Several influential conservatives say that if GOP leadership puts forward Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as its “Plan C” for Speaker of the House, which appears to be Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) plan, it’s sure to be a third strike.
Conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus, among other groups, rallied to push Boehner aside, and ultimately did the same when GOP leadership attempted to put forward McCarthy to replace him – as many conservatives said they wouldn’t support Boehner’s right hand man.
Now they’re saying Ryan wouldn’t be accepted either.
Since McCarthy decided to withdraw from the Speaker race on Thursday afternoon, media reports have suggested that Ryan would be the member who could unite the party, but those reports seem to be wrong, according to sources close to Breitbart News.
Breitbart News’ Julia Hahn spoke to several senior GOP House aides who say Ryan wouldn’t be able to get 218 votes to secure the speakership, the same issue McCarthy faced.
“Paul Ryan is responsible for the House passing bailouts for Wall Street through TARP, with regular folks who are struggling to make ends meet paying the bill,” one senior House GOP aide for an influential conservative member told Breitbart News. “There are a lot of members who have problems with that kind of leadership. It’s Boehner policy with a different face.”
“He’s not conservative,” a senior GOP aide to a different conservative member said of Ryan, noting he probably wouldn’t have a shot at the speakership if he did run.
“It would be tough [to see Ryan get 218 votes],” a third senior GOP aide—this one to a senior House Freedom Caucus member—also told Breitbart News.
Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) said the reports about Ryan being able to unite the party are part of a media creation.
“I think that’s more media-driven. I think that’s you guys who keep talking about Paul Ryan,” Fleming said, according to The Hill. “Paul has made it clear he’s not interested.”
Conservatives say Ryan is the wrong choice for Speaker of the House because of his stance on immigration, budget history and that he pushed through President Obama’s Trade Promotion Authority, despite the lack of transparency surrounding the now finalized Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact.
“Rep. Steve King (R-IA), the chairman of the Conservative Opportunity Society, wants any Speakership candidate to pledge to oppose amnesty—something Ryan is unlikely to do,” reported Breitbart’s Julia Hahn, based on Ryan’s past stance on immigration and as Democrat Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) – who believes his “only one loyalty” is to immigrants – endorsed Ryan for Speaker, saying he’s a “guiding light” on immigration.
“Proven by his record, Chairman Ryan would be the same type of leader as outgoing Speaker Boehner. Ryan voted to give special rights to homosexuals in 2007 (ENDA), he voted to bail out Wall Street in 2008 (TARP), and upon becoming Chairman of the Budget Committee in 2011, he used his position of power to help punish conservatives for voting their conscience,” founder and chairman of the Eagle Forum Phyllis Schlafly said of Ryan’s record not appealing to conservatives.
“This year, he voted to fund President Obama’s unconstitutional amnesty, and as chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means committee, he championed the massive power giveaway to President Obama through Trade Promotion Authority. Just ten days ago, he voted to continue funding Planned Parenthood in spite of a federal investigation into their immoral practices.”
Americans for Limited Government Rick Manning shares concerns over Ryan’s record, especially relating to Obama’s trade deal.
“The House needs to do better than giving us a guy from a labor district, who will be pushing to solidify Obama’s disastrous vision for the world economy,” Manning told Breitbart News.
Conservative lawmakers blasted Boehner for calling an end to the conference Thursday once his choice withdrew from the race, as Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) were still options to be debated, according to The Hill.
“Reps. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) stood up during Friday’s closed-door GOP conference meeting and confronted Boehner about his decision to postpone Thursday’s election immediately after McCarthy’s shocking announcement, according to sources in the room.”
“Boehner spokeswoman Emily Schillinger said the Speaker was well within the conference rules to ask that the elections be delayed. “He made a motion to adjourn the conference meeting, and no member objected,” she said in an email.”
There are other names being discussion as potential additional options for the GOP, according to Politico.
“More than a half-dozen GOP lawmakers are considering running to lead the fractious Republican Conference if Ryan doesn’t step up. Texas Rep. Mike Conaway and Tennessee Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Diane Black have all been approached about jumping into the race. Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, California Rep. Darrell Issa and Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole are considering making a play for the speaker’s gavel as well.”
“And Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Florida Rep. Daniel Webster are continuing their bids to become the next speaker.”
The House is on recess over the upcoming week, but several members are using that time to decide whether or not they should pursue a run for Speaker.
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