Paul Ryan struggles to convince many he supports Trump at RNC
House Speaker Paul Ryan shocked many with his Republican National Convention speech. For some, it was the fact that the Wisconsin congressman mentioned Donald Trump just one time, but others took issue with how enthusiastic he was, considering the pair’s past relations.
“The next time that there's a State of the Union address, I don't know where Joe Biden and Barack Obama are going to be, but you'll find me right there” with “Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump,” Ryan said, with chants of “Trump! Trump!” ringing out from the convention floor.
The chanters spoke Trump’s name many times more than Ryan did. He had long been reluctant to support Trump, even after the billionaire businessman became the presumptive nominee. The two met privately in May to discuss an agreement, but even then Ryan did not endorse him.
“Whatever we lack going into this campaign,” Ryan said in his speech Tuesday night, “we should not lack for motivation.”
Twitter was not quite convinced.
Paul Ryan’s remarks were delivered with all the enthusiasm of discussing an upcoming root canal procedure.
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) July 20, 2016
Paul Ryan is talking about freedom and endorsing a nominee who favors eminent domain for casino moguls to take houses for limo parking lots.
— Conor Friedersdorf (@conor64) July 20, 2016
Paul Ryan momentarily forgets who his party just nominated, says: "It comes down to a battle of ideas, which is good news for us."
— Taniel (@Taniel) July 20, 2016
I can't see how Paul Ryan will have a successful political life after he endorsed and supports Trump
— (((david))) (@jakistheman) July 20, 2016
I've lost respect for Paul Ryan. Sad to see him clearly do something he doesn't want to for political reasons. Party before country?
— Haidi (@Shabruhbruh) July 20, 2016
I hope Paul Ryan heard the silence accompanying his speech... That was without a doubt the most uncommitted I've ever seen
— Trey Robinson (@TreySRobinson) July 20, 2016
Paul Ryan is an attention-whore, a sellout, and a RINO. Go pretend to wash pots and pans again. #RNCinCLE
— Marie-ElizabethDohar (@medohar) July 20, 2016
Soap opera stars more genuine than Paul Ryan was. #RNCinCLE
— Rachel Chazin (@RachelChazin) July 20, 2016
It's weird seeing people like Ben Carson Paul Ryan and the rest of the #RNCinCLE talking trump up when they hated him like 2 months ago #rnc
— Khaliq (@WastemanJoey) July 20, 2016
“In the plainest terms I know, it is all on the line. So, let's act that way,” he added, to the consternation of those who felt it sounded a little too condescending from someone who had once lingered on the fence or even criticized Trump before complimenting him.
“The Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. 2016 is the year America moves on,” Ryan continued, building up to more attacks that garnered large cheers.
“Progressives deliver everything but progress,” he said. “Yet we know better than most that Republicans can't win just on the failures of Democrats.”
“What do you say that we unify this party?” Ryan said. “Unity is everything”
