Speaker of the House Paul Ryan spoke to the Republican caucus during a private meeting this morning where he urged them to support 'textbook racist' Donald Trump.
Why should they support him? Because he may finally grant their hopes and dreams of repealing Obamacare and impoverishing millions of people.
Ryan “was consistent” at the private Wednesday meeting, said one GOP lawmaker who backs Trump. “He said Trump represents the best chance at passing our agenda.” [...]
“He reiterated that he had confidence that Trump would support the House GOP agenda after having conversations with him, and that he would continue to speak out when he believes it's necessary,” Strong said.
Ryan reportedly told members that he spoke out against Trump's attack on Judge Curiel because it was a distraction.
“Basically, [Ryan] said he did what he did so we could focus on our agenda in the House,” said a GOP leadership aide who attended the closed-door meeting of House Republicans in the basement of the Capitol.
This tells us quite a lot. It's nothing we didn't already know, but a very clear picture is emerging.
Speaker Ryan wouldn't give a damn what Trump says if it wasn't distracting from Ryan's agenda. Ryan spoke out against Trump yesterday because Trump drew attention away from Ryan's latest iteration of his Path to Poverty budget blueprint.
I don't believe Ryan actually disagrees with anything Trump has said, he only spoke out against Trump to reclaim the news cycle.
This cover of the NY Daily News hit newsstands this morning:
