What the hell does he actually gain by screwing over Ryan to facilitate an inevitable Jeb Bush loss?

What does he gain by an inevitable Ryan loss? Even if they are friends there are limits.

What pray tell is Jeb going to give him? There are lots of Bush loyalists who need to be given jobs if hell freezes over.

Illinidiva on January 7, 2013 at 5:21 PM

It has as much to do with what people can do to you, as what they can do for you. The Bush clan has a lot of power in the GOP and Ryan is the guy who played second fiddle to the guy who lost last go round.

Friendship? In politics?

sharrukin on January 7, 2013 at 5:11 PM

Put another way.. What the hell does he actually gain by screwing over Ryan to facilitate an inevitable Jeb Bush loss? Wouldn’t shock me if Priebus resigns in 2014 from the RNC and runs Ryan’s campaign. If Ryan wins that could lead to a cushy promotion (Chief of Staff?) and lots and lots of money afterwards.. Sounds much better than going back to practicing law in Milwaukee. What pray tell is Jeb going to give him? There are lots of Bush loyalists who need to be given jobs if hell freezes over.

Illinidiva on January 7, 2013 at 5:07 PM

Pretty good summary.

Reince Priebus is going to change the rules to disadvantage his good friend Paul Ryan?

Illinidiva on January 7, 2013 at 5:07 PM

Friendship? In politics?

It’s a game. Open primaries, Democratic voting states open the GOP primaries, a barrage of media attacks, smears, truckloads of cash for the chosen candidate, vote-splitting candidates (by chance or by design) if their darling is threatened, and the lower participation in primaries means that they can fairly reasonably control who has any chance of winning. If that doesn’t work they can just change the rules like they did in favor of Romney in Florida, and against Paul at the convention.

sharrukin on January 7, 2013 at 4:54 PM

Reince Priebus is going to change the rules to disadvantage his good friend Paul Ryan?

I’m expecting Jeb to run as being “next in line” like Romney. It’s worth noting that Palin did not become heir apparent after 2008, so I think it’s unlikely that Ryan is heir apparent for 2016. I think we’re likely to see Jeb at the top of the ticket, or failing Jeb, Rubio.

Palin had lots of black marks against her. Not finishing her term in office really hurt her future political prospects. And most indies I know have a violent reaction to her. Ryan starts out with a much cleaner slate. Liberals hate him for sure, but he is still a nice young family man (TM). It is definitely a demeanor thing; dorky even-keeled policy wonk plays better than rabble-rouser.

However, I do agree with you on Rubio. He checks alot of boxes for the Republicans. There is the Latino thing (although Cuban is different from Mexican people). There is also the working class background. And he is basically an Obama 2.0 celebrity politician who would appeal to the type of low information voters. I’d much prefer that this wasn’t the case, but am willing to bow to reality.

Yep.. Because there were no alternatives. Why the hell would they vote for a Bush retread when they can get either Ryan or Rubio? If they do that, then the R base deserves to lose another election. (Seriously, Jeb must have a Gingrich sized ego on him if he thinks that he is going to become President).

Illinidiva on January 7, 2013 at 4:43 PM

It’s a game. Open primaries, Democratic voting states open the GOP primaries, a barrage of media attacks, smears, truckloads of cash for the chosen candidate, vote-splitting candidates (by chance or by design) if their darling is threatened, and the lower participation in primaries means that they can fairly reasonably control who has any chance of winning. If that doesn’t work they can just change the rules like they did in favor of Romney in Florida, and against Paul at the convention.

They swallowed McCain, and then they swallowed Mitt Romney.

sharrukin on January 7, 2013 at 4:35 PM

Yep.. Because there were no alternatives. Why the hell would they vote for a Bush retread when they can get either Ryan or Rubio? If they do that, then the R base deserves to lose another election. (Seriously, Jeb must have a Gingrich sized ego on him if he thinks that he is going to become President).