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Robert Costa

Inside the Boehner/Ryan alliance

The benefits for both men are clear: Ryan keeps his head down during a negotiation that may end badly, and focuses on the big policy picture as he looks, perhaps, toward the 2016 presidential campaign. Boehner gets more leeway, because if Ryan is happy, the speaker’s critics (who are close with Ryan) tend to be more reserved. Though a handful of conservative members can’t stand Boehner, they implicitly take their cues from Ryan.

Since the election, Boehner has made several overtures, looking to sustain his helpful bond with Ryan. For example, he won Ryan’s appreciation last month when he granted Ryan a waiver to keep his chairmanship. Other chairmen lost their gavel, due to conference rules, which limit committee chairmen to six-year terms. Ryan, however, was able to hold on to his post. Ryan’s colleagues say that gesture solidified Ryan’s relationship with the speaker.

Boehner also invited Ryan to sit in on the fiscal-cliff strategy sessions. Ryan has participated in nearly every meeting with the House Republican leadership and has been urged to give his candid take on Boehner’s playbook. Even though he’s not a member of the elected leadership team, the elected members view him as an equal.

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Ryan voted against Simpson-Boyles… I’m sorry, I can’t forgive that now. Obama could have been hung with Simpson-Boyles and we rejected it.

ninjapirate on December 12, 2012 at 11:54 AM

he granted Ryan a waiver to keep his chairmanship. Other chairmen lost their gavel, due to conference rules, which limit committee chairmen to six-year terms. Ryan, however, was able to hold on to his post.

Isn’t this what we call a prostitute?

sharrukin on December 12, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Personally – given all the choices out there – I trust Ryan.

jake-the-goose on December 12, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Ryan voted against Simpson Bowles because he thought that the Rs could win in 2012 and get a better deal. This turned out to not be the case. The current R counter offer is Simpson Bowles light but the Rs did such a bad job of selling it.. Thanks Boehner.. and the media is so in the tank for Barry that it made no splash. Ryan was the one who would have had to sell it and the article makes it clear the Ryan is totally fine with Boehner taking the heat on this one. It doesn’t serve his political interests to get publicly involved.

Illinidiva on December 12, 2012 at 12:09 PM

Boehner just wants credibility and he thinks that Ryan helps provide that.

besser tot als rot on December 12, 2012 at 12:11 PM

Personally – given all the choices out there – I trust Ryan.
jake-the-goose on December 12, 2012 at 12:00 PM

You trust a guy that stays silent while conservatives are purged off his committee?

journeymike on December 12, 2012 at 12:13 PM

Folks, read the whole article. There is a strategy going on behind the scenes.

onlineanalyst on December 12, 2012 at 12:18 PM

Ryan always votes moderate to progressive. Always has and always will. He is as conservative as Romney is.

Anyone who proposes deficit spending for the next 40 years and then claims that position is conservative just aint such a ting.

astonerii on December 12, 2012 at 12:19 PM

Folks, read the whole article. There is a strategy going on behind the scenes.

onlineanalyst on December 12, 2012 at 12:18 PM

What do you see in the article that changes Ryan’s despicable behavior?

sharrukin on December 12, 2012 at 12:23 PM

My theory on the “purges” is that Ryan was actually the one who requested the removal. It is very clear that the deal between Boehner and Ryan is Ryan protects Boehner during the fiscal cliff negotiations and staves off any grumbling and Boehner grants Ryan certain privileges that help Ryan out with his 2016 ambitions. Ryan’s budget barely passed out of committee this year because of he two Congressmen in question; that would have been hugely embarrassing for Ryan and his ambitions. And I don’t think that the purges are a bad thing. If said Congressmen wanted to be idealogically pure, then they should have stayed out of politics.

Illinidiva on December 12, 2012 at 12:28 PM

Paul Ryan being smart… and right, as usual.

swamp_yankee on December 12, 2012 at 1:58 PM