Former presidential nominee Mitt Romney spoke on Friday to his 2012 running mate Paul Ryan, who is under increasing pressure to become the next speaker of the House.
Romney maintains that he neither encouraged nor discouraged the former vice presidential nominee to seek the speakership, nor did he confirm that it was the subject of their phone conversation.
“I wouldn’t presume to tell Paul what to do, but I do know he is a man of ideas who is driven to see them applied for the public good,” Romney said to NPR. “Every politician tries to convince people that they are that kind of leader; almost none are — Paul is.”
“Paul has a driving passion to get America back on a path of growth and opportunity. With Paul, it’s not just word, it’s in his heart and soul,” Romney added.
Romney has been the subject of a little speaker speculation himself, with some news outlets pitching the idea of the 2012 presidential nominee to lead the House. But Ryan is the more likely candidate as he’s a current member of the House and chairs the Ways & Means Committee.
Republicans left Washington Friday afternoon with no clear sense on who might emerge as the next speaker, although they were hoping to quickly find and approve a candidate in the coming weeks.
