Walker says he texts advice to Ryan

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday he regularly exchanges text messages with Rep. Paul Ryan, including passing along scripture versus and campaign advice.

The Republican governor told The Associated Press in an interview that he is in regular communication with Ryan, who was picked Saturday to be Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate.

"I gave him some feedback, even simple things," Walker said. "We text each other a lot, sending him some scripture to think about. Sending him some things as simple as reminders to get enough sleep, to eat well, to stay connected to your family."

Walker, who survived a recall vote in June, said Ryan had given him the same advice during that campaign.

Walker appeared at a rally Sunday with Ryan in Republican-friendly Waukesha, the day after Ryan was picked to be Romney's running mate. Walker, 44, and Ryan, 42, are close in age and both grew up in southern Wisconsin. They are at the forefront of a conservative Republican wave.

Walker is best known for his proposal that went after collective bargaining rights for public workers, while Ryan is the architect of a federal budget plan that would replace Medicare with a voucher system for those currently under 55. The plan also calls for gradually raising the Medicare retirement age from 65 to 67.

Walker said he sent Ryan encouraging text messages on Monday after Ryan was heckled during his first solo campaign appearance at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

"Fortunately, I'm very well versed in talking when people are trying to talk over you," Walker said. "So I gave him some feedback on that. One was just affirming him."

Protesters interrupted Ryan several times, and one woman climbed on stage with him before being dragged away by security. Ryan referenced the Wisconsin protests that engulfed Walker last year after over his union proposal and morphed into the recall campaign.

Walker praised how Ryan handled the hecklers.

"You push it right back and talk about respect and talk about people wanting to be heard," Walker said. "People want to be heard and they need to respect those who aren't talking. Respect needs to go both ways then you get right back on message and that's what he did."