Paul Ryan’s refusal to support Donald Trump gives useful cover to Republican House members who want to do the same — or to avoid a full-throated endorsement of the presumptive nominee. It reminds me of an incident from the 1964 Republican National Convention that nominated Barry Goldwater. When it came time to announce the vote of the delegation from New York, where Goldwater was obviously highly unpopular, Gov. Nelson Rockefeller announced that five delegates had abstained. Afterwards columnist Murray Kempton asked Rockefeller which delegates had cast the abstentions. “Anyone who wants one,” Rockefeller said.
Paul Ryan was not yet alive during that convention and was nine years old when Rockefeller died. But he seemed to be acting in the same spirit.
