Why Paul Ryan's Departure Sends Shudders Through the GOP and White House

WASHINGTON -- Speaker Paul Ryan's decision to retire isn't a good omen for the Republican Party.Congressional leaders don't up and quit when they're on top -- not if they can reasonably foresee years of uninterrupted power ahead. They don't walk away when they have a reliable ally in the White House pushing the same agenda.But those aren't the conditions Ryan faces."I have every confidence that I'll be handing this gavel on to the next Republican speaker of the House next year," Ryan said, despite growing evidence that the 2018 midterms will deal a body blow to his party.He also insisted that dealing with President Donald Trump and coping with the chaos Trump has brought to Washington and the party had nothing to do with his decision.  Continue reading...