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But lots of other people want him. When Ryan was selected as running mate to Mitt Romney in 2012, he was viewed as the “true” conservative needed to shore up Romney’s reputation as dangerously moderate. While Romney went down to defeat, Ryan – playing second fiddle — emerged with his reputation enhanced as a solid campaigner and innovative thinker. He similarly added to his allure when he refused to accept the Speakership – the most powerful position within the House of Representatives – after John Boehner stepped down in disgust at the antics of the tea party and its adherents.

“While I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received, I will not be a candidate,” Ryan insisted when he was repeatedly proposed as a replacement to Boehner. Only after weeks of pressure, in which he was touted as the only man capable of uniting the divided party, did he agree, letting everyone know he was still reluctant, but willing to take the job for the sake of the party.

By declining to push himself forward, Ryan has succeeded in becoming the candidate everyone wants

Now he’s the favoured replacement for Cruz or Trump, whichever of the two emerges from the convention in Cleveland as the party nominee. His announcement last week was intended to derail persistent talk that he might be recruited as a compromise candidate should neither Cruz or Trump secure the nomination on the first few ballots.

Once again, Ryan is using a show of reluctance in a way that can only enhance his popularity. It would have been plain foolishness to allow his name to stand as a deadlock-breaker in Cleveland. If he’d lost, he’d have badly damaged his reputation, opening himself to accusations of disloyalty and overweening ambition.