Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Speaker of the House and highest ranking Republican; how does Ryan really feel about presumed Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump (R-N.Y.)? During an interview with Steve Inskeep, host of the National Public Radio, Speaker Ryan reveals just that.
Early on, we hear that like the rest of America, Ryan has reservations about much of Trump’s presidential platform. According to Ryan, the American people are in a distressed state – anxious about the future of America.
Like the rest of America, Ryan expresses concerns about much of Trump’s presidential platform. Seems he can’t help but come off non-committal. The Speaker indirectly addresses the incompatibility of Trump’s plans for foreign trade and economic growth:
“I want to go get trade agreements, because if America walls itself up, if we address sort of an economic fortress America, we will lose.”
Is this a metaphor that Ryan is actually anti-wall, or simply a coincidence in term use? What an interesting juxtaposition from Trump’s clear “I’m building a wall” mentality.
Another area of conflict between Speaker Ryan and Trump is governmental aid. Rep. Ryan sees an opportunity for increased Republican Support through an increased focus on poverty. He sees this best accomplished though renovated social programs at the individual level.
Ryan also expresses a desire to “customize” welfare programs for its recipients, and include services like counseling, transportation, and education.
Throughout the interview, Rep. Ryan spends a great deal of time acknowledging that for many, the Bootstrap Myth and the American Dream are not accessible. Yet interestingly, Trump’s official platform, makes no strong mention of help for the individual.
Instead, the platform appears to focus on lowering the corporate tax rate to 15 percent, and reclaiming jobs through calling out and correcting China’s illegal practices, according to Trump:
“Reclaim millions of American jobs and reviving American manufacturing by putting an end to China’s illegal export subsidies and lax labor and environmental standards. No more sweatshops or pollution havens stealing jobs from American workers.”
Ryan’s customized social program desire is met with the following via Trumps platform.
“Attack our debt and deficit by vigorously eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in the Federal government, ending redundant government programs, and growing the economy to increase tax revenues. Closing the deficit and reducing our debt will mean China cannot blackmail us with our own Treasury bonds.”
When asked for reasons on backing Trump despite so many differences, Ryan expressed a responsibility to keep the party together.
Does Ryan see Trump as a good candidate?
Umm… Not really, but better than Hilary. When asked about his feelings towards Trumps behavior and if he believes he is actively changing those issues, He simply replied with, “I believe he’s going to endeavor, to try.”
While Trump proposes to “Make America Great Again,” Speaker Paul Ryan says for the millions affected by generational poverty, America has never been great. Despite the magnitude of this election, Ryan is choosing to stick with Trump simply based of party affiliation.
In the game of politics, tis’ better to support the wrong co-affiliate than the correct opposition.
Watch the full interview with Speaker Ryan here:
Featured Image: Tony Alter Via Flickr/CC By 2.0
