Ryan calls November presidential election 'generation-defining'

Paul Ryan on Thursday called the November 2012 presidential election a "generation-defining" moment.

Ryan's comments came during a campaign stop in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"You know, this is really more than just about more economic growth and more jobs — that's crucial and it's fundamental, but it's not just what this campaign's about. This is not just 'who's going to be the next president for the next four years?' That's not the kind of moment we're facing right now. This is really a generation-defining movement," Ryan said. 

Ryan stressed the election was important not just because of the country's deficit.

"It's because of math and momentum. It's because of the tidal wave of debt that is hitting us, and it's because of the fact there's so many people struggling, so many workers worried, so many people who can't find opportunities … this is really an election about 'what kind of people do we want to be? What kind of country do we want to have?' " Ryan continued.

Ryan's comments come as Republicans seek to capitalize on the deficit surpassing $16 trillion earlier in the week. The Republican National Committee quickly released a new Web video of clips of President Obama describing the importance of controlling the national debt.

At the same campaign appearance, Ryan also indicated the value of swing-state Colorado in the presidential campaign.

"Colorado is an important state. I think you understand that. I think you're kinda used to that," Ryan told the audience. "You have a huge responsibility, but also a tremendous opportunity."

A recent Public Policy Polling survey found Obama with a slight lead over Mitt Romney in Colorado, 49.2 percent to 45.1.

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