As a constituent of Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wisc.), I regretfully offer up my congressman to the country. Residing in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District affords more than 700,000 southeastern Wisconsin citizens the privilege of being represented by Ryan. Those who vote against him every two years may disagree and others, even supporters, may claim it is Ryan’s privilege to represent us, a statement the congressman himself would likely support based on his humble and workmanlike attitude toward his elected duties. But now that Ryan finds himself in the running-mate sweepstakes, those who count ourselves his loyal constituents must think of the greater good. And Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney’s best choice.

That isn’t to say others are not well qualified. South Carolina Governor Nikki Hailey and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, for instance, are worthy of a GOP running mate short-list, but many promote them for the wrong reasons. They suggest the ticket needs diversity to draw votes; diversity of gender and/or ethnicity and/or geography, at least in terms of a state with lots of electoral votes. How about just counting on the electorate to vote for the most qualified candidate, delivering the most compelling message with plans and a résumé to back them up?