Drafting Congressman Ryan
In this morning’s Washington Examiner, as Willie Beamen points out below, Michael Barone reports on an incident that took place Thursday night shortly before Paul Ryan gave the speech at the Alexander Hamilton Society on foreign policy that I discussed in my last post. Here is what Michael has to say:
One question hung over the meeting, and was briefly mentioned by National Review editor Rich Lowry in his 20-minute colloquy with Ryan after the speech: Will Paul Ryan run for president? Before the talk began I asked Ryan if he had read Paul Rahe’s ricochet.com blogpost entitled “Paul Ryan: A Duty to Serve.” Ryan has said that one reason he is not interested in running for president is that he would have to spend time away from his family, including three young children. Rahe, referencing Jennifer Rubin’s reflections in her Washington Post Right Turn blog on how Navy sailors and officers spend months away from their families, argues that Ryan has a duty to serve. His final paragraph is pretty strong stuff. It reads:
I do not know Paul Ryan. I am not acquainted with him. I have never even met the man. If I knew him at all well, I would walk into his office and slap down on his desk Jennifer Rubin’s post. As she points out, lots of Americans in uniform have answered their country’s call. Here is the question I would ask Ryan: “In this crisis, how can you of all people justify not doing what those soldiers have done?” And here is the argument that I would make: “You have the preparation; you have the training; you have the temperament; you have the knowledge; you have the persuasive capacity. We now face a great crisis, and you understand what has to be done better than anyone else. Your country needs you. In the circumstances, what possible excuse could trump that? You have a duty to serve.”
Before the speech I asked Ryan if he was aware of Rahe’s piece. He said someone on his staff had mentioned it. I asked whether he was going to run for president. He said (this is not quite an exact quote), I’m going to stay where I am. It’s easier. He added that he really thought Mitch Daniels was going to run and had gained that impression when talking to him three or four times before he made his decision not to. I asked him, What is the filing deadline for running for reelection in Wisconsin? He said it was in July. Which means, of course, that he could run for president and if not successful in the Republican nomination process could still run for reelection to the House.
Michael is a journalist and an historian. His book The Almanach of American Politics, which he revises every two years, is the Bible of the Beltway. He knows more about American politics and American political history than any man alive – which is why I think you might want to take seriously the last two paragraphs of his report:
After the speech and colloquy I handed Ryan a paper copy of Rahe’s post and urged him to read it. He said he would. My guess is that Paul Ryan is giving serious consideration to running for president, and that something like Paul Rahe’s call to duty rather than any crass political calculation is likely to persuade him to do so. I note that over at the Huffington Post Jon Ward seems to be drawing a similar conclusion, citing Ryan’s statement to Fox Business News’s Neil Cavuto that “I want to see how the field develops.”
By the way, how often do House Budget Committee chairmen give speeches about foreign policy?
Ryan Streeter, editor of ConservativeHome, has started a Draft-Ryan petition. If you think as I do, you might want to do as I just did and go to this webpage and sign on. In the meantime, someone should remind Ryan of what Brutus said to Cassius in a moment far less auspicious than the one we now face:
There is a tide in the affairs of men./Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;/Omitted, all the voyage of their life/Is bound in shallows and in miseries./On such a full sea are we now afloat,/And we must take the current when it serves,/Or lose our ventures.
The fact that Brutus was in error regarding the situation he confronted does not alter the fact that what he told Cassius was true. This is Paul Ryan's moment. He stands on the cusp of greatness. He needs to seize the time.
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Mar '11
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
If Ryan runs, we would finally have a candidate in this race I could look up to.
If you have played any party in convincing him to run, Dr. Rahe, our party and our country owe you a debt of gratitude.
May '11
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Even better about Ryan is that I imagine he'll probably clear out the field a little, especially on the conservative/Tea Party side. If Ryan runs, I don't think Palin or Bachmann will run, and Santorum, Cain and Pawlenty may consider backing out, which will result in less splitting of the conservative vote. If Ryan runs it will probably end up being him vs. Romney, and Ryan is so popular among conservatives that I think he'd beat Romney easily. And a quick primary will end up being better for Republicans in the general.
Nov '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Don't mean to upturn the apple cart, but has anyone read yet Andy McCarthy's article from today's NRO on Medicare? He gives Ryan all proper praise, but it's nonetheless a pretty sobering treatment. I would provide a link - but I'm writing this from my Android phone; for whatever reason, my computer web browser is not allowing me access to Ricochet. And if I may say so, as per my continual debates with certain interlocutors here at Ricochet, the real thrust of McCarthy's article is that this is fundamentally a political issue, not economic. To that end , see also John Hinderaker's astute comments on McCarthy's article at Powerline.com.
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Imagine electing a man as president who is reluctant to take the job and does so solely as a matter of duty, not at least partly in fulfillment of personal ambition. Has anyone since Washington really undertaken the presidency on this basis?
The financial calamity just ahead is surely the equal of the military cataclysm faced by our revolutionary forefathers. Paul Ryan may just be the essential man in this latest crisis, just as General Washington was in the country's first. I pray he answers the call to save our constitutional republic.
Well done, Professor Rahe!
Edited on June 4, 2011 at 10:40pmRe: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Robert,
I agree with Andy philosophically, but still believe that Ryan's plan offers the best practical chance of averting the looming catastrophe, allowing us time to begin chipping away at the socialist assumptions that have burrowed their way into our national fabric.
I find Andy's piece and the Heritage Foundation budget proposal helpful by reminding voters that Paul Ryan is already offering a compromise from the conservative ideal in order to make real political progress.
***
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May '11
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Here's a link to the article Robert Lux mentioned.
Jun '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Paul Ryan is the best the Republican Party has to offer for the 2012 Presidential race, hands down. There are some definite rising stars on the horizon, but now is just too early for them. Unfortunately we have allowed the left, the media, and even our own pundits to destroy some of our existing excellent candidates and made them seem less then what they are. Mr. Rahe, if your awe invoking words can stir within Mr. Ryan's heart the energy and desire to become the next President, well I am proud and I am excited as I am also certain that this , God willing, will be our country's saving grace.
Jan '11
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
I think a Ryan candidacy would be very nice and ideal. But for the moment he believes it is optimal for him to stay where he is. Those are his desires and I am more than cool with that. In fact, let be be somewhat contrarian here and suggest that this whole politician-as-savior mentality has to leave us quickly if we are to ever get anywhere.
Jun '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
"In fact, let be be somewhat contrarian here and suggest that this whole politician-as-savior mentality has to leave us quickly if we are to ever get anywhere."
I am not a cultist, Lowcountry ( assuming you are directing this comment towards mine ). When I said this would be our saving grace, I didn't use the word accidentally, as I was referring to a circumstance rather than an individual.
Oct '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
"Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation…We -- even we here -- hold the power, and bear the responsibility….We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just -- a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless."
Abraham Lincoln, Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862
We must continue in our efforts to remind Congressman Ryan of the fiery trials that we face as a nation. If not him, then who? If not now, when?
Edited on June 5, 2011 at 12:15amOct '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Yeah, Reagan should have gone back into acting instead of running for President. Churchill should have just retired prior to 1939. Lincoln lost the run for Senate versus Mr. Douglas, and should have returned to being a country lawyer. Individuals don't matter in history, I guess, Mr. LowcountryJoe.
Jun '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
I'd call this a pretty good day's work, Paul. Your blogpost may be the tipping point in convincing Ryan to run......very, very, very cool!
Jun '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Mr. Ryan is perfectly placed at the moment. As head of the House Budget Committee he's about to get a lot of face time with the American people. That's time that doesn't have to be paid for like regular political advertising. If Mr. Ryan can best Obama in the budget debate, everyone will know we have a candidate who can beat him in 2012. That would send the White House into a panic, and for good reason. The moment could be decisive eighteen months before the election. Godspeed, Mr. Ryan.
Feb '11
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Mr. Rahe, I absolutely agree with your analogy of a soldiers 'duty to serve' compared to Mr. Ryan's 'duty to serve' - and this may be a more appropriate comment to go on that post - but if he decides not to run for President, is his service as Chairman of the House Budget Committee any less noble than if he were to run for President? Don't we find the service of all service men and women to be noble; or are those in Seal Team 6 deserving of higher praise than those who serve as engineers in the military? I am open to an affirmative answer, I would just like to know why his service in the House would be insufficient service to our Country.
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
All such service is noble, but there are degrees. The guys who put their lives on the line . . . it is hard not to stand in awe of them.
Oct '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
I recall (well, not personally—I'm not that old) a certain much-acclaimed Roman who was disinclined to become emperor. How did that work out?
I find this whole concept of “duty to serve” as distasteful as press gangs and conscription. Even campaigning for and winning a legislative seat does not oblige one in any way to endure the abuse and attacks upon one's family that seeking national office entails. Further, I think that a person who stood up and said, “I don't know how to fix it, so I shall not seek the job” would be an honest man, not a coward.
Maybe we need people saying that to drive home that no “leader” can fix the problems absent a broad-based consensus that only fundamental change, not tinkering at the margins, can avert the calamity.
Jun '11
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Mr. Rahe,
Since you invoke Brutus to Cassius, let me remind you of Thucydides's words:
"We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a harmless, but as a useless character: and if few of us are originators, we are all sound judges of a policy. The great impediment to action is, in our opinion, not discussion, but the want of that knowledge which is gained by discussion preparatory to action. For we have a peculiar power of thinking before we act and of acting too, whereas other men are courageous from ignorance hut hesitate upon reflection. And they are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense both of the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger."
Rep. Ryan has already thought and hesitated...twice.
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
John Walker
I recall (well, not personally—I'm not that old) a certain much-acclaimed Roman who was disinclined to become emperor. How did that work out?
I find this whole concept of “duty to serve” as distasteful as press gangs and conscription. Even campaigning for and winning a legislative seat does not oblige one in any way to endure the abuse and attacks upon one's family that seeking national office entails. Further, I think that a person who stood up and said, “I don't know how to fix it, so I shall not seek the job” would be an honest man, not a coward.
Maybe we need people saying that to drive home that no “leader” can fix the problems absent a broad-based consensus that only fundamental change, not tinkering at the margins, can avert the calamity. · Jun 4 at 3:43pm
It takes a statesman with the gift of eloquence to create that consensus.
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
Mike Elliot: Mr. Rahe,
Since you invoke Brutus to Cassius, let me remind you of Thucydides's words:
"We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a harmless, but as a useless character: and if few of us are originators, we are all sound judges of a policy. The great impediment to action is, in our opinion, not discussion, but the want of that knowledge which is gained by discussion preparatory to action. For we have a peculiar power of thinking before we act and of acting too, whereas other men are courageous from ignorance hut hesitate upon reflection. And they are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense both of the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger."
Rep. Ryan has already thought and hesitated...twice. · Jun 4 at 3:43pm
All true -- but would he have given a speech on foreign policy were he not still tempted? Here's my guess. He hoped that Governor Daniels would take up the burden. Now he is waiting to see whether someone else -- say, Tim Pawlenty -- does so. If no one does, then . . .
Edited on June 5, 2011 at 1:34amJun '10
Re: Drafting Congressman Ryan
"Rep. Ryan has already thought and hesitated...twice. "
Or.....perhaps he is paving the way by approaching (or having staff approach) some of the other candidates before jumping in. He does not gain anything by creating tension among the current field. I agree with Dan that Palin, Bachman, & a few long shot candidates who are sympatico with Ryan will drop out if he is convinced to run. Imagine a joint press conference with a group of contenders plus Gov. Christie deferring to him as the best choice.....it would be a powerful opening of a campaign.
Who knows what is going on behind the scenes....