With the exception of a few tweeting strategists, Republicans, on email, cable, and Twitter, are truly, genuinely, wildly enthusiastic about the Ryan pick. Even some long-time Romney skeptics are uncharacteristically giddy about the choice — and even about Mitt himself.

And Democrats aren’t spinning when they profess glee. From their point of view, they are adding Medicare destruction with tax cuts for the wealthy to a Swiss bank account and Bain. David Axelrod wouldn’t have dreamed of this.

What Ryan brings into sharper focus is the discussion that should decide the election: which is better for the middle class and job creation — a continuation of President Obama’s policies or more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, eliminating the Affordable Care Act, and a much smaller federal government?

Romney’s pick galvanizes people who already believed the answer was the latter. What remains to be seen — and is a real challenge for the GOP — can the Romney-Ryan ticket make the case to the swing voters in this race?

One more thing: watch Social Security. Romney has soft peddled his position on personal/private accounts and benefit cuts — and the media has let him get away with it. Ryan’s stance might bring that issue back into play big time.