Mitt Romney's family influential in Paul Ryan VP pick despite skeptical campaign advisors

Our take: Mitt Romney's family was very influential in his decision to choose Paul Ryan as running mate. McKay Coppins at Buzzfeed explains what role Romney's family plays in his presidential campaign.

When Mitt Romney began seriously considering Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate earlier this summer, many of the political professionals who staff his Boston headquarters were skeptical. They realized the political liabilities posed by Ryan's controversial budget. They worried that his status as a Capitol Hill mainstay would undermine the candidate's Washington outsider image. And they recognized that adding a bold conservative visionary to the ticket could well kill any notion that this election was a referendum on President Obama.

But while Romney's staff had their doubts, the Congressman had the support of a separate, and increasingly influential set of advisers who have long had the candidate's ear: His wife and five sons.

Read more about how Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan on Buzzfeed.