Paul Ryan has been walking a tightrope from the start. Coy about endorsing Trump, then giving him the most tepid endorsement of all time, criticizing him but never rescinding his support. He has continued to tepidly endorse Trump, and that’s all that matters.
But it seem like the chicken, or in this case turkey vulture has come home to roost, and right on top of Paul Ryan’s head. Trump’s deplorable, sexist interview that just surfaced is an albatross on every Republicans neck. Screw the fact that Trump issued an unprecedented apology, and the fact that the campaign explained it away as locker room trash talk. He made the statements, to a journalist, and now they’re public. How does Ryan explain this one away?
But that’s not the most delicious part. I wrote in a candidate DIARY about Ryan’s opponent, Ryan Solen, that for the first time in this cycle, Ryan was going to in the same public place with Trump for the first time, a 1st Congressional District Republican Fall Fest tomorrow. This has just become a minefield for Ryan.
In addition to Paul Ryan, Ron Johnson, Governor “Scooter” Scott Walker, and several state powerhouses are going to be there. Ryan’s press release stated at the end that Trump would be attending, but very pointedly did not say that he had been invited, nor that he would speak to the crowd. He was the disowned Uncle, showing up to a BBQ.
If Trump shows up, I can’t believe he won’t use his Secret Service entourage to bull his way over to be seen publicly shaking hands and slapping the backs of Walker, Johnson and Ryan. This is the last thing any of them need, they’d like to ship Trump to a political gulag right now if they could.
Paul Ryan is in what should be a “safe” GOP district. But Trump is not liked in Wisconsin, he got wiped out by Cruz in the primary. A good chunk of conservative talk radio, led by Charlie Sykes is virulently anti Trump. But people are people. If he is seen publicly with Trump at this moment, especially if he makes the fatal error of smiling and shaking hands with Trump after this scandal, he is going to be in trouble. His morals and integrity will be in question.
This is a Godsend for his challenger, Ryan Solen. Solen has already been hammering him on his ineffectiveness in the House, as well as his positions. Solen is a regular guy, a family man, raising four kids, an Iraqi combat vet, and just all around regular Joe. This is a penny from heaven for Solen. He can send out mailers and an e-mail blast, showing Ryan and Trump shaking hands, and hammer Paul Ryan loike a 10 penny nail over the head with Trump and his filthy comments. What can Paul Ryan possibly say? That he ‘strongly disagree with Trumps statements and renounces them”? It won’t mean jack shit if he doesn’t finally break with Trump and the RNC and renounce him publicly as a candidate, which I find it highly unlikely that he will do. Properly exploited, this can be extremely damaging to Paul Ryan.
Let’s see what Ryan Solen does, and if it does any good. To take a look at Ryan Solen or contribute, you can find the links to his campaign website in my previous diary HERE. Ryan Solen is listed on 90for90.org so you know he brings the goods as a progressive.
Thanks as always for reading, you are all the wind beneath my wings!