Hinting at the possibility of a 2016 presidential bid, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) on Thursday said he didn’t think the criticisms his fellow Republicans aimed at the budget deal he crafted with Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) would put a dent in his political plans.
“People always say, ‘Well this could hurt you with your future ambitions,’” Ryan told ABC News. “If I’m not good at this job, why should I ask somebody for another job?”
The Wisconsin Republican said it’s his duty to do things like push forward a budget bill, rather than “cloud my judgement with political ambition.”
“But for all these people who say I’m hurting my political ambitions,” Ryan told ABC News, “that’s just not my concern.”
Both Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who are also believed to have presidential ambitions, were vocal about their opposition to the budget agreement.
