We have to wonder if this negotiation is over before it starts. Paul Ryan is now saying he's open to running for a job he really doesn't want with one stipulation: absolutely no concessions to the House crazy caucus. Nancy Cordes
reports:
Ryan's confidants tell CBS News he will not horse trade with the House Freedom Caucus, a group of 40 or so deeply conservative members who have been demanding changes to House rules and other very specific promises from candidates for Speaker in exchange for their support. Ryan's confidants say he is not going to negotiate for a job he never sought, and that he has a record of conservative leadership that should be clear to every member of the GOP conference.
This thing is far from over, as
Erica Werner notes.
More than a half-dozen lawmakers are considering running for speaker if Ryan does not, even as hard-liners warn that Boehner risks more rebellions if he stays on past his planned departure date of Oct. 29.
“John is a lame duck. There was a reason John announced his resignation,” said Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. “I think Paul does have the credibility across the conference to be able to unite us, but to say he’s the only one I think is hyperbole.”
The guy Mulvaney is calling "lame duck" is likely on the hook to navigate the discordant GOP caucus through raising the debt ceiling by early November. Shortly after that, the caucus will have to contend with
funding the government again by mid-December. Nothing says "Happy Holidays!" like a government shutdown.
1:04 PM PT: UPDATE: Doesn't look like the House crazies are backing down: