# Did Ryan (and others) make a mistake not backing Trump?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ryan-and-others-make-a-mistake-not-backing-trump/754433>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Created:** [May 9, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ryan-and-others-make-a-mistake-not-backing-trump/754433 "2016-05-09T20:31:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ryan-and-others-make-a-mistake-not-backing-trump/754433/21 "2016-05-10T18:46:21Z")

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> [@GIGObuster](#):
>
> Well, most of what I have seen will not support either. And yet there are indeed more than just a few that are letting others know that Hillary is still a better choice.

(post shortened)

It’s a long way to November. Hillary and Trump are the most disliked - according to the polls (the polls have been repeatedly wrong) - and both are in the lead as their parties presidential candidate.

While some people believe ol’ Hillary is the best choice, there are others who believe she’s the devil/liar/future felon/poor choice. Bernie fans seem to be pissed at the Democrat Party for not treating Bernie fairly. That’s not the same as claiming Bernie and Hillary are the different sides of the same coin so voting for one is the same as voting for the other. They’re pissed at the party.

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**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ryan-and-others-make-a-mistake-not-backing-trump/754433/22 "2016-05-10T19:19:48Z")

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> [@Morgenstern](#):
>
> Mistake. Basically I’m wondering if this will this become an albatross around Ryan’s neck every time he places his name on a ballot? Will he be seen as a party turncoat? If Trump loses will he be one of the scapegoats partially responsible for the loss? (in party eyes)
> 
> It seems the wise thing for a Republican to do in this situation is, well, nothing. Do nothing for Trump, say nothing about trump unless questioned, then respond with “he’s the party choice.” Then go cast your secret ballot.

I think this will be judged in hindsight. If Ryan can hold a traditional-conservative, establishment GOP majority in the legislative branch and the GOP can kick Hillary out in 2020, then he will be seen to have done the right thing. He’ll be principle and independent.

If the legislature loses and/or Hillary gets re-elected in 2020, then he will be seen as a traitor who sabotaged the party and made it too weak to win. Unless there’s another victim who is even easier to blame, like perhaps Trump himself.

Either way, he won’t be judged on what he actually did… the latest election has made it clear that truth has no place in politics.

These will be the national-level issues, at least. He might remain popular with his local voters regardless.

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