Reince Priebus has begun exploring whether a presidential bid by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) would have any impact on Priebus’ ability to remain at the helm of the Republican National Committee, according to sources with intimate knowledge of the discussions.

Multiple sources who work for Ryan and speak with him on a regular basis said that the Budget Committee chairman has no intention of running for president in 2012. If there is any consideration at all within the Ryan camp about a 2012 run — and that clearly remains a big if — they are not ready to start talking about it…

Ryan’s biggest challenges in a campaign, GOP operatives said, would be raising money, overcoming his lack of executive experience and playing politics at the highest of levels. Ryan “hates politics,” one observer said, and over the years has demonstrated a single-minded focus on influencing policy by remaining in the House, eschewing opportunities to run for governor or a Senate seat. But a presidential campaign would require him to be ready for hardball, and would also present a communications challenge.