House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) caused quite a stir Sept. 25 announcing his early retirement under heavy pressure from the House’s conservative Freedom Caucus, led by religious conservative Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Jordan put his foot down when Boehner’s pre-picked successor Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) self-destructed on Fox News, telling host Sean Hannity that the Benghazi Select Committee worked in damaging former Secretary of State and Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid. Once McCarthy withdrew his name Oct. 9, it was inevitable that 45-year-old House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) would toss his hat in the ring. Ryan, who served as 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s running mate, declined interest in House Speaker while McCarthy looked like Boehner’s replacement.
Once McCarthy proved he wasn’t ready for prime time, 48-year-old Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Ut.) and 66-year-old Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fl.) tossed their hats into the ring. Neither of the two holds a candle to Ryan, who’s earned his conservative chops shutting down the U.S. government Sept. 30, 2013 for 17-days trying to de-fund President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. While Ryan’s steered clear of high profile politics since taking a licking in 2012 losing badly to Obama, he’s a throwback to the uncompromising days that watched some 800,000 government workers loose paychecks for 17 days. “Although he’s ruled himself out, it’s very clear he’s considering,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), one of the House’s loudest Obama-haters. “The fact is, his time is now,” said Issa, certain that Ryan will respond to the call to serve a House Speaker.
Despite appeasing the Tea Party, religious conservatives and what emerged as the Freedom Caucus, Boehner was out-of-step with the growing ultraconservative faction within the House GOP. Pushed out by religious and social conservatives, Boehner tried run the House in a statesman-like way, trying to keep party zealots from doing stupid things, like shutting down the government again over relentless right wing propaganda against 100-year-old Planned Parenthood. No matter how distorted and perverse the propaganda, GOP candidates, like 61-year-old former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, exploit the pro-life mythology for primary votes. “Chairman Ryan appreciates the support he’s getting from his colleagues but is still not running for speaker,” said Ryan spokesman Brendan Buck. Playing hard-to-get, Ryan won’t eventually say “no” to his doting GOP caucus.
McCarthy’s stunning fall from grace shows how less disciplined politicians often get carried away spouting off on friendly national TV talks shows, especially Fox News. Hannity was clueless how he bated McCarthy Sept. 30 into destroying his political career. Benghazi Select Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) had harsh words for McCarthy. “Kevin screwed up,” Gowdy told CNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Oct. 7. By the time McCarthy resigned, only the media expressed ‘shock” over how the “shoe in” to replace Boehner as House Speaker went down in one big gaffe. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) fully expects Ryan to reconsider taking over for Boehner. “He needs to talk with his family first. But I’m optimistic,” said Rogers, giving the best clue yet that the GOP’s chaos could be over quickly. Boehner pleaded with the GOP caucus to find a consensus candidate.
Boehner’s problems with the GOP’s factions were on full display. “It’s not helpful for one group or member to say they will only vote for this candidate on the floor,” said Boehner, referring the Conservative Freedom Caucus that seeks to put Webster in the speaker’s job. When compared to Ryan, Webster lacks the youth and charisma needed to lead the GOP-dominated House. Ryan, a former House Budget Committee Chairman, knows the ins-and-outs of appropriations, especially facing the Treasury Department’s new debt-ceiling request Nov. 5. Looking to de-fund Planned Parenthood, the GOP could put Democrats over a barrel, facing another government shutdown. Ryan’s got the experience and clout after shutting down the government in 2013 over de-funding Obamacare. Ryan’s Tea Party zealotry could be tested taking on the job of House Speaker.
Making Ryan an offer he can’t refuse, the GOP caucus got the man they wanted all along, despite pretending to accept McCarthy. Ryan has the caché from running with Romney in 2012 and his high profile confrontations as House Budget Committee Chairman, shutting down the government in 2013. Now that Ryan’s in the picture, Boehner should get his wish to have the final vote for his replacement on Oct. 29. Agreeing to step aside if Ryan accepts as House Speaker, Chaffetz threw his support to the House Means and Ways Chairman. Ryan thought he had his dream job in the backroom tax writing committee. Taking the Speaker’s job thrusts Ryan back into the limelight, putting him as the face of the new GOP. Landing Ryan as House Speaker gives the GOP the fresh face needed to lead the House into the 2016 presidential and Congressional elections—and beyond.
