By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ending a self-imposed silence about the November election, 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan said on Wednesday that he and presidential running mate Mitt Romney lost not because of ideas, but due to ineffective communication.

Ryan said Democratic President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden also prevailed because they did a better job with "technology and (voter) turnout."

"We have to learn that," said Ryan, chairman of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. "We have to fix that."

Ryan made the comments at a breakfast with reporters sponsored by the Wall Street Journal as the eight-term Republican ended his silence and spoke out.

Romney and Ryan kept low-profiles after the November elections, figuring they would surrender center stage to the victors, Obama and Biden.

Ryan had spoken with the media in his home state of Wisconsin, but stayed away from the national press until Obama and Biden were sworn in for second terms this week.

At Monday's inauguration ceremony, Ryan sat with fellow lawmakers near Obama and Biden outside the U.S. Capitol.

While watching Obama take the oath, Ryan said he thought about what he and Romney could have done if they won and implemented their conservative agenda.

But Ryan said he is now looking ahead, focusing on his job as Budget Committee chairman where he is again helping to lead a Republican charge to cut spending.

Romney, who has generally remained out of public view since the election, did not attend the inauguration and has not indicated what he plans to do next. Continued...