Paul Ryan not seeking re-election
House Speaker Paul Ryan will retire from Congress and his powerful role as speaker is a stunning development for Republicans who looked to him as one of their top institutional leaders.
He’s one of the few politicians who seems able to maneuver institutional Washington without completely alienating the party’s base. And despite his protestations that it does not, his decision must have something to do with the anticipated Republican clobbering this fall.
The ramifications of Ryan’s departure are going to be widespread. From the fight to replace his individual seat to the fight to fill his role as speaker, Ryan won’t exactly be a captain going down with the ship.
