Tea Party Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) says the speculation about Ryan becoming the nominee is “way overblown. He understands that if he were parachuted in, it would be extremely difficult or impossible to get the support of the grass roots.”

Trump has done well because of discontent within the Republican Party. Any effort to take the nomination away from Trump or Cruz, if either goes to Cleveland with far more delegates than anyone else, could hurt the GOP for years.

“I would envision pain for years to come,” one Republican said of the possibility.

This Republican said the GOP establishment needs a reset, something Ryan seems to realize, given his recent actions. Losing the election in 2016 could help with the reset and set the party up for victories in 2018 and 2020.

A former House leadership aide said this isn’t Ryan’s time.