Rep. Paul Ryan may run for House speaker
Paul Ryan, a top Republican congressman with allies on the right wing of the party, has said he is considering a bid to replace outgoing US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner.
Even though several GOP lawmakers say Ryan has repeatedly denied any interest in the position, several other members on the House floor have talked about his deliberations for the job.
On Thursday, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced he would not run for speaker and this prompted many House Republicans and even 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney to ask Ryan to try to succeed Boehner.
"Every politician tries to convince people that they are that kind of leader; almost none are -- Paul is. Paul has a driving passion to get America back on a path of growth and opportunity. With Paul, it's not just words, it's in his heart and soul," Romney said in a statement.
Even McCarthy himself said on CNN that "if he (Ryan) decides to do it, he'll be an amazing speaker but he's got to decide on his own."
Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, said he believed that Ryan has "gone from a 'hard no' to he knows he has to consider it".
"Although he's ruled himself out, it's very clear he's reconsidering," Issa said, adding "the fact is, his time is now."
Also, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Michigan, said that Ryan " needs to do this for the team."
Ryan spokesman Brendan Buck said in a statement on Friday that "Ryan appreciates the support he's getting from his colleagues, but is still not running for speaker."
The Republican congressman himself refused to talk about his decision on Friday, saying he was “going to make my flight so I can make it home for dinner.”
On September 25, Boehner told colleagues in a closed-door gathering that he would leave at the end of October, sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill.
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