WASHINGTON — Though best known as an architect of conservative fiscal policy, Representative Paul D. Ryan has also been an ardent, unwavering foe of abortion rights, has tried to cut off federal money for family planning, has opposed same-sex marriage and has championed the rights of gun owners.

Despite those positions, Mr. Ryan, who was picked over the weekend to be Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential running mate, has said he wants to focus on the nation’s looming debt crisis, not on social issues, in the coming campaign.

Democrats, hoping to win a large majority of female voters in November, assailed Mr. Ryan’s record on abortion rights and women’s health on Sunday.

In an interview with the conservative Weekly Standard in 2010, Mr. Ryan, an observant Roman Catholic, played down the possibility of a truce on social issues, which had been suggested by Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, a Republican.