LOS ANGELES(TIP): Paul Ryan, a former speaker of the House, sounded a pointed warning to the GOP in a speech about its future, arguing that voters will have little patience for a party built on fealty to former President Trump. He told conservatives gathered at the Reagan Library, in Simi Valley California, Thursday, May 27 night that they were at a crossroads.
“If the conservative cause depends on the populist appeal of one personality, or on second-rate imitations, then we’re not going anywhere. Voters looking for Republican leaders want to see independence and mettle,” he said.And leaving no doubt about who he was talking about, though he did not name Mr. Trump, Ryan continued, “They will not be impressed by the sight of yes-men and flatterers flocking to Mar-a-Lago.”
Among the Republican politicians who have spent time with Mr. Trump at his Florida resort and publicly stood by him is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who succeeded Ryan as the top House Republican when Ryan retired from the House in 2018.
Ryan, who had his disagreements with Mr. Trump, also expressed deep dismay at the way his presidency concluded. “It was horrifying to see a presidency come to such a dishonorable and disgraceful end,” he said.
But he did mention the former president by name in praising economic growth that took place during his presidency, prior to the pandemic and said, “To his credit, Donald Trump brought many new voters into our party.”