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GOP Convention Leadership in Chaos as Ryan Says He Would Step Down
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 12:47 PM
By: Joe Crowe
Paul Ryan has offered to step out from the Republican National Committee chairman job if Donald Trump asks him to do so, throwing the committee's leadership into uncertainty.
Ryan and Trump have been at odds over the presumed GOP nominee's fiery rhetoric and Ryan's attempts to promote a Republican agenda outside the presidential race.
The traditional holder of the chairman job is the highest-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. That's Ryan, the speaker of the House.
A report in Politico said that a committee of 100 delegates would decide who would lead the committee if Ryan exits. The Committee On Permanent Organization contains one man and one woman from each state.
The Wisconsin congressman will meet with Trump on May 12 to discuss the situation. The two officials below Ryan, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, are both supporting Trump.
Trump has not asked Ryan to leave the chairman job, but a report in The New York Times said that he hasn't ruled it out. Recent comments by Ryan and Trump may show a willingness to hash out their differences.
Trump told CNN about Ryan, "I've always liked him," according to the Politico report. Ryan said to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that "I wish I had more time to get to know him."
Who chairs the committee at the convention is a vital task, according to NBC News. The chairperson can make important procedural calls, such as rejecting voice votes on controversial issues.
Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan said Ryan must fall in line with Trump, or he must be removed. Buchanan compared Ryan's position to climbing "out on a long limb," which would lead to Trump having to "saw it off."
