# Politico: Paul Ryan retiring in 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 14, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514 "2017-12-14T17:41:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/1 "2017-12-14T17:41:10Z")
[https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/14/paul-ryan-retire-speaker-ready-leave-washington-216103](https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/14/paul-ryan-retire-speaker-ready-leave-washington-216103) > [@](#): > > Despite several landmark legislative wins this year, and a better-than-expected relationship with President Donald Trump, Ryan has made it known to some of his closest confidants that this will be his final term as speaker. He consults a small crew of family, friends and staff for career advice, and is always cautious not to telegraph his political maneuvers. But the expectation of his impending departure has escaped the hushed confines of Ryan’s inner circle and permeated the upper-most echelons of the GOP. In recent interviews with three dozen people who know the speaker—fellow lawmakers, congressional and administration aides, conservative intellectuals and Republican lobbyists—not a single person believed Ryan will stay in Congress past 2018. So… thoughts? Assuming the R’s maintain their majority, who do you think is on the short list to replace Ryan? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/2 "2017-12-14T17:47:55Z")
“He consults a small crew of family, friends and staff for career advice, and is always cautious not to telegraph his political maneuvers.” :rolleyes: He might as well post it on Facebook. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/3 "2017-12-14T17:52:05Z")
What landmark legislative wins? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/4 "2017-12-14T18:14:06Z")
Seems like an awful lot of speculation, but pundits gotta pun. If he does step down, it would be because he’s tired of the drip drip drip of constant scandals or else he knows the Republicans will lose the house and he has no interest in being Minority Leader. At 48, I highly doubt he’s done with politics. Governor of Wisconsin perhaps leading to a presidential run is his most likely path. I have no idea who will replace him. I have a feeling we will see more congresspeople announce their retirement after the holidays. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/5 "2017-12-14T18:14:43Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > What landmark legislative wins? He assisted Trump in spelling Gorsuch’s name on the form. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/6 "2017-12-14T18:48:31Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > … > At 48, I highly doubt he’s done with politics. Governor of Wisconsin perhaps leading to a presidential run is his most likely path. … I agree, I suspect he’ll go for the Governor as a setup for a run at President. ---
**Author:** ![ricksummon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ricksummon/32/3333_2.png) [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/7 "2017-12-14T19:17:18Z")
Does this mean that “Iron Stache” Randy Bryce can take Paul Ryan’s seat in 2018? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/8 "2017-12-14T19:20:44Z")
> [@](#): > > The Wisconsin Republican was asked Thursday about two published reports suggesting he might leave his job soon after the GOP passes a rewrite of the U.S. tax code. > > Asked by a reporter if he’s quitting anytime soon, Ryan chuckled and said, “I’m not. No.” [Cite](https://apnews.com/f0bdaeb5bbf543e69a847bdaed4074a6/House-Speaker-says-he's-not-leaving-Congress-anytime-soon). ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/9 "2017-12-14T19:23:07Z")
I see: From Wikipedia: Scott Walker confirmed on October 18, 2017 via online video that he would seek a third term as Governor of Wisconsin. > **[Scott Walker (politician)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Walker_(politician))** > > Scott Kevin Walker (born November 2, 1967) is an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party. > Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Walker was raised in Plainfield, Iowa and in Delavan, Wisconsin. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1992, representing a district in western Milwaukee County. In 2002, Walker was elected Milwaukee County Executive in a special election following the resignation of F. Thomas... One Senator from Wisconsin is Republican Ron Johnson who was re-elected in 2016 The other Senator from Wisconsin is Democrat Tammy Baldwin who is up for re-election in 2018. So it looks like Ryan might run against her. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/10 "2017-12-14T19:27:21Z")
I could see a more likely scenario where Walker goes for Baldwin’s seat and Ryan runs for governor. Or, even more likely, this reporter was just speculating. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/11 "2017-12-14T19:47:29Z")
Ryan wound up as Speaker when Boehner resigned, and he had initially turned down overtures from GOP leadership to take on the position. It’s probably an ugly job, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s burned out. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/12 "2017-12-14T19:49:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I agree, I suspect he’ll go for the Governor as a setup for a run at President. Then he better get a move on it. I think the Wisconsin gubernatorial election is in 11 months and Scott Walker has announced he will run again. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/13 "2017-12-14T19:53:37Z")
Good riddance. He’s one of the worst human beings to ever live. I hope he’s retiring because he and his whole family has ass cancer, but I’m sure it’s so he can focus on suckering even more idiots into voting him into more power. . ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/14 "2017-12-14T19:54:47Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Ryan wound up as Speaker when Boehner resigned, and he had initially turned down overtures from GOP leadership to take on the position. It’s probably an ugly job, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s burned out. I think Ryan’s original plan was based on the belief that Clinton was going to win the election. He probably figured he could use the Speakership to act as an opposition leader for four years and be in a good position to run for the Republican nomination in 2020. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/15 "2017-12-14T20:25:40Z")
\*House Speaker says he’s not leaving Congress anytime soon - WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan says he’s not leaving Congress anytime soon. The Wisconsin Republican was asked Thursday about rumors suggesting he might leave his job soon after the GOP passes a rewrite of the U.S. tax code. Asked by a reporter if he’s quitting anytime soon, Ryan chuckled and said, “I’m not. No.”\* > **[House Speaker Paul Ryan says he's not leaving Congress soon](https://apnews.com/f0bdaeb5bbf543e69a847bdaed4074a6/House-Speaker-says-he's-not-leaving-Congress-anytime-soon)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday he's not leaving Congress anytime soon, trying to squelch rumors that he will walk away in triumph after the Republicans' treasured tax bill is approved... It looks like Politico is full of shit. SSDD. Politico says Ryan is quitting vs Ryan says Ryan’s not quitting. Does this _Ryan quitting_ news story qualify as fake news? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/16 "2017-12-14T20:27:54Z")
If true, it is an effort to distance himself from the legislative disaster that has been the 115th Congress and the presidency of Trump, who he has only relucantly supported. While Scott Walker’s popularity in Wisconsin has waned, it has been on an uptick, and while moving into the Governer’s Mansion would technically be a step up for Ryan in the ultimate goal of running for the presidency, I think it is more likely that he’s going to step out of the light and wait for the Trump administration to implode through either impeachment or unpopularity, and then try to sweep in for the GOP nomination in 2020. So, he’s floating the idea out there to see public reaction to a strategic redeployment to whitewash his image and avoid being associated with the current and presuambly future failures of this administration. Or he’s going to retire and come back as the Economy Czar for Trump, where he will put his expertise in using Social Security survivor benefits to pay for his education by eliminating personal entitlements and promoting his hypocritical Objectivism view of morality. Drain that swamp! Stranger ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/17 "2017-12-14T20:44:58Z")
Note: January 2019 != “anytime soon”. Ryan is correct - he is _not_ leaving anytime soon, he is leaving just over a year from now. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/18 "2017-12-14T20:48:36Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Note: January 2019 != “pretty soon”. Ryan is correct - he is _not_ leaving pretty soon, he is leaving just over a year from now. According to whom? Politico? Ryan? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/19 "2017-12-14T20:57:40Z")
According to standard language usage. I mean, you might want to argue this, but to take the tactics used in these silly “did he REALLY mean this” threads, let’s note that he did not categorically deny the reports. Just that he isn’t retiring “anytime soon”. If you go out of your way to avoid saying the word “no”, then the true answer is “yes”. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514/20 "2017-12-14T20:59:59Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > \*House Speaker says he’s not leaving Congress anytime soon - > > WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan says he’s not leaving Congress anytime soon. > > The Wisconsin Republican was asked Thursday about rumors suggesting he might leave his job soon after the GOP passes a rewrite of the U.S. tax code. > > Asked by a reporter if he’s quitting anytime soon, Ryan chuckled and said, “I’m not. No.”\* > > [House Speaker Paul Ryan says he's not leaving Congress soon | AP News](https://apnews.com/f0bdaeb5bbf543e69a847bdaed4074a6/House-Speaker-says-he's-not-leaving-Congress-anytime-soon) > > It looks like Politico is full of shit. SSDD. Politico says Ryan is quitting vs Ryan says Ryan’s not quitting. Does this _Ryan quitting_ news story qualify as fake news? It’s only fake news if there weren’t rumors. If there were rumors, Politico story is accurate. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514.md?page=2)