Reid offers surprise support for Ryan as speaker

[rangerrebew]

Reid offers surprise support for Ryan as speaker

By Burgess Everett

10/20/15 03:09 PM EDT

Harry Reid just gave Paul Ryan an unwelcome endorsement for speaker.

The Democratic leader offered his surprise backing for Ryan (R-Wis.) to assume the House speakership, saying he hopes Ryan runs and wins the job because he's a "Paul Ryan fan."

"He appears to me to be one of the people over there that would be reasonable. I mean look at some of the other people," Reid said. "I don't agree with him on much of what he does. I think what he's done with Medicare and Medicaid, what he's wanted to do I disagree with. But generally speaking we've been able to work with him."

Indeed, Ryan's work with Reid lieutenant Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on a two-year budget deal in 2013 remains a bipartisan highlight for a Congress otherwise beset by gridlock. But did Reid hurt Ryan by praising him?

The Nevada Democrat shrugged when asked if he was giving Ryan a kiss of death as the Wisconsin lawmaker weighs a speakers bid amid ever-growing criticism from the right for his policy positions.
 
"I just speak the truth," Reid said. "If it helps him fine, if it doesn't that's too bad."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/the-gavel/2015/10/harry-reid-endorse-paul-ryan-house-speaker-214970

[Longiron]

Just proves their is no difference between the RinoGOP and the Lib Party. 

[Oceander]

Just proves their is no difference between the RinoGOP and the Lib Party. 

Proves nothing of the sort.

[libertybele]

Proves nothing of the sort.

'

How do you figure?  Harry Reid supporting the next Speaker of the House indicates that the DEMS are still in control of the GOPe/aka/RINO's/aka/OBREP

[Fishrrman]

I wouldn't be inclined to support ANYONE that Mr. Reid "supports" ...

[Oceander]

'

How do you figure?  Harry Reid supporting the next Speaker of the House indicates that the DEMS are still in control of the GOPe/aka/RINO's/aka/OBREP

No.  It demonstrates that Reid wants people to think that.  It could just as easily be something like "please don't throw me in the briar patch" - i.e., Reid wants conservatives & republicans to turn against Ryan by making them think that he likes Ryan, because Reid is really afraid of Ryan.

[libertybele]

No.  It demonstrates that Reid wants people to think that.  It could just as easily be something like "please don't throw me in the briar patch" - i.e., Reid wants conservatives & republicans to turn against Ryan by making them think that he likes Ryan, because Reid is really afraid of Ryan.

Well, you are entitled to your opinion; but Ryan is a OBREP anyway you cut it.  Reid afraid of Ryan?  Really?  Why?

[Carling]

No.  It demonstrates that Reid wants people to think that.  It could just as easily be something like "please don't throw me in the briar patch" - i.e., Reid wants conservatives & republicans to turn against Ryan by making them think that he likes Ryan, because Reid is really afraid of Ryan.

Reid is retiring.  He has zero influence at this point in terms of swaying anybody in the House with a brain.  He endorses Ryan because Ryan will work with Democrats.  Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is what remains to be seen in terms of Ryan's leadership.  I happen to like Paul Ryan, and think he may be a decent Speaker, depending what he says prior to any vote.

[libertybele]

Reid is retiring.  He has zero influence at this point in terms of swaying anybody in the House with a brain.  He endorses Ryan because Ryan will work with Democrats.  Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is what remains to be seen in terms of Ryan's leadership.  I happen to like Paul Ryan, and think he may be a decent Speaker.

It is one thing to work with the DEMS but quite another to side with them and make deals and sell the GOP down the river.

[Scottftlc]

What does OBREP stand for?

[libertybele]

What does OBREP stand for?

Obama Republican /aka/ GOPe /aka/ RINO, etc.   Apparently it's not "nice" or acceptable to some to use the word "RINO".

[rangerrebew]

Reid is retiring.  He has zero influence at this point in terms of swaying anybody in the House with a brain.   

How is it, then, McConnell can't get anything passed?  If Reid has no influence, someone in the party must be pulling some mighty strong strings but no one is talking about.

[DCPatriot]

Reid is retiring.  He has zero influence at this point in terms of swaying anybody in the House with a brain.  He endorses Ryan because Ryan will work with Democrats.  Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is what remains to be seen in terms of Ryan's leadership.  I happen to like Paul Ryan, and think he may be a decent Speaker, depending what he says prior to any vote.

Or.....it could be as simple as being able to dust off the TV spot of Ryan rolling granny off the cliff in her wheelchair.     

[GourmetDan]

Well, you are entitled to your opinion; but Ryan is a OBREP anyway you cut it.  Reid afraid of Ryan?  Really?  Why?

Does that mean that if Reid supports Her Heinous for president... that he's pulling the ol' bait 'n switcheroo and is really in the bag for Trump?   

[EC]

With Dingy Harry, nothing would surprise me. Guy's got a mind like a Klein bottle.

[alicewonders]

With Dingy Harry, nothing would surprise me. Guy's got a mind like a Klein bottle.

Had to look that one up - but you're right! 

[mystery-ak]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20151021/us--house-republicans-c91e8f7745.html

Fractious House conservatives resist Ryan's call to unify

Oct 21, 4:58 PM (ET)

By ERICA WERNER

 WASHINGTON (AP) — Fractious conservatives resisted Paul Ryan's appeals to rally around him for House speaker Wednesday, suggesting fresh trouble ahead in the Republican-on-Republican struggle between pragmatists and purists. The fight has rendered Congress almost dysfunctional and shaken the party's presidential campaign.

The conservatives' reactions cast doubt on whether Ryan, the GOP's 2012 vice presidential nominee, can get the buy-in from all factions of the House he says he needs to run for speaker.

The Wisconsin congressman, a reluctant candidate for the post, has been asked to run by mainstream party leaders seeking to resolve a crisis set in motion when compromise-averse conservatives pushed Speaker John Boehner to resign and then pressured his likely successor into withdrawing.

The same intraparty divide is roiling the Republicans' presidential campaign, with outsiders led by Donald Trump dominating the field for months.

continued

[Right_in_Virginia]

Does that mean that if Reid supports Her Heinous for president... that he's pulling the ol' bait 'n switcheroo and is really in the bag for Trump?    

Now that's funny, and I don't care who you are!   

[Oceander]

Well, you are entitled to your opinion; but Ryan is a OBREP anyway you cut it.  Reid afraid of Ryan?  Really?  Why?

And you're entitled to yours, no matter how wrong.