Rachel Maddow gets the real scoop on Paul Ryan acquiescing to Freedom Caucus
It was not immediately evident the price Paul Ryan would have to pay to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. Paul Ryan gave the impression that he did not want the job. He said his dream position was the position he currently has which is the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Rachel Maddow reported the deal he made with the intransigent Freedom Caucus.
The beltway media have long been enamored with Paul Ryan. They consider him the wonder boy, the numbers genius of the Republican Party. This inasmuch as Ryan never ever released a credible budget. It seemed as if the beltway media were willing Paul Ryan into the job of being Speaker of the House.
After meeting with his caucus a few days earlier, Paul Ryan emerged and gave a press conference. In the press conference he gave his demands for taking the job. He seemed forceful and resolute.
Ryan said he insisted on several conditions he expects his colleagues to answer by the end of the week. The stipulations included: Republicans will stop being “an opposition party;” Republicans need to “update House rules so everyone can be a more effective representative;” the conference needs to unify “now;” Ryan cannot and will not give up time with his family.
Paul Ryan gave the impression that he was setting the terms. He had the body language of the one dictating the terms. And the beltway media bought it all. Rachel Maddow illustrated that it is all a farce. Paul Ryan in effect was forced to take immigration off the table as confirmed in a letter from Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL).
Rachel Maddow made a prescient statement. “Paul Ryan doing a written deal with Mr. ‘Let’s impeach Hillary Clinton on day one’ to make sure, to promise that immigration reform absolutely, positively will not happen,” Rachel Maddow said. “Keep that in mind the next time somebody gives you that facile beltway lip service about how Republicans really want to do immigration reform too.”
Anyone who thinks Paul Ryan did not want the Speaker’s job cannot read the tea leaves. It will be a long time before a president Paul Ryan is viable. Being second in line to the presidency, even if one has to work with the Freedom Caucus, is very alluring. In this case the placating of the Freedom Caucus makes it that more pleasant.