Paul Ryan Says He Doesn't Want To Be Speaker

"I could've decided to go on the elected leadership route years ago"

SAN ANTONIO — Rep. Paul Ryan said he does not want to be speaker of the House, a declaration that will cause reverberations in Republican leadership circles in Washington.

During a wide-ranging luncheon in a hotel ballroom here Thursday, Texas Tribune editor-in-chief Evan Smith asked: "Does Paul Ryan want to be speaker?"

"No, he doesn't," Ryan replied.

"When Janna and I joined [Mitt Romney's presidential] ticket, we looked at what would this do to our family and we realized that actually we would see each other more in the vice presidency than as a member of the House," Ryan said, explaining his decision. "We would see each other less in the speakership than as a member of the House."