By benefit of his position, Paul Ryan would be expected to serve as host for the GOP convention in Cleveland. But because he’s so far failed to join Team Trump, Ryan has already offered up his gavel to the orange one. Trump and Ryan are meeting on Thursday, a get-together that could well end with a nicely orchestrated reconciliation and announcement that Republicans are all one, big, happy, fascist, family. But should Ryan refuse to bend the knee, kiss the ring, and compliment the comb-over, his departure from the convention could bring chaos.
Even top officials at the Republican National Committee don’t know who’s going to be running the show, pointing instead to an obscure committee of more than 100 delegates that will ultimately decide.
Oh, come on. Trump would run the show, of course. Trump would introduce Trump, pass the mic to Trump, then call for a big round of applause for the man of the hour—Trump.
If they choose anyone other than Ryan, they’d be breaking with decades of tradition. John Boehner oversaw the GOP nominations of Mitt Romney and John McCain. Dennis Hastert, the coronation of George W. Bush. Newt Gingrich had Bob Dole of Kansas, and before him Bob Michel ran the proceedings that selected Ronald Reagan to run for the White House.
There would need to be fainting couches available, and emotional support assault rifles handed out by the score. Decades of tradition? Break with decades of tradition?
It’ll be Trump. Of course it’ll be Trump. But if not, it’s kind of the off season down at Branson, so Yakov Smirnoff should be available. Some of that “What a country!” shtick? It’s probably a lot more relevant these days.