U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Grantville, said Tuesday the upcoming presidential election will be “a vicious campaign” that will decide the direction of the country.

He endorsed fellow U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan in front of members of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. Ryan is Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s pick for vice president.

“I’m excited about Paul Ryan,” Westmoreland said. “He’s a great guy. He’s one of us. He’d fit in in LaGrange. He’s bright, articulate and he knows the truth is the truth.”

Westmoreland, who defeated a Republican challenger in the July 31 primary and has no November opposition, encouraged residents to get involved and vote in the elections. President Abraham Lincoln said government was created “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

“People are the chief ingredient in that formula,” he said. “When the people aren’t involved, the mixture isn’t right. We’re picking our teams that are going to go to the front.”

Westmoreland also encouraged participation in local elections.

“The city council and county commissioners and state representatives are going to do things that affect your life more than (Congress) will,” he said.

And people shouldn’t place blame on one group or person – like Congress or the president – he said.

“It’s going to take all of us to fix it,” he said. “We need to all be involved and informed.”