Will Paul Ryan Take the Job?

First Read: “As of this writing, there’s a very good chance we’ll see Rep. Paul Ryan, chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, relent and take the speaker’s job — even if temporarily — even though he and his office have tried to shut the door at every opportunity. On MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ this morning, Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) said he was fairly confident that Ryan would take the job. So why would Ryan take it, despite all of his earlier statements? It might come down to this: If not him, then who? But the window to pressure Ryan might be short — if House Republicans don’t get him to acquiesce today, then there is the possibility he’s able to close the door once and for all.”

“It’s worth pointing out: House Republican rebels and the House Freedom Caucus have now gotten three political scalps over the past year — Eric Cantor (who lost his primary in 2014), John Boehner (who announced he’s stepping down two weeks ago), and Kevin McCarthy (who yesterday abandoned his bid to run for speaker). The House GOP’s original 1-2-3 are essentially gone.”