Ryan’s Job Is Only Getting Harder

David Wasserman: “Paul Ryan’s decision to throw Trump under the bus to save his majority, and Trump’s decision to lash out at Ryan as ‘weak and ineffective,’ could have even greater ramifications in January than November. That’s because if Democrats cut Ryan’s majority in half, the GOP’s losses are much likelier to come from the ranks of Ryan loyalists than Trump loyalists or the Freedom Caucus.”

“Such an outcome could make Ryan’s job miserable in 2017. If Clinton wins, would Ryan even want to run for speaker when the job would probably entail breaking the ‘Hastert Rule’ just to keep the government open or avoid debt default – incurring the wrath of his own party? And if Trump blames Ryan’s stiff-arm for his loss, could Ryan even muster enough Republicans to win the race for speaker without resorting to pursuing Democratic votes?”

Politico: “With GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump cratering in the polls and the House Republican majority at serious risk, Ryan’s post-election career could take a number of different turns after Nov. 8 – none of them especially attractive. And as Ryan goes, so will Washington governance over the next few years.”