This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/presidential-run-not-off-the-table-for-paul-ryan/2014/10/30/ec448418-6032-11e4-8b9e-2ccdac31a031_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Presidential run not off the table for Paul Ryan Presidential run not off the table for Paul Ryan
(about 5 hours later)
MONROE, Wis. — Rep. Paul Ryan sat in the front booth of Baumgartner’s Cheese Shop and Tavern on a recent weekday, his wiry frame hunched over a plate filled with slices of smoked Gouda. He waved me over to take a seat. When the waitress stopped by, he told her, earnest as ever, that I would like a Limburger sandwich. He chuckled. “You know, that’s the worst smelling cheese they’ve got,” he said. MONROE, Wis. — Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) sat in the front booth of Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern on a recent weekday, his wiry frame hunched over a plate filled with slices of smoked Gouda. He waved me over to take a seat. When the waitress stopped by, he told her, earnest as ever, that I would like a Limburger sandwich. He chuckled. “You know, that’s the worst smelling cheese they’ve got,” he said.
That about sums up how Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman, feels about the media these days. Two years after his unsuccessful vice presidential run, the 44-year-old Republican has been typecast as a wonky House insider who is unlikely, if not unwilling, to run for president. Ryan’s lack of early maneuvering has helped feed the impression.That about sums up how Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman, feels about the media these days. Two years after his unsuccessful vice presidential run, the 44-year-old Republican has been typecast as a wonky House insider who is unlikely, if not unwilling, to run for president. Ryan’s lack of early maneuvering has helped feed the impression.
But over the course of an hour-long lunch and several refills of unsweetened tea, Ryan made clear that he is irritated by the conventional wisdom. He’s not a House “lifer,” he said. A presidential campaign remains a distinct possibility. And he brushed aside the head start by his potential rivals as unseemly positioning ahead of a midterm election. “I don’t see the point in it,” Ryan said. “It’s not fun.”But over the course of an hour-long lunch and several refills of unsweetened tea, Ryan made clear that he is irritated by the conventional wisdom. He’s not a House “lifer,” he said. A presidential campaign remains a distinct possibility. And he brushed aside the head start by his potential rivals as unseemly positioning ahead of a midterm election. “I don’t see the point in it,” Ryan said. “It’s not fun.”
What do you make of the Paul Ryan guessing game? It has become a pastime on Capitol Hill.What do you make of the Paul Ryan guessing game? It has become a pastime on Capitol Hill.
Everybody tries to either tell me what to do with my life or they know what I’m going to do with my life. It’s just, good Lord.Everybody tries to either tell me what to do with my life or they know what I’m going to do with my life. It’s just, good Lord.
When will you make your 2016 decision?When will you make your 2016 decision?
I’m not in a rush. My way is to do the job at hand, do it well, and not worry about strategizing how I can do better than this guy or that guy in New Hampshire. I’m not in a place where I have to scratch and claw to get my name out there. Why do I need to blow money on that? I’ll line it all up next year and do my long list of pros and cons, this and that.I’m not in a rush. My way is to do the job at hand, do it well, and not worry about strategizing how I can do better than this guy or that guy in New Hampshire. I’m not in a place where I have to scratch and claw to get my name out there. Why do I need to blow money on that? I’ll line it all up next year and do my long list of pros and cons, this and that.
By pushing off your decision until next year, you’d probably be one of the later entries if you got in.By pushing off your decision until next year, you’d probably be one of the later entries if you got in.
I’ve got all the time in the world. I don’t have some calendar with a red circle. I don’t feel the pressure to do it any other way. I have my own timeline, and I don’t let stuff that’s happening around me get to my head. That’s dangerous.I’ve got all the time in the world. I don’t have some calendar with a red circle. I don’t feel the pressure to do it any other way. I have my own timeline, and I don’t let stuff that’s happening around me get to my head. That’s dangerous.
Has the entire process started too soon?
For sure.
How have people misread you?How have people misread you?
I’m not a be-er — I’m a doer. I’m not dying to be this or that. I’m more of a cause guy. So I come at this thing from that perspective. I don’t have this insatiable political ambition. But I know how to flip the switch. If you flip the switch, you flip the switch. I know how to do it and what I need to do if I choose to flip it. Right now, the switch has tape over it until 2015.I’m not a be-er — I’m a doer. I’m not dying to be this or that. I’m more of a cause guy. So I come at this thing from that perspective. I don’t have this insatiable political ambition. But I know how to flip the switch. If you flip the switch, you flip the switch. I know how to do it and what I need to do if I choose to flip it. Right now, the switch has tape over it until 2015.
Is your family supportive?Is your family supportive?
My kids loved it when I was with Mitt. They enjoyed it and thought it was great. My family, of all families, understands what it takes and has a good sense of what it’s like. There isn’t a lot of gray area. It’s really about the typical questions that arise.My kids loved it when I was with Mitt. They enjoyed it and thought it was great. My family, of all families, understands what it takes and has a good sense of what it’s like. There isn’t a lot of gray area. It’s really about the typical questions that arise.
You’ve only occasionally traveled to the early presidential primary states. If you are seriously considering a presidential bid, why take such a hands-off approach?You’ve only occasionally traveled to the early presidential primary states. If you are seriously considering a presidential bid, why take such a hands-off approach?
I don’t feel the need to be out there, putting my toe in the water. I don’t see the point in it. It’s not fun, and I don’t think I need to. I already know a lot of people in these key states well. They call me up, so I don’t feel the need to have to chum.I don’t feel the need to be out there, putting my toe in the water. I don’t see the point in it. It’s not fun, and I don’t think I need to. I already know a lot of people in these key states well. They call me up, so I don’t feel the need to have to chum.
What’s your political base?
I really do believe there is a conservative movement out there to be assembled that’s inclusive, inspirational and majoritarian. We have to begin assembling it.
A year after the federal government shutdown, have conservatives learned any lessons?A year after the federal government shutdown, have conservatives learned any lessons?
We have to remember that we have to go out and attract people and that the Electoral College is what it is. Those tactics [during the shutdown] didn’t work. If we’re going to win, it’s going to be because of ideas. We’ve got to build that movement and have a governing temperament.We have to remember that we have to go out and attract people and that the Electoral College is what it is. Those tactics [during the shutdown] didn’t work. If we’re going to win, it’s going to be because of ideas. We’ve got to build that movement and have a governing temperament.
Some of your friends believe a lengthy stay in the House is more to your liking.Some of your friends believe a lengthy stay in the House is more to your liking.
I don’t see myself as a lifer. I know it’s weird for a guy who’s been in Congress since he was 28 years old to say that, but I really don’t.I don’t see myself as a lifer. I know it’s weird for a guy who’s been in Congress since he was 28 years old to say that, but I really don’t.
What about a statewide run?
No. I had the opportunity to run for Senate in 2010 and 2012, but I passed up those races because I decided a while ago that I was going to concentrate on policy and take the committee chairman route. I also like the camaraderie in the House. It’s a team sport. We play rugby and in the Senate, they play golf. I’m not a golfer. Most of my friends over there hate it.
Has Romney encouraged you to seek the presidency?Has Romney encouraged you to seek the presidency?
Yes. And I take him at his word that he thinks it is somebody else’s turn and he’s not planning on running at all. I think you’ll have a pretty full field, so I don’t think anything is going to change on that front.Yes. And I take him at his word that he thinks it is somebody else’s turn and he’s not planning on running at all. I think you’ll have a pretty full field, so I don’t think anything is going to change on that front.
What about former Florida governor Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie? They are two Republicans who are seen as your possible competition. Have they reached out to you?What about former Florida governor Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie? They are two Republicans who are seen as your possible competition. Have they reached out to you?
No. I know them both relatively well, but I wouldn’t say I know them really well. I haven’t talked to either of them in a long time. The last time I saw Jeb was at the Manhattan Institute dinner in May and we shot the bull. We didn’t talk about this stuff. The last time I saw Christie was in June at Romney’s retreat in Utah.No. I know them both relatively well, but I wouldn’t say I know them really well. I haven’t talked to either of them in a long time. The last time I saw Jeb was at the Manhattan Institute dinner in May and we shot the bull. We didn’t talk about this stuff. The last time I saw Christie was in June at Romney’s retreat in Utah.
Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) is another potential candidate. Several top Republicans in Wisconsin believe you two have privately agreed that only one of you will run for the White House in 2016.
We’re good friends, but we have never once discussed it.
How have Walker’s reductions in bargaining rights for some public workers changed your state’s political climate?
The public employee unions came in and Saul Alinsky-ed the place and they poisoned the well. Ever since then, it’s been hyper-polarized.
You are an ally of House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio). Will he win another term as speaker?You are an ally of House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio). Will he win another term as speaker?
Yes. John takes a lot of slings and arrows. He takes a ton of heat for not being what some people want him to be. Yet at the end of the day, he keeps moving ahead and delivering. John has a knack for making the House work, and it’s a harder job than most people realize. I wish they’d give him more credit.Yes. John takes a lot of slings and arrows. He takes a ton of heat for not being what some people want him to be. Yet at the end of the day, he keeps moving ahead and delivering. John has a knack for making the House work, and it’s a harder job than most people realize. I wish they’d give him more credit.
Do you have the votes to win the Ways and Means gavel? Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) has said he will challenge you for the position.Do you have the votes to win the Ways and Means gavel? Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) has said he will challenge you for the position.
Dave Camp [R-Mich.] is the current chairman and he’s got work to do. I don’t want to be disrespectful and get ahead of him. It’s a decorum thing. Think about if you were Dave. That’s the way I look it. But I feel good about where I am, and we’ll leave it at that. Dave Camp [R-Mich.] is the current chairman, and he’s got work to do. I don’t want to be disrespectful and get ahead of him. It’s a decorum thing. Think about it, as if you were Dave. That’s the way I look at it. But I feel good about where I am, and we’ll leave it at that.
Is it possible to chair an influential committee and simultaneously run for national office?
I ran for vice president as Budget Committee chairman and [Sen.] John McCain [R-Ariz.] was a committee chairman when he ran first for president.
If you do win that post, what are your expectations in terms of passing bipartisan tax reform legislation?If you do win that post, what are your expectations in terms of passing bipartisan tax reform legislation?
We’ll have to see who’s running what and what the president’s attitude is. It’d be nice to deal with [Sen.] Orrin Hatch [R-Utah] on the issue, over at the Senate Finance Committee. It’s not that I don’t like [Sen.] Ron Wyden [D-Ore.], I actually like Ron quite a bit, but Ron doesn’t run his party. We’ll have to see who’s running what and what the president’s attitude is. It’d be nice to deal with [Sen.] Orrin Hatch [R-Utah] on the issue over at the Senate Finance Committee. It’s not that I don’t like [Sen.] Ron Wyden [D-Ore.], I actually like Ron quite a bit, but Ron doesn’t run his party.
If we get the Senate, it would make things easier, but we still have the president there. We’ll have to see if he’s willing to lower rates on individuals as well. That’s a big part of it because you can’t leave the individual business hanging. So I don’t know if we’ll be able to get there with this president. I tell people that we’re anywhere from one to three years away from getting tax reform.If we get the Senate, it would make things easier, but we still have the president there. We’ll have to see if he’s willing to lower rates on individuals as well. That’s a big part of it because you can’t leave the individual business hanging. So I don’t know if we’ll be able to get there with this president. I tell people that we’re anywhere from one to three years away from getting tax reform.
Would you ever budge on individual tax rates?
Raising them? Of course not. They need to come down. They’re already too high and need to go south, not north.
How is your relationship with President Obama?
I get along with him. He knows my philosophy, and I know his. Yet I’ve come to the belief that people typically don’t change, and I think he really is the ideologue we all worried he would be. Having said that, if he can’t stack the courts with his judges and put his regulators in the agencies because we have the Senate, then reality will perhaps force him to have to work with us.
Last year, you and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the Senate Budget Committee chair, cut a scaled-back deal to replace cuts from sequestration and increase federal revenue through fee increases. Is another budget deal in the works?
Patty and I already got most of the low-hanging fruit that Senate Democrats are willing to give. So we’re past low-hanging fruit and into actual entitlement reforms. But I think we’ll have to do another one and we’ll try to make the president reach a little bit.
The tea party usually doesn’t cheer your budget deals with Democrats.
Doing Murray-Ryan probably didn’t help me, if you’re only looking at whatever plays best in a primary. But it was the right thing to do for our party and our country. Other people are looking over their right shoulder, worried about criticism from their own party, but I’m not.
You’ve spent much of the past year talking about poverty issues and traveling to urban areas with Bob Woodson, a community organizer. Are you working with Democrats on any related legislation?
If you look at the earned income tax credit, recidivism reform and criminal justice reform, there are places we could work together.
What about immigration? You’ve advocated an overhaul of the current system.
If President Obama doesn’t do an executive order and keeps his powder dry and tries to work with the new Congress, then perhaps. Right now, I’m not holding my breath.
Beyond domestic policy, what are you working on?
I’d like to get a trade agreement done, if we can get a good one written with Japan and TPP [the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a U.S.-led effort to eliminate tariffs]. I think that’s important and we need to open up more markets. We’re also going to help the president fight the terrorists. His party won’t be there to help him like we will. We’re going to have to help him keep our military strong even if his budget does not.
I spend a lot of time thinking about foreign policy and reading about it. My thinking has evolved, and going through the vice presidential experience gave me a deeper appreciation for these issues. I fear that we’re losing our place in the world and it’s to the world’s detriment. I think the president’s weak foreign policy, from his vacillating positions to his defense cuts, are causing us to lose our standing and it’s created a vacuum for those who don’t share our values.
You’re starting to sound like a presidential candidate.
Literally, there is a calendar in my mind. It begins with a 2 and ends with a 5 and has a 0 and a 1 in the middle. I’ll make my news in my own time.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed.This interview has been lightly edited and condensed.