Republicans left thier party conference yesterday morning with looks of "stunned silence," according to the Washington Post. The faction-torn party was trying to find a consensus candidate to put up for speaker of the House, and apparently, didn't even come close. Former GOP vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan sat on the sidelines and remained silent. Ryan is being urged to stand for speaker by many lawmakers from both the establishment and conservative factions, and would probably be a shoo in should he choose to run. But Ryan is resisting the siren call of the leadership for a variety of reasons both personal and political. He's got a wife and three young children back in Janesville, WI, and likes his position as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. There's also the fact that the next speaker will be placed in a no win situation on the budget, the debt ceiling, and 2 or 3 other issues that will see Republicans at each other's...(Read Full Post)