• by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, April 13, 2016

Conservative pundits have been flirting with a Paul Ryan nomination for a while. Following weeks of steadfast aversion to running for president, Ryan made a clear and poignant statement yesterday ruling himself out.

“I do not want, nor will I accept, the Republican nomination,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said at the Republican National Committee headquarters, yesterday.

Many doubters have pointed to Ryan’s numerous rejections when asked to lead the Republican party in the U.S. House of Representatives as Speaker. Ryan did all he could to counter that reasoning: “Apples and oranges. Speaker of the House is a far cry from being president of the United States. I was already in the House. I am already a congressman.”

The distinction is clear. What is also evident is that Ryan could emerge from the current turmoil in the Republican party with scores of backers and a wealth of clout, having adamantly stood against the populism of Trump.

Unmoved by calls for the nomination, Speaker Ryan can position himself in commanding fashion come 2020 and 2024. As Jake Sherman wrote in Politico, “If Hillary Clinton wins -- most Republicans in Congress are convinced she will -- he might take a look at a 2020 bid.”

For one, Paul Ryan will have significant name-recognition in any subsequent election cycle, not only as Speaker, but as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential candidate in 2012.

Ryan gave additional reasons as to why he would never accept the Republican nomination for president: “We have too much work in the House to allow this speculation to swirl or to have my motivations questioned.”

Still, Ryan made sure to affirm that he would remain active in the presidential campaign, “Not running does not mean I’m going to disappear. … This [will] be a policy and communications focused Speakership.”

It may be foolish to completely rule Ryan out with as a few months left until the Republican National Convention, which starts July 18.  But it’s difficult to see any real chance after hearing: “I chose not to do this; therefore, I should not be considered. Period. End of story.”