House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) heads for House Republican caucus meeting in the basement of the U.S. Capitol October 9, 2015 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
While yesterday’s news that House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy was dropping out of the race for Speaker of the House shocked everyone and sent Republicans on Capitol Hill into a frenzy, the question still remains: Who is the right person to be Speaker of the House?
Thus far, that answer seems to be Paul Ryan, at least for the GOP establishment. The Wisconsin Congressman and former vice presidential candidate’s name has been mentioned as a party favorite by several other members of Congress, including California’s Devin Nunes. However, Ryan’s camp remained adamant this morning that the Congressman will not run for Speaker.
A noted budget expert, Ryan was formerly head of the House Budget Committee and currently chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. But there are definitely still concerns about whether Ryan has the right personality to be Speaker. The last two Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner, have been more of the wheeling-and-dealing type of politician. Ryan is more of a wonk.
Is Paul Ryan the right Republican for the job? Which of his credentials do you think best qualify him for Speaker of the House?
Guests:
Craig Gilbert, political reporter and Washington Bureau Chief for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and author of ‘The Wisconsin Voter’ blog
Chuck Quirmbach, reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio who has covered Ryan for seventeen years