Will Paul Ryan eventually endorse Trump?

[Ronnie]

Go.

[Lyin' Steve]

What choice does he have?  He's the leader of his party.

[Fargobison]

It's going to make for very awkward time in Cleveland if he doesn't.

[Xing]

He will, reluctantly.

[Orser67]

Probably, but I could see either a)Trump alienating him personally and/or ideologically or b)Ryan deciding to cut loose on a seemingly-unpopular nominee.

Even if Republicans lose in 2016, it won't be the end of the world for them so long as they hold onto the House. And they'd likely pick up a lot of seats in 2018 and have another shot in 2020. What would be terrible for Republicans is if they lose control of the presidency and Congress due to a deeply unpopular presidential nominee, and Democrats pass legislation like it's 2010. So I do think that Ryan, as a party leader, has things to consider besides defeating Hillary Clinton.

[Mr. Morden]

He will.  Though it honestly wouldn't surprise me, if Trump is losing badly in the polls in October and threatening to drag down the rest of the party with him, to see numerous leading Republicans (maybe including Ryan) latch onto whatever Trump's latest outrageous comment is and call it an Akin-esque disqualifier, using it as a pretext to withdraw their endorsements of Trump.  It would be a last ditch effort to disassociate the Republican brand from Trump before his landslide defeat.

[BlueSwan]

Yes. But realistically he's gonna be hoping that Trump loses. Sets up a strong 2018 midterm and sets Ryan up as the prohibitive favourite for the 2020 nomination.

[Figueira]

I know this is Paul Ryan we're talking about, but I'm still going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

[Torie]

Paul Ryan: "Mr. Trump and I met, and we were able to achieve enough agreement on a policy agenda for this nation, that I am pleased to say that I personally will be supporting him for President. But this is an individual decision for each of us to make, and I respect those who come to another judgment on this issue."

In other words, Ryan ala a vote in the House of Commons, will basically say that it is a conscience vote, and party members will not be whipped into voting one way or the other.

That is my guess. It's called damage control.

[Slander and/or Libel]

Politically, yes.


Personally, no.


Nonetheless, Ryan will not be the next GOP nominee and has no chance at being president.

Yup. This is exactly why Ryan didn't want to be Speaker. He's going to be required to do stuff that'll damage him politically to the point where he likely has no hope of running for president.

[Ronnie]

I don't think Ryan is even considering whether Trump is going to lose.  He's going to lose.  He just wants to preserve as many house seats as he can.

[Santander]

Of course. He's putting on a show for the sake of his political career, but at the end of the day, he is a hack with no principles.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Trump only got 32% in Ryan's district, which is also something of a swing district in Presidential elections.  It's not in his political interest to endorse.

[SillyAmerican]

Trump only got 32% in Ryan's district, which is also something of a swing district in Presidential elections.  It's not in his political interest to endorse.

Yeah. I suppose Ryan will be voting for Clinton; that sounds about right.

[IceSpear]

Of course. He's putting on a show for the sake of his political career, but at the end of the day, he is a hack with no principles.

[ProudModerate2]

I voted "Yes" when this poll was first created.
But now, my answer should be "No" if a third party conservative enters the race.
In that case, Ryan may endorse this other individual.

[Meclazine for Israel]

Paul Ryan will endorse Trump.

But first, Paul will want to explain to Donald the history of the republican party and how Presidential nominees are expected to behave.

Trump will fold and get into line eventually when he realises the extra votes that are at stake, excuse the pun.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Trump only got 32% in Ryan's district, which is also something of a swing district in Presidential elections.  It's not in his political interest to endorse.

With local talk radio backing Cruz I would point out. Rush and Hannity are backing Trump and already attacking Ryan as a being part of the out of touch DC GOP establishment over this.

Also Ryan's primary opponent, while Trumpist on trade and immigration, could just as easily be considered Tea Party on fiscal issues.

[HAnnA MArin County]

I love seeing this civil war going on in the Republican Party. The Tea Party couldn't destroy it, but I'm hoping Trump will.

[Ronnie]

I love seeing this civil war going on in the Republican Party. The Tea Party couldn't destroy it, but I'm hoping Trump will.

I'm mainly looking forward to the events that follow his loss.  Will the party purge all the Trumpians and then pretend like the 2016 cycle never happened, or will it undergo a structural upheaval?  

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I love seeing this civil war going on in the Republican Party. The Tea Party couldn't destroy it, but I'm hoping Trump will.

I'm mainly looking forward to the events that follow his loss.  Will the party purge all the Trumpians and then pretend like the 2016 cycle never happened, or will it undergo a structural upheaval?  

The last time they tried to purge all anti-amnesty voices, they got Trump. If they are stupid enough to try that again, 2016 will look tame compared to 2020.

[President Johnson]

He has no choice. But it doesn't matter. TRUMP doesn't need him.

[Mr. Morden]

The latest NYT reporting suggests that the Ryan-Trump relationship may have broken down to the point where Ryan will never endorse him…unless Trump suddenly starts acting like a normal candidate, and drops the immature behavior:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/07/us/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump.html?_r=0

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