David Axelrod: Paul Ryan Pick Evokes Memories Of Sarah Palin

WASHINGTON — A senior political adviser to President Barack Obama likened Mitt Romney's selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate to John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin.

David Axelrod told "CBS This Morning" he recalls "that kind of excitement four years ago" when McCain presented Palin to the country as his choice for vice president. Axelrod said in Monday's interview he thinks the selection of Ryan, who is popular with tea party figures – as Palin was – is "not going to be a plus for Mr. Romney."

Axelrod said he likes Ryan personally, but he also is labeling the Wisconsin Republican "a certifiable right-wing ideologue."

Obama's adviser said Ryan is "a genial fellow, but his views are quite harsh," and he says "these Republicans don't like Medicare."

"It was laughable last night to hear Gov. Romney say 'well, that’s his plan, I’ve got my own plan.' Those plans are very similar," said Axelrod. "For the middle class it feels like a choice between a punch in the nose and a knee to the groin. The fact is both plans call for trillions and trillions of dollars of new tax cuts skewed to the wealthy."