Fournier: Paul Ryan Should ‘Let the Republican Party Burn Down’

DICKERSON: “But, Ron, isn’t the debate sometimes these technical — what one side says are technological issues or tactical issues, get raised to the level of ideology. And if you don’t follow a tactic that the Freedom Caucus wants, then you’re not a real conservative.”

FOURNIER: “That’s the thing. Yes, sure, he could be speaker, but why in the world would you want to be House speaker right now? Why would you want to lead a party, lead a caucus that doesn’t want to be led right now? Why do you want to deal with a base that is, you know, everything’s about hell no and we don’t like government right now. It might make more sense for a guy like Paul Ryan to kind of let the House burn down. Let the Republican Party burn down. Let there be great disruption. Why be the caretaker of the status quo, of a broken status quo, when maybe you could be the guy a cycle or two from now who helps the party come back from the ashes.”

MARCUS: “It’s not even the caretaker. It’s more like the kindergarten cop.”

FOURNIER: “Exactly. You bet.”

MARCUS: “And I think that what we’re going to see play out over the next several days is a question of power struggle and who goes first. Congressman Mulvaney was here talking about how the Freedom Caucus wants some assurances and convincing from Paul Ryan about what he’s willing to do for them and how strong he will be for them. I don’t think that’s Paul Ryan’s place. His play is, I am the reluctant speaker. If you guys really desperately want me to be speaker, which, by the way, they should because the alternatives are not very evident for them, I am not going to go hat in hand to you. You’re going to come to me. And I’m not going to give you these assurances you’re looking for.”