Democrat Rep. Bruce Braley Plays Nice to 'His Friend' Paul Ryan at Iowa State Fair

Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, stood on the "soap box" Monday at the Iowa State Fair and recognized he was surrounded by Republicans.

The newly named GOP vice-presidential candidate, Paul Ryan, made a last-minute decision to come to the Iowa State Fair today, and was scheduled to speak at 1 p.m., right after Braley.

Many in the "Braley" crowd, like Charles Larson, 77, of West Des Moines, weren't there to listen to the Democrat, who is campaigning against Republican Ben Lange of Independence, but were there early to hear Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman. 

"Not to tell a lie," Larson said. "I'm here to save a seat."

So, it's no surprise that Braley focused on bipartisan work and his friendship with Ryan during his 20-minute "soap box" speech, which is a fair tradition for Democratic and Republican candidates.

"There's a lot of blue shirts in the crowd, and I am glad to see you here," Braley said of the Republican-branded shirts. "My friend Paul Ryan will be here later today.

"We are friends. We have a lot of disagreements on policy, but that doesn't mean I should not treat him as a friend."

Speaking later to reporters, Braley continued the niceties, but said he hopes Ryan's new stature will "put pressure on (Republican) House leadership to move along the Farm Bill, which has stalled.

Ryan "has a lot of constituents affected," Braley said.

Braley said Ryan will bring some major differences to the presidential campaign, particularly how to pay for Social Security, Medicare and education.

During his speech, Braley also highlighted his bipartisan work on the New Era Act, a piece of legislation designed to train a new generation of bio-fuels workers.

is looking to take down Independence attorney and GOP opponent for the second time. Braley narrowly defeated Lange two years ago.