Republican presidential candidates voice their opinions about Paul Ryan

Would it be fairer to blame the so-called Freedom Caucus that opposed McCarthy, a few dozen hard-core Republicans who apparently didn’t come to Washington to govern but to tear the place down? Ryan had no comment following the gathering of GOP lawmakers earlier in the morning.

The leader of the House Republicans’ most powerful conservative caucus said Sunday that his group would consider Rep. Paul Ryan as the chamber’s next speaker.

Boehner said he would remain in his job until a new speaker was installed, an ironic effect considering conservatives’ desire to shove him out the door.

Johnson said at a luncheon hosted by Wispolitics.com that he didn’t know if Ryan is interested in running for the leadership post, but that he sent him a text saying he was praying for him. The Freedom caucus has said they will use the same criteria and interview any other speaker candidates should they decide to enter the race.

The caucus, which includes many Republicans from the smaller-government Tea Party movement, has endorsed long-shot Representative Daniel Webster for the speakership.

“I’ve talked with Paul Ryan. But I think he is a very good person”. Ryan’s entry into the race, though, would change that landscape.

Meanwhile, a slew of establishment Republicans doubled down on their belief that Ryan was the man for the job.

Nevertheless, a growing number of Republican leaders have begun pressuring the former vice presidential candidate to run for the job, believing he’s the only one who can unite the party. He’s previously said the position is best suited for an “empty nester”.

Denying that the House of Representatives has descended into chaos since the top contender for the speaker’s chair abruptly stepped down this week, U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., welcomed the emergence of a unifying candidate who could gain the support of moderate Republicans and more conservative dissenters like himself.

Sources say Ryan has not shut the door to the prospect, and he will listen to his colleague’s pitches at today’s private GOP meeting.

“My guess is, even as speaker, Paul would be able to exert a fair amount of influence in terms of policy”, Johnson continued.

So, the Republicans have enough votes to elect any speaker they’d like to.

But despite the many entreaties, the House adjourned for a weeklong recess Friday, and Ryan left his suitors wanting, returning to his family and advisers in Janesville, Wis., to discuss his future, and, he said, to watch the Green Bay Packers game Sunday.

Chaffetz said those descriptions were “a little dramatic”.

Ryan and more than a dozen other key Republicans sent a letter to House leaders yesterday urging them not to make any snap decisions in the wake of McCarthy’s departure.

Ryan told reporters in Washington on Friday he had “nothing to add” when asked if he had changed his mind about running for House speaker.

Also signing were Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster and Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes.