Paul Ryan Demands Republicans Unite Behind Him. They Shouldn’t.

One of two things is true: either Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) doesn’t want the job of Speaker of the House, or he’s got a rather inflated opinion of himself.

How else to explain Ryan’s bizarre set of demands, issued on Tuesday night, that he says must be fulfilled in order for him to run for Speaker? Ryan has said that he will only run if he has pre-commitment from every faction within the Republican caucus for his Speakership, including the Freedom Caucus that was so instrumental in ousting John Boehner (R-OH) and preventing the Speakership of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). That’s all fine and dandy – everyone running would love to have unanimous support.