Ryan says he’s keeping his options open for 2016

By Steve Peoples, Associated Press

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 | 8:30 p.m.

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Rep. Paul Ryan, the most recent Republican nominee for vice president, said Tuesday he's keeping his options open about a prospective run for president but won't look at the 2016 contest in earnest until after Congress breaks for the year.

Ryan, R-Wis., said he is focused on his job as House Budget Committee chairman and would "worry about those things later on."

Ryan briefly visited New Hampshire's largest city to headline a Tuesday night fundraiser for a former House colleague, Frank Guinta, who is running for the seat he lost in 2012 — the year GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and Ryan lost their bid against Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

New Hampshire traditionally hosts the nation's first presidential primary election.

In discussing his political future with reporters outside the private event, Ryan offered harsh words for Obama's willingness to bypass Congress on some issues.

"This administration is becoming increasingly lawless by the day," Ryan charged, suggesting that Congress would not take up "big pieces of legislation" before recessing for the year because of Obama's failed leadership.

The Wisconsin Republican discounted the GOP's intraparty skirmishes as "creative tension" and praised the tea party's influence on the Republican Party.

"I think they have done a great service to bring us to become a real fiscal conservative party," he said. "Before 2010, I think our party lost its moorings."

Asked whether Romney should run again for president, Ryan responded, "I'd love it if he did, but I don't think he would."