Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz slammed House Speaker Paul Ryan for his “lack of conviction” following his endorsement of presumed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump Thursday.
Ryan announced he would vote for the billionaire in an oped in his hometown paper, The Gazette, after some initial hesitation.
“When he initially refused to endorse Trump four weeks ago, Paul Ryan said it was time to set aside bullying and belittlement,” Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. “But with his tepid, halfhearted endorsement today, Ryan has backed away from his own criticisms of Trump’s dangerous, divisive campaign, bowed down, kissed the ring, and conceded that Trump is the leader of the Republican Party.”
The Wisconsin Republican said the op-ed that after several discussions with Trump – despite differences on a number of policies – they have “more common ground than disagreements.”
“For me, it’s a question of how to move ahead on the ideas that I—and my House colleagues—have invested so much in through the years,” he wrote, adding that he believes Trump can make that a reality.
Wasserman Schutz went after the Wisconsin Republican over his positions on health care, taxes and pro-life policies – alleging his vice presidential run last election cycle was partially responsible for changes in the party.
“The failed Romney-Ryan presidential ticket in 2012 was the catalyst for a GOP autopsy report that said Republican leaders should move the party in a new direction,” she said. “Trump has soaked that report in gasoline and Paul Ryan just lit the match that’s about to turn it to ashes.”
Ryan has assured he will continue to work toward furthering a conservative agenda.
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