Speaker Paul Ryan said he doesn’t have “huge expectations” about his meeting Thursday with Donald Trump, other than to start the process of unifying the party after a “very bitter presidential primary”. “Republican senators need to stop waffling about Donald Trump”, Reid said.
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“He did it not kissing anybody’s behind, which I think is why so many people are supportive of him. And I’d like to have his support, but if he doesn’t want to support me that’s fine”.
“It takes time“, Ryan said.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin speaks at Iowa State University on January 19, 2016.
Speaker Ryan’s offer can be seen as the ultimate sacrifice for party unity, or as the ultimate concession to a polarizing presidential candidate. “I think he could be one of the greatest presidents if he sits down and puts together a good team”.
“Look, I’m going to get millions and millions of votes more than the Republicans would have gotten” without me, Trump said.
Ryan also spoke to the split in the GOP, with former president’s George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush both skipping the convention.
But pundits say Trump takes a big risk if he flouts party leaders’ support rather than reaching out to bring them and other reluctant Republicans on board as he readies his general-election bid against likely Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
‘I represent a very important group of people and a powerful group of people, ‘ Trump told CNN Monday.
Ryan told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday that he would be willing to step down as chairman if that’s what Trump wants.
But what does Ryan want from Trump?
“I don’t want to have a conversation with Donald Trump through the media”. And that is, as I have said, debt, open borders, illegal immigrants coming on over and receiving freebies left and right, instead of our own people, especially our vets, being able to receive the benefits that they have earned, growing government, that intrusion that the failed liberal agenda so perpetuates.
Last week, the Wisconsin Republican announced he wasn’t ready to support Trump, saying the businessman must do more to unify the GOP.
Asked about being Trump’s running mate, Palin said she might not be the best choice.
On Sunday, however, a defiant Trump suggested blocking Ryan from serving as the chair of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, a duty the congressman inherited when he became speaker a year ago, was a possibility if Ryan continued to withhold his endorsement.
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“I think there’s a real question about what happens after this race if Trump loses”, Wagner says.
