Paul Ryan Rules Out White House Run

[oberliner]

The Weekly Standard, which earlier this month reported that the Wisconsin Republican was seriously considering jumping into the GOP nominating contest, reports that Ryan has decided against a run once and for all.

"While humbled by the encouragement, I have not changed my mind, and therefore I am not seeking our party's nomination for President," Ryan told the magazine.

While it is unclear how serious Ryan was considering a 2012 bid, "the intensity of speculation that he might run is the really interesting thing here — it shows just how badly Republicans want another candidate to enter the race," the Washington Post reports.

http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/08/16/gop_2012_paul_ryan_said_to_be_eyeing_white_house_run.html

[earthside]

1. Maybe ...

... they can talk his dad, Herman, into to running instead.

[gateley]

2. Smart choice. His constituents would shred him. nt

[Little Star]

3. First smart move he's ever made!

[AndyTiedye]

4. Maybe his Focus Groups Said that Throwing Granny off a Cliff Wasn't Such a Hit With Voters After All

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGnE83A1Z4U

[Yavin4]

13. I Would Prefer An Ice Floe

More dignified.

[WhiteTara]

5. Those angry constituents sitting in his office

was a bit of a reality check.

[pa28]

6. IMO we really dodged a bullet here.

From what I've read the Republican establishment and big league donors were ready to line up behind Ryan. The media loves with him, he's telegenic, intelligent and aside from Huntsman he was the only one who seemed vaguely presidential.

If Michelle Bachman represents the chain saw wielding activist on social issues Paul Ryan would be more like the "American Psycho" equivalent on tax, trade and entitlement policy.

Maybe he's got some dirt or just doesn't want the job.

[Cosmocat]

10. nah ...

he simply is not viable as a presidential candidate at this point. The right likes him because he is young, but it is VERY hard for a representative to be a viable presidential candidate, and even more so from a low population state in the middle north of the country. Also, while he is a decent looking guy, he has modest personality. Not obnoxious, so it is not a negative, but for a guy most people in the country have never heard of, he has little personal appeal to make up the difference.

NOW, where I think he is a viable candidate is as VP ...

[pa28]

14. We'll be hearing more from Ryan.

He is going to be a top shelf VP choice.

I look at him in the same mold as David Cameron. A young and trusted idealist who can serve a managerial role in a corporate government.

[Cosmocat]

15. Yeah ...

I think whoever is at the top of the ticket, Ryan will be on the short list of VPs.

[Turbineguy]

7. Four dangerous idiots to choose from

would completely overwhelm the tea party.

[LiberalFighter]

8. There should be a draft Ryan wants to take your Medicare and Social Security

[lunatica]

9. Thank God! I don't think I could stand another bozo jumping out of the volkswagen

[oberliner]

11. I still think there may be more bozos to come

Chris Christie anyone?

[Chan790]

12. Please!!!

Where would the GOP primaries be without a candidate of Christie's stature & his girth of domestic policy expertise?

[opihimoimoi]

16. His own Polls told him it was Impossible.....Forget it.....he has listened

[rasputin1952]

17. After he got hammered in his district...

I'd say this was the one decision he made that makes sense.

Cantor can hang it up as well...:D