Paul Ryan Waffles On Whether Trump Can Win

Politico‘s Glenn Thrush grilled Paul Ryan on Trump’s chances:

When I asked Ryan if he intends to keep calling out Trump, he responded like a high school dean talking about a truant who happens to be the most popular kid at school. “I will,” he said. “I’ve done that in the past, and I will do that in future if need be, and I hope it’s not necessary.”

Is Trump a conservative “at his core?” I asked. He punted. “You should ask him those questions,” said Ryan. “I’m not the person to be giving you the breakdown of Donald Trump. That’s not my job and responsibility.”

OK, how about Trump’s prospects in November against Hillary Clinton? Sure, Ryan allowed, he’s got a chance — and he predicts the rise of “Trump Democrats.”

But when I pushed him, asked if he would bet his own money on a Trump victory, he demurred. “I’m not going to — I’m not a betting man,” he said — adding a list of conditions that, more or less, contradicted Trump’s entire approach to politics thus far.

“I think if we get our party unified, and if we do the work we need to do to get ourselves at full strength, and if we offer the country a clear and compelling agenda that is inspiring, that is inclusive, that fixes problems, that is solutions-based and based on good principles, then, yes, I think we can win.”