Paul Ryan - Retirement

.@SpeakerRyan: "Today I am announcing that this year will be my last one as a member of the House. To be clear, I am not resigning."

Full video here: https://t.co/7zszdDITKT pic.twitter.com/VEUhMiaviR

— CSPAN (@cspan) April 11, 2018

Thank you, Wisconsin 01, for trusting me to be your representative in Congress. #WI01 #OnWisconsin https://t.co/Xix7Lxu2ax pic.twitter.com/ZM1olEP7Uy

— Paul Ryan (@PRyan) April 11, 2018

So, Paul Ryan will not seek reelection. His time in the House of Representatives and as Speaker of the House will end in January 2019.

Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man, and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

.@SpeakerRyan has become one of the most consequential political leaders of our time. https://t.co/jqgnSm3LXM pic.twitter.com/AwrhyYWIrp

— Governor Walker (@GovWalker) April 11, 2018

For any of us who are parents, we know exactly why Paul Ryan made the decision he did. His kids are teenagers and he wants to spend time with them. Paul is a personal friend to me and a friend to Wisconsin. We thank him for his service.

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) April 11, 2018

Love of country compelled Paul Ryan to accept the Speakership, a role he alone could fill at a critical time. He unified the House, passed scores of bills, and led with integrity, honor and dignity. The country will miss Speaker Ryan.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) April 11, 2018

If Ryan had been elected vice president in 2012, and if he had been reelected in 2016, Ryan would still have two more years as vice president. He would likely be expected to run for president in 2020.

I wonder if Ryan would have walked away from that to spend time with his kids. Rather than staying in Wisconsin, perhaps his family would have moved to Washington if he had served as vice president. In that case, he wouldn't have been a "weekend dad," but he would have been pretty busy.

I'm sure Ryan sincerely wants to spend more time with his kids, and he certainly is free to choose to do whatever he wants.

However, jumping ship right now is a problem. Ryan was a steadying force in the House. He's needed now more than ever.

It's unfortunate he's decided to leave. It's particularly unfortunate that he decided to give up his seat in the House without giving Republicans in Wisconsin much time to prepare for the challenge of replacing him. I suppose Republicans should have seen this coming.

People of Wisconsin's 1st district, please don't give us Randy Bryce, the Iron Stache.