promise of a lot more taxes on successful small businesses ... (I)f this president is going to do these kinds of things in a very difficult, tough election year, imagine what he would do if he never has to face the voters again."

"You know what? We're not going to find out," the would-be VP said to a roar of applause.

Ryan, the self-described policy wonk, demonstrated he could hold his own with a microphone, repeating points he's made at campaign stop over the past day and a half.

"(The United States) is the only country founded on an idea, it's very special ...Our rights come from nature and God, not from our government."

Romney played the home town crowd. They loved it.

"I guess you think I made the right decision, the right choice?" Romney asked the crowd, which erupted in cheers.

There was already a sharp enthusiasm gap in favor of Republicans before the Ryan pick. Judging by the crowds the ticket has drawn in NC and now WI, I'd say it just got a little bigger.