House Speaker [crscore]Paul Ryan[/crscore] on Tuesday delivered a speech to emphasize that he will not allow himself to be nominated for president at a contested Republican convention this summer.
“We have too much work to do in the House to allow this speculation to swirl or have my motivations questioned,” Ryan said at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee on Capitol Hill. “Let me be clear: I do not want, nor will I accept the Republican nomination.”
“I simply believe that if you want to be the nominee – to be the president – you should actually run for it. I chose not to do this,” the Wisconsin Republican and 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee said. “Therefore, I should not be considered. Period. End of story.”
Ryan’s name has repeatedly been floated as a establishment alternative in the case a majority of delegates don’t get behind either Donald Trump or [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore] at the convention. The speaker and his aides have said before he would not accept the nomination, but the chatter has continued.
Skeptics, however, have pointed out that Ryan, before being elected to lead the House last year, had ruled out seeking the speakership before changing his mind.