Top Prospects To Replace Speaker Paul Ryan

On the heels of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election, Republicans and Democrats are scrambling.

In Ryan’s home state of Wisconsin, the GOP is tasked with throwing a viable candidate against Democrat Cathy Myers. The left’s primary front-runner garnered immediate political donations after Ryan’s announcement. Once considered a long-shot, Ryan’s exit has leveled the playing field.

In Washington, D.C., a complex power struggle was set in motion over who would replace Ryan in the top House leadership position. Unlike head-to-head elections, gaining the speakership will entail making deals, calling in favors, arm twisting and convincing enough members that they are best suited to become a face of the party.

These are the likely and not-so-likely Washington-insiders that could seize the speakership.

GOP Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy

Considered one of the hardest working members of Congress, the California Republican made a bid for the speakership in 2015 after the surprise retirement of John Boehner. The party was dominated by hard-line conservatives at the time. Although many viewed him as a good fit for the leadership role, far-right party members believed he would not get the roll call votes on the House floor. Fearing a dark horse Democrat could win the day, Paul Ryan emerged as a sure thing for Republicans.

Given the current political polarization, McCarthy’s vote-getting is far more likely to run strictly along party lines, and the 11-year Washington veteran with nine years in leadership positions appears to be the likely replacement for Paul Ryan. That, of course, depends on the GOP staying in the majority after the mid-terms.

GOP Majority Whip Steve Scalise

A Republican darling, the Louisiana rep. has been a top donation-getter for the party and an effective Whip. The House has breezed through the passage of GOP-backed legislation and the 52-year-old has developed a strong working relationship with Pres. Trump.

He gained national recognition after being critically wounded by a radical leftist gunman at a party baseball game. After six terms in the House, Scalise has earned party loyalty and has made waves about higher aspirations. Although he reportedly indicated he may not challenge McCarty, he has left that door open, under the right circumstances.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

Ranked among the most polarizing figures in Washington today, the once-revered Congresswoman has fallen from grace even within her own party. Her pressure to adopt “resist” and “obstruct” political tactics continues to pull the DNC to the extreme left and mirror her extraordinarily liberal San Francisco base. So divisive has the former House speaker become that centrist Democrats are actually running against her policy positions — and winning.

That being said, Pelosi remains an unmistakable power broker in Washington, D.C. When people talk about draining the swamp, Pelosi is that swamp. She rules over House Democrats because she brings in large donations to a party that teetered on bankruptcy during the past 2-3 years. In Washington, money talks and Pelosi holds significant purse strings. If Dems regain control of the House in the mid-terms, as predicted, America should brace itself for new heights of political hostility with Pelosi holding the gavel.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer

Political pundits have bandied Hoyer’s name around as a logical Democrat for the speakership should the midterms swing in that direction. He’s been a loyal, veteran Democrat and Pelosi’s second for many years.

On paper, that all makes sense. But, politics is a blood sport, and Hoyer understands that the ever-ambitious Pelosi is likely to make a run at the top spot again. Butting heads could have disastrous consequences for him, win or lose. It’s highly unlikely he’ll toss his hat in the ring against Pelosi.

Joseph Crowley

The 56-year-old New Yorker has already been making waves as 78-year-old Pelosi’s possible successor. He’s been a solid donation-getter for national Democrats, and more likely to go head-to-head with Pelosi should the left retake the House.

After 10 consecutive terms in the House, he’s earned enough political clout to challenge Pelosi. Given New York won’t be a swing state anytime soon, he has far more to gain than lose in a run at leadership. Crowley has what pugilists call a “puncher’s chance” at the win.

Notable Mentions

The last change in speakership saw the unlikely Paul Ryan rise to the post, and party heads could look past some of the better-known brands. Other choices could include:

North Carolina Republican Mark Meadows: Currently the chair of the stubbornly far-right House Freedom Caucus, some see him as a natural extension of Pres. Trump’s America First and Conservative fiscal policies.

Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan: Having already gone up against Pelosi in 2016 for leadership, he has been pressing his case that Democrats are disconnected from the heartland. If the power shift is close after the mid-terms, his argument could carry the day.

~ Conservative Zone


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33 responses to “Top Prospects To Replace Speaker Paul Ryan”

  1. I want to see Jim Jordan become the new leader——— because as we are seeing now he is a fighter for the American people. The others only hold a half a cup to me. I want the full cup is what we Americans need the most now.!!

  2. You have forgotten the obvious and that one is James Jordan from Ohio who is also a big voice in the Freedom Caucus and a contributor to Lou Dobbs on Fox Business Network. Don’t even think about any democraps because they are not going to take over anything in the midterms. What do they have to offer. Here is my list. Nothing nothing nothing. The American people don’t want that. All one has to do is watch Ca. = that is what will happen if they ever have the majority in the Senate or Contress. We also have to have more of majority in the Senate and McConnell gone, then we could get alot of the swamp drained plus good things for the Am people.

  3. The only one that you mentioned that’s worth his salt is Steve Scalise. The leader of the Freedom Caucus would be the best choice. The rest of who you mentioned are not worth a CRAP.

    freedom Caucus

    • Steve Scalise is the strongest person to be the next speaker. He’s someone who stands with the President and his agenda.
      Things will finally get done with him at the helm.

  4. We do not need any Rhio in there and that is what all of your picks are except Scalise and Jim Jordan

  5. Money talks, bs walks. As long as the geriatric, ossified Dem leadership remains above room temperature, they’ll continue to rule the roost. Step out of line too far and you get knee-capped and have a challenger back in your district. With the exception of Newt, the quality of House Speakership since tip O’Neill has been awful. Think about it……Fortworthless Jim Wright, Tom(foolry) Foley, Horrible Denny Hastert, San Fran Nan, Obama Butt Boy Boehner (aka Orangeman) and now his acolyte Milquetoast Ryan. And you wonder why nothing worthwhile for the people who make the country work has happened? A pox on all their houses!

  6. JIM JORDAN WILL KEEP REPUBLICAN PARTY TOGETHER.
    HONEST AND NOT CORRUPT
    THE LEADERSHIP SHOULD HAPPEN NOW.

  7. My Vote is for Newt Gingrich or Trey Gowdy You do not have to be a congress person to hold the house speakers office

  8. Your screen name is perfectly appropriate, I only wish you were right!
    Given the near complete absence of substantive actions by McConnell, and the complete absence, save for his recusing himself from the single most important issue facing the Justice Department, of Sessions, the House IS forfeit! Ryan’s retirement simply shows he is very aware of that fact, and wants no part in the debacle that will surely be the House of the 116th. Congress! By January 4, 2019, a Bill of Impeachment will be on the floor of the House, and it will pass!
    While I won’t be surprised if, despite the mathematical improbability, the Senate isn’t also Progressive Majority, Majority Leader Schumer, even with the certain votes of McCain, Collins, Murkowski, and Alexander, will be short of the 67 he needs to remove Trump from office!
    The once proud Democrat Party regressed from it’s Liberal ideology to it’s current Progressive position in the late 1980’s. It’s now perfectly obvious that the Republican Party has abandoned it’s Conservative beliefs for the Liberal ideology. If we commoners expect to get ANY real representation in the America of the future, despite all the odds against, will have to form a third party!

  9. JIM JORDAN is the man for the job. He will make sure the President Trump agenda is implemented. We don’t need a Ryan puppet.
    THE LEADERSHIP SHOULD HAPPEN NOW.

  10. I like Jim Jordan. I see him as a fighter and hopefully not kowtow to the deep state or the lefty Dem orate

    He has my vote

  11. Cutting to the chase the representative for the House needs to be a Republican. NO ONE FROM DMV needs to be in that position. Ryan was a Republican and therefore that position should be filled with one from same party. Does not matter if Pelosi has brought in great money from donations. Pelosi is a fraud, liar and in to deep with Deep State. Sorry she is lower than a snakes belly and as poisons. She needs to be removed from office, Capital Hill and Washington.

  12. In my opinion:

    1st Choice Steve Scalise
    2nd Choice Kevin McCarthy

    Both are good men for the job. The rest a big fat NO.

  13. Membership by Republicans must increase and the Speaker who emerges must havesubsttial support in order to be effective.

  14. yeah, the lawsuit pretty much slammed the door on the democrats, and all they have left is STEALING ELECTIONS because of FRAUD and refusal to pass VOTER ID LAWS!

    Jim JORDAN should be the ONLY PICK for the Conservatives.

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