re: #143 KGxvi

There’s a certain logic to Ryan stepping down as Speaker now, it potentially gives the GOP someone to rally around as a congressional leader in the midterms. It can sort of work to give voters a sense of continuity, if they are inclined to support Republicans (narrator: they are not). And perhaps rallying around a new speaker gives them a chance to try and do something before the election (narrator: that would be a mistake).

On the flip side, the new Speaker could be a Trumpian disaster. In which case, it could make the GOP losses in November even worse. My guess is the leadership in place right now sees this as the more likely outcome (imagine the new Speaker deciding to take up Wall funding or a bill to reduce legal immigration or some other wingnut wet dream in the six months before the midterms).

Hold on: is Paul Ryan bolting immediately, or did he merely say he wouldn’t be runnning for reelection?