Former House Speaker Paul Ryan walked back comments he reportedly made earlier this week that President Trump’s personality could cost him the 2020 election.
“The person who defines that race is going to win the race. If this is about Donald Trump and his personality, he isn’t going to win it,” Ryan said during a speech in Vero Beach, Florida, according to TCPalm.com. This was one of Ryan's first public appearance since retiring from Congress in 2018.
GOP leaders did not agree, however, forcing the Wisconsin Republican to comment further.
“To be clear, GOP wins elections when they’re about ideas not when they’re personality contests like Dems & media want,” he tweeted Wednesday. “We’re clearly better off because of @RealDonaldTrump. His record of accomplishment is why he’ll win re-election especially when compared to Dems’ leftward lurch.”
To be clear, GOP wins elections when they’re about ideas not when they’re personality contests like Dems & media want. We’re clearly better off because of @RealDonaldTrump. His record of accomplishment is why he’ll win re-election especially when compared to Dems’ leftward lurch.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) March 13, 2019
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the day prior that he “disagreed” with Paul’s assessment.
“I believe this president will win re-election,” McCarthy told reporters at a House GOP weekly press conference. “I believe this president could run on many different items, mostly about what he promised he would do for the American public and which he’s been able to achieve.”
He added: "I think you're pinpointing maybe one minute of a one-hour rally."