As further proof that becoming a GOP lightening rod all but guarantees consideration in the Republican presidential primary, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) threw his support behind a presidential bid from his friend and fellow political ally, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).
Cantor didn’t hesitate when asked whether Ryan, the author of the House GOP’s budget and controversial plan to privatize parts of Medicare, should run for the White House in 2012 during a Monday briefing with reporters.
“Sure,” Cantor replied. “Paul’s about real leadership. I think that that’s what this public so desperately wants to do right now. They don’t want to see individuals just dismiss problems that we can just sweep under the rug.”
Even though Democrats have seized on his Medicare proposal and its become increasingly unpopular in the polls, Ryan in the past 24 hours has become the focus of a political chatter about a potential presidential bid as other prominent Republicans bowed out of the race and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) campaign stumbled right out of the starting gate over his criticism of the Ryan Medicare plan.
Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Ryan repeatedly denied he was running, although he didn’t rule it out.
Cantor also told reporters that candidates for the Republican presidential nomination should embrace the Ryan budget, including the Medicare proposal.
“I’m looking for them to embrace our formula for the Ryan budget,” he said. “I’m looking for them to embrace a leadership role that takes the tough positions.”
Last week Cantor lead the backlash against Gingrich’s criticism of the House GOP budget.
