He didn’t want to be Tom Foley.
Foley was speaker of the house in 1994 when the Republican wave ended four decades of democratic control of the house of representatives. Foley, D-Wash., lost a year of his re-election race in a shocking upset, and Democrats are to regain majority in the house for a dozen years.
Tom Williams/roll call/Getty images FILEFormer the speaker of the house of representatives Tom Foley has the honour during a ceremony in statuary hall of the Capitol historical society freedom, Dec. 3 2007,.
Announcing his retirement from Congress, Ryan, R-WIS., precedes a gathering political storm. Although few thought he was in serious danger of losing in November, the same cannot be said for the majority in the House of representatives he leads.
“It is a great indicator that the speaker does not think he will be on Wednesday the speaker of the podcast,” former Governor Chris Christie, R-N. J., said on ABC’s “Locomotive.” “If you’re a gambler, you bet on the Democrats for the house this fall.”
Ryan brushed aside such concerns, saying that Wednesday’s press conference that Republicans would be “just fine” if they continue to do their work in tandem with President Donald trump.
But retiring Ryan already read as a signal to donors and even many of his colleagues that he believes that the Republicans may lose control of the house this year. Insiders in both parties expect more GOP retirements, and the money that could have flowed to save the jobs of employees at risk of extinction almost certainly wind flows in different location.
“Now its time will be interpreted as a recognition that the home is lost. Donors of course are going to shift the focus to the Senate,” said Dan Eberhart, AZ-businessman and major Republican donor.
It also leaves the already fractious Republican conference leader a lame duck for the remainder of the year. Ryan said he intends to “run through the tape” and complete his current term, but the prospects for Legislative development under the Dim glow of perhaps the country’s leadership struggles and fears election bloodbath.
Carlos Barria/Reuters, FILEPresident Donald trump shakes hands with speaker of the house Paul Ryan (R) as he celebrates with the Republicans in Congress once the US Congress passed radical legislation, tax overhaul, the White house in Washington, D.C., Dec. 20 in 2017.
In a broader sense, the departure of Ryan signals the ultimate triumph Trumpism for conservatism and the Republican party, Ryan came of political age. Ryan, so far in just two years shy of 50-years anniversary, was a disciple of former Congressman Jack Kemp, brought up in the Reagan years, with a firm belief in open markets, limited government and individual liberty.
He cultivated relationships like a nerd is a science geek, earning a spot on the top of the house budget Committee and as a partner of MITT Romney on the presidential ticket in 2012. According to the disposition and policy, he could not be more different than the man who took on the Republican party, four years later, with its economic nationalism and bold, even vulgar behavior.
Ryan stretched his endorsement of trump for a month, after he, in fact, secured the nomination for President. He then broke again later with the candidate, telling colleagues he will not help trump win in the General election after the “Hollywood” tape appeared in October 2016.
Then came the new head of Ryan, who may ultimately determine his legacy more than anything in his two decades in public life. The speaker largely put aside personal agreement with trump to become the tip of the spear in his program – rarely allowing daylight between his public position and the President.
“I am grateful to the President for giving us the opportunity to do great things to make this country on the right path,” Ryan said in announcing his decision to leave Congress.
This is unlikely the end of a distinguished career, who are faced with this incredible era in American politics. Ryan will leave with much to gain, and the trump card remains the dominant political figure in his party and in the country with unpredictable consequences for all participants.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
