Saving Congressman Ryan
This just in from Wisconsin: Rep. Paul Ryan will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Democrat Herb Kohl, who announced his retirement last weekend.
Which can mean only one thing: the Senate speculation ends, another Ryan Watch begins.
So what's your guess -- one door closes, another opens to the national stage; or, much ado about nothing?
Which do you see?
1) Ryan seeks re-election to his House seat and another term as Budget Committee chair;
2) He ends up as running mate on the GOP's 2012 national ticket;
3) He seeks the 2012 presidential nomination;
4) He's a presidential candidate in the 2016 cycle;
5) The congressman, having been sinisterly and relentlessly hounded by Democratic special interests as the scourge of America's elderly, grows sick of the federal swamp and is out of office by 2017 . . .
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Apr '11
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
According to Jim Geraghty, Thompson's in.
I think Ryan will stay in the House as Budget Committee Chair for now, but will probably be seriously considered for VP. I don't think he'll run for president at this point because he's pretty much unequivocally said no; to run now would be seen as political opportunism.
He'll probably run in 2016 assuming there's not an incumbent Republican, which is entirely possible. Do you think there's a possibility he could be made Speaker?
Jun '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Well I'm already on record as saying that I'd support him if he chose to run and I know that others on Ricochet (Peter Robinson) have articulated that his candidacy might prove compelling since he knows budget issues better than the President of the United States and can articulate in detail why we need to bring down the debt and specifically how it is that Obama is driving the nation off the cliff.
A run for the Presidency is sure to generate more enthusiastic and monetary support for him than a mere Senate seat in Wisconsin.
I am optimistic about his prospects if he chooses to run. To me, Ryan represents the future of the Party - Mitt and Newt represent the past. Even if he ends up as VP it's a good thing...and even if he runs as the Republican nominee but loses I don't think that necessarily rules him out in 2016 particularly if Obama presides over the country's insolvency if re-elected because Ryan supporters can rightly say: We told you so...you should have elected Paul Ryan.
Nov '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
I'm sure hoping for door #1 because I think Ryan currently holds the most important job in the federal govt and because of his economic expertise, wields enormous clout in his current position. Tommy Thompson would be a terrific "offensive lineman."
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Can't see Mr. Ryan becoming Speaker. Eric Cantor, the current Majority Leader, is the heir apparent.
I believe the Gingrich Congress changed the rules so that committee chairs serve a max of three consecutive two-year terms. If so, that means Ryan's Budget reign would end in November 2016. It would make a national run all the more attractive . . .
Jun '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
As reported today on the Blaze.com:
In a conference call with conservative bloggers...One Washington Times reporter asked Gingrich about reports that he’s changed his position on several issues, including Libya and cap & trade. In reply, Gingrich insisted he’s always opposed cap & trade “in its current form..."
In its current form?! What the heck does that mean? He doesn't oppose cap & trade outright, in total? He believes that carbon dioxide generated by human beings is causing climate change? Are you kidding me?
I'm done.
Dear Congressman Ryan - PLEASE RUN!!!
Mar '11
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
I love Ryan, and I think he has the extremely rare combination of intellect, boldness and principles to go from the House to the White House.
Feb '11
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
I think Elizabeth has it exactly right. He is already in the job that needs him most at the moment. The conservative team in congress weakens if he leaves. Who else is proving to be as formidable (energetic, articulate, and detailed)? No, a president can afford to be more showman than wonk; we need Ryan exactly where he is right now.
Jun '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
If he becomes President, why would Ryan want the House to deviate from his own plan? He would insist on it, wouldn't he?
Dec '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
1)
I listen to him, as opposed to speculation. After all, I would have no use for him if his words were as meaningless as those of somebody like Eric Cantor.
Republicans and, especially, conservatives have no use for seniority in the WDC fraternity. Boehner is barely acceptable and Cantor will never be supported by the people, as the Speaker. I dream of McCotter as Speaker and Ryan staying right where he is, which is where he says he wants to be. I just listened to an in-depth, almost cross examination interview of Ryan on the Mark Levin show. If you want some more insight to the answer to this question, you should find that interview, once it becomes available, online.
I read him as being committed to the importance of his current mission, especially as it sits poorly with demagogues. I read him as prioritizing this especially important mission, at this stage in his life.
Sep '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Dan IV: According to Jim Geraghty, Thompson's in.
Thompson likes to be talked about. I think he is just putting his name out there for the ego stroke. It is difficult to see why he would choose to run this time around, after having made a very high profile decision not to run against Feingold in 2010.
Anyways, I hope he doesn't run. He's not a conservative.
Former congressman Mark Neumann, and former state senator Ted Kanavas are both likely to run, and are both strong conservatives.
As for Paul Ryan, I am just not sure he wants to climb the DC ladder any farther. I could easily see him staying in congress for another decade, then joining the private sector. He doesn't have a separate DC residence. He sleeps in his office, and spends three days a week at home in Janesville, WI, with his wife and kids. Paul Ryan doesn't want to be president, which makes him all the more appealing.
May '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
I have been told by a source that a link to the Ryan 2012 ads I placed on Ricochet have been sent to the Congressman's private e-mail. How do we rachet up the pressure?
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Ryan is a man of good sense. If he ran for the Senate and won, he would be a junior senator. It is far better to be a senior Congressman who chairs the budget committee. That having been said, he has done what needs doing in that job, and I am not sure that there is that much left for him to do in the House. He ought to throw his hat into the Presidential sweepstakes. He has earned for himself a place in the debates, and he might win the nomination. As things stand, he is the leader of the Republican Party.
May '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
If you want something to happen, do you want to be one man with a lot of power or one man among 435?
Nov '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
EJHill
If you want something to happen, do you want to be one man with a lot of power or one man among 435? · May 17 at 5:11pm
I think most voters fail to appreciate how much power is wielded and how many policies are actually enacted at the congressional level. Obama has succeeded in realizing many of his mandates because Harry Reid controls the Senate and Nancy Pelosi has had a long and powerful tenure in the House.
Edited on May 17, 2011 at 5:34pmMay '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
You're not making your case. He is neither the Speaker or even the Majority Leader. And he will have zero chance of making his budget law if Obama gets a second term.
Nov '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
EJHill
You're not making your case. He is neither the Speaker or even the Majority Leader. And he will have zero chance of making his budget law if Obama gets a second term. · May 17 at 5:28pm
Paul Ryan has enormous influence upon his colleagues, his home state constituency and constituencies beyond the Wisconsin borders, thus influencing the Speaker. You don't need to be "head honcho" of any organization to make a powerful impact.
Nov '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Brian Watt:
Dear Congressman Ryan - PLEASE RUN!!!
Hey Brian, Don't get me wrong! I would support Paul Ryan in any endeavor in which he chooses to undertake. I just happen to place an enormous value upon his current position and the manner in which he has used it to influence the conversation.
Aug '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Attn Rob Long ! While you probably to Cheers post Pantuso, did you notice that Gingrich sounded a bit like the coach in whine-mode tonight on Greta ?
Jun '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
Elizabeth Dunn
Brian Watt:
Dear Congressman Ryan - PLEASE RUN!!!
Hey Brian, Don't get me wrong! I would support Paul Ryan in any endeavor in which he chooses to undertake. I just happen to place an enormous value upon his current position and the manner in which he has used it to influence the conversation. · May 17 at 5:58pm
Good to know. My argument would be that his influence substantially multiplies if he becomes the Party's standard bearer...and again if elected which he might have a good shot at doing.
Jun '10
Re: Saving Congressman Ryan
...In fact, I'll go so far to say that the Ryan Plan has already been accepted by the House as the plan of record to save the country from insolvency. It will naturally be nitpicked along the way - - but the essential plan is there. If Ryan becomes the Republican candidate it communicates to America that Republicans, not just Republicans in the House, but Republicans and Independents across the country are united behind the plan. Obama and the Democrats have no plan. Hell, they couldn't even pass a budget when they controlled the House, the Senate and the White House! They simply want to continue running up the debt. The other Republican hopefuls are still cobbling together some semblance of their respective plans and I'm sure will be writing them in pencil so that they can be erased to appeal to various constituencies and special interests. Ryan already has his platform. It gets the country to a balanced budget and eventually eliminates the debt. If he's President who better to push it to its final passage from the Oval Office? The House isn't going to scrap it and start over if he's elected.