Predictably, some conservatives are already calling for Rep. Paul Ryan’s resignation as speaker in light of the American Health Care Act’s failure in the House of Representatives.
To be sure, that failure was massive. Still, it’s being used as the latest in a string of excuses some use to justify those calls for Ryan’s head.
But if Ryan were to step down, who would replace him?
In her widely-circulated segment asking Ryan to step down, Jeanine Pirro said, “Paul Ryan needs to step down as Speaker of the House. The reason? He failed to deliver the votes on his healthcare bill. The one trumpeted to repeal and replace Obamacare. … The one that had to be pulled to prevent the embarrassment of not having enough votes to pass.”
It’s completely reasonable to hold Ryan, along with the president and his administration, accountable for that failure — I assume he would think so as well. But the job of wrangling everyone under the GOP’s big tent to consensus on healthcare policy is very difficult. Who would have succeeded where Ryan failed?
Recall that Ryan was pressured into this job, not having really sought it himself. He only accepted it on the condition that his demands be met. And before assuming the speakership, Ryan managed to secure the support of a supermajority of Freedom Caucus members in his bid for the gavel. The group actually complimented him as a “policy entrepreneur” in its warm and open minded statement announcing that supermajority.
The demands of the speakership, a job that necessarily requires its inhabitants to negotiate between dueling ideological factions, have made it easier for Ryan’s detractors to paint him as a moderate. But too often, Ryan’s real allegiance to the conservative cause goes underappreciated.
Furthermore, even while he’s deemed an acceptable speaker by a majority of the Freedom Caucus, moderate Republicans see Ryan as a credible leader as well. Those calling for his resignation should name another House Republican who would be able to bridge that gap, or explain why it’s not important to do so.
When it came to the American Health Care Act, of course, it is important to acknowledge that Ryan still came up short as a negotiator.
But given the circumstances, what other member of the House majority wouldn’t have?
Those who wish for Ryan to pass the gavel should be prepared to name who could wield it better.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
