House Speaker Paul Ryan is concerned that members of the Republican party were “flirting with progressive ideas,” according to an article from Time Magazine released yesterday. Ryan was addressing a group of 400 Republican party donors. These donors had given at least $100,000 each to groups associated with Charles and David Koch, wealthy businessmen and well known Republican financiers.
A Fractured Republican Party
Ryan framed the election as a fight for the essence of the party:
“We are flirting with various forms of progressivism, and there are Republican forms of progressivism. Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican. We have to thoroughly debunk it, repudiate it.”
The Speaker seems worried that the Republican party is in disarray. It makes sense. Donald Trump becoming the nominee has destroyed the unity that was once a Republican forte. They disagree on issues like trade and immigration.
Trump’s inflammatory style brings attention that is unlike anything the party has experienced in recent memory. Ryan has publicly criticized Trump and his comments for being over the top on numerous occasions.
At the event, Ryan talked around the issue of Donald Trump, despite having previously endorsed him. He merely remarked:
“We have a different kind of nominee now. It’s unique.”
Will Paul Ryan Rescind His Endorsement?
Will that lukewarm approval of Trump last? Recently, other members of congress urged Ryan to withdraw his endorsement of the Republican nominee. The letter paints Trump as racist, sexist, and bigoted. The signatories of the letter are all Democrats – Ted Lieu (Calif.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), and Seth Moulton (Mass.). In spite of this, it seems that they seek to reach across the aisle and appeal to Ryan (and other Republicans) in terms of common decency.
Indeed, it seems that many Republicans are becoming disenchanted with Trump. Others never much cared for him in the first place. Despite the fact that Trump ostensibly represents their party some Republicans can’t bring themselves to vote for him. Even the aforementioned Charles Koch, according to the L.A. Times, stated:
“At this point, I can’t support either candidate.”
Will the party be able to come together for a common cause, or will their differences tear them apart? During his speech Ryan stated that the nation was having “clearly an interesting moment.” On that, we certainly agree.
This isn’t the first time Paul Ryan has tiptoed around Trump during a speaking engagement. Here he is at the RNC. Can you count how many times he says the name “Trump?”
Featured Image Courtesy Of Gage Skidmore On Flickr, Available Under CC Attribution License.
