Boehner Confident Paul Ryan Will Gain Support He Needs To Be Speaker

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, joined by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., takes reporters' questions, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, as House Republicans s... House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, joined by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., takes reporters' questions, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, as House Republicans signaled support for a budget deal worked out yesterday between Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. The budget deal was one of a few major measures left on Congress' to-do list near the end of a bruising year that has produced a partial government shutdown, a flirtation with a first-ever federal default and gridlock on President Obama's agenda. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) seemed confident on Wednesday morning that Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) will be able to unite Republicans and win the speakership election at the end of the month.

The outgoing speaker told reporters that he believes Ryan will make a great speaker, but that members will ultimately have to make the decision.

He was asked whether he felt the House Freedom Caucus, a secretive group of conservative members that has already expressed skepticism about Ryan’s bid, would support Ryan after pushing to oust Boehner.

In response, the speaker touted Ryan’s “good relationships with all the wings of the party,” citing that as the key reason the congressman could unite the party.

Boehner reminded the Freedom Caucus that “this is not about us.”

“Our job is to do the right thing for the American people every day,” he said.

Some members have also expressed concern about Ryan’s demand that he spend more time with his family and less time traveling then previous speakers. Boehner told reporters on Wednesday that he worked with Ryan to develop a strategy to help Ryan spend time at home while also fulfilling his leadership duties.

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Notable Replies

  1. Ah, so you’ve found a way to kick your 40 lunatics (well, super-lunatics? given the rest aren’t all that stable either) to the curb then? Maybe you should have tried that 4 years ago.

  2. That’s a perfect photo choice for the story…

  3. Boehner reminded the Freedom Caucus that “this is not about
    us.”

    The caucus immediately fired back, “Yes it is, Old Man.”

  4. Says the man who couldn’t lead a dog on a leash to a dead squirrel.

  5. Avatar for meri meri says:

    God, if Ryan can’t get the votes I’ll likely end up in the hospital with massive hernia from all my laughing.

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