Last night, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that he would run for Speaker if he could have the support of the whole Republican caucus. Ryan told theGOP conference in a closed door meeting that he would seek the top spot only if he received the endorsement of the three largest GOP groups—the Freedom Caucus, the Republican Study Committee, and the Tuesday Group. Ryan informally met with the Freedom Caucus on Tuesday and will meet with the Republican Study Committee on Wednesday/this morning and the Freedom Caucus this afternoon.
The House Freedom Caucus has made it know that collectively they are wary about Ryan’s “demands” saying he’s setting them up for the blame if he ultimately doesn’t run. It is generally acknowledged by members of the Freedom Caucus that the larger GOP conference views Ryan as the only member able to get 218 votes, and group as a whole would be blamed for stopping his candidacy if they don’t support him. Many members of the conservative caucus worked to oust Speaker John Boehner and claimed victory earlier this month when Boehner announced he would step down. The members are concerned that Ryan is unwilling to make tangible promises to change the policies and rules governing how the House operates.
First this morning after Ryan’s announcement, Speaker John Boehner stated that the internal Republican election for speaker will be October 28, and the floor election will be October 29.