It’s really, really obvious that Paul Ryan is being dragged, kicking and screaming, into running for the House Speaker. He really, really doesn’t want the job.
Ryan spoke to the House GOP behind closed doors Tuesday and said if all factions can share his vision and he can get the endorsement of the major caucuses, then he will serve as speaker.
The news was confirmed by his spokesman Brendan Buck, who said according to reports, “If he is not a unifying figure for the conference, then he will not run.”
So, he wants the vote before the vote. And he has conditions:
He said Republicans needed to move from being “an opposition party to an proposition party.” He also said he would seek updates to the House rules — a common demand by the conservative hardliners that roiled Speaker John Boehner’s tenure — “so everyone can be a more effective representative.”
He also said he would not sacrifice his time with his family and young children, a concern that had been raised by his allies as the speaker often spends weekends fundraising for members. He said he was still worried about the toll the role would take on his family, but added, “My greatest worry is the consequences of not stepping up.”
Pretty interesting, no? Ryan doesn’t want the job. Can you blame him? Because we all know, no matter what’s agreed to now, the word of the conservative hardliners is worthless in this regard. Does anyone doubt that? This is a group that campaigns (and wins) on obstruction and opposition. It’s all they know how to do.
What’s also interesting is his condition concerning House rules. Basically he’s saying: Change the rules around the motion to vacate the chair so they are not used as easily – Remove the threat so often used against Boehner.
Ryan is saying he’ll accept the Speakership if all the major factions agree to his terms. So he’s trying to make it something he accepts rather than runs for, as it were. Everyone has to agree to his terms rather than getting each faction’s buy-in by agreeing to their terms and then trying to make all those hopelessly conflicting demands function together.
House Republicans seem so desperate for Ryan at this point that I think there’s a good chance he can do it on the front end. It seems decidedly more dubious that he can make it work over time. The real division is between those who want traditional legislative practice and those who embrace government by shutdown. It’s not clear to me that division has been settled or submerged. But we’ll see.
Yep. It says a lot about the GOP that they can’t give away one of the most powerful and coveted positions in the nation. That’s what a leaderless party looks like.
And, did I mention that Ryan put a deadline on this? Friday. I guess that makes sense since we’re rapidly approaching the need to raise the the Federal Borrowing Limit and to pass spending regulations. Has the choice come down to Ryan as Speaker vs. default and government shut down? Sure sounds like it, and if that’s the case does anyone see the Republicans giving up their favorite toys? I’m having trouble wrapping my head around this. It sounds like the deal is: Elect Ryan as Speaker and pass whatever’s necessary to avoid default and a government shut down. So, the hardliners would not only not get the Speaker they want (Daniel Webster) but they’d have to give up the only thing they “accomplish” in Congress? Anyone else having trouble seeing this happen?
Here’s my prediction: If Ryan becomes Speaker (and that’s still a big if) his conditions will be discarded by the conservative factions that agreed to them. In a heartbeat.