The Virginia Republican, asked Monday if Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, should run, Cantor said “sure,” adding that Ryan shows “real leadership.”
It’s a striking statement from the No. 2 House Republican, who is the highest-level lawmaker to call for Ryan to enter the 2012 contest. Other conservative figures started the unofficial draft Ryan push after Gov. Mitch Daniels announced he wouldn’t jump into the race this weekend.
Cantor also said that presidential candidates should “embrace our formula in the Ryan budget,” a stance some candidates have been hesitant to take because of the politically risky proposed changes to Medicare included in the plan.
Ryan and Cantor, along with Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, are close friends and wrote a book together on the future of the Republican party.
Cantor ruled out running himself. “Absolutely not,” he said when asked. “I have no intention or desire to run.”
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