Almost daily, we hear another report of lifelong Republicans jumping the sinking ship that was once "The Grand Old Party". Whether it be both George Bush Junior and Senior opting out of even attending this …show more content…
Ryan has also been going through a personal transformation as of late, concerning his role in the party and the overall tone and tactics of the GOP as they once again look for ways to expand their base and become the big tent party their hero Ronald Reagan strived for. In closing, Ryan told Jake Tapper,
The bulk of the burden on unifying the party will have to come from our presumptive nominee, I don't want to underplay what he accomplished. ... But he also inherits something very special, that's very special to a lot of us. This is the party of Lincoln and Reagan and Jack Kemp. And we don't always nominate a Lincoln or a Reagan every four years, but we hope that our nominee aspires to be Lincoln- or Reagan-esque -- that that person advances the principles of our party and appeals to a wide, vast majority of Americans.
It is unclear if Ryan will eventually support Trump, a man so antithetical to the very ideas and tenets of conservative idealism, or if he will hold firm and freeze Trump out should he somehow take the White House, creating the very division and gridlock that Ryan has so passionately riled against since taking up the mantle of Speaker. Either way, let's hope it is a question that will never have to be answered.
Watch Paul Ryan speak about Trump