Rep. Ryan leaves door open for VP run

Rep. Paul Ryan (R -Wis.) may have disappointed some conservatives when he ruled out a president bid earlier this month. But that doesn't mean that the chairman of the House Budget Committee wouldn't consider a spot on the national ticket.

Asked during an interview with MacIver News Service if he would accept a spot as a vice presidential candidate, the Republican lawmaker declined to rule out the possibility.

"Who knows? Like I said, I just cross bridges when I get to them," Ryan said.

The seven-term lawmaker said that he decided against running for president both because he felt that a presidential campaign would be disruptive to his young family, but also because he believed he could continue to be effective in the House. Still, Ryan said that "with any other job [than president] in politics, you can have a good, balanced family life."

Ryan went on to say that he hopes to support the eventual Republican nominee.

"I want to help whoever the nominee is going to be to advance [Ryan's economic agenda] and win the election," he said.

The congressman acknowledged that many Republicans were hopeful he would run.

"I was getting a lot of different folks from around the party and around the conservative movement to encourage me to take a look," Ryan said.

Ryan did emphasize that his position in the House as chairman of the budget committee - and second in line to chair the influential House Ways and Means Committee - meant that his best chance at making an impact on the federal budget may be to stay put.

"I can do so much more there in the House," he said.

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