Asked whether he was talking about “minor tinkering,” Ryan said, “No, I think it’s important that you do comprehensive health care entitlement reform, other kinds of entitlement reform.”…

“Put it this way: The president didn’t lead. He didn’t put anything out there. He actually is accelerating the debt crisis. So, if we do not do anything, then where does this even get begun?” Ryan said. “If there’s zero leadership in Washington, then nothing gets done. We think there ought to be some leadership, and I guess we’re going to have to be the ones that provide it.”

Administration officials believe Ryan’s aggressive strategy plays directly into their hands, as they hope Republicans will overreach and alienate the public with efforts to rewire popular safety-net programs.