Hugh Hewitt: Paul Ryan Could be 'Tremendous' as House Speaker
The conservative radio show host also discusses the 2016 race for president.
— -- This week we asked conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt, who participated in the CNN GOP debate, a few questions about the 2016 race for president, newly elected GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan and the controversy over the Republican debate. Hewitt will join the "This Week" roundtable Sunday.
1. Let's talk about Jeb Bush. Why do you think he chose to go after Marco Rubio at the debate this week? Is Bush's campaign in real trouble?
HEWITT: In Danny Diaz and Tim Miller, as well as Michael Murphy at the appropriate legal distance, Governor Bush is advised by the Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance of political strategists. They obviously concluded that Senator Rubio is Bush's principle opponent in the all-important battle for Florida on 3/15, so they are "preparing the political battlefield" for March. Too early to see or say whether it is a good or effective strategy. It was certainly one that lacked an element of surprise.
2. Do you see any scenario in which Mitt Romney enters the 2016 race for president? He has not stayed silent throughout the campaign. What is his calculus?
HEWITT: No.
3. How would you assess Ben Carson's foreign policy credentials?
HEWITT: Dr. Carson has traveled extensively and has been studying quite a bit as evidenced to me by his improving grasp of the particulars of various foreign policy debates. He drew 1,500 people to Colorado Christian University on the day after this week's debate. They are quite obviously satisfied with his ascent on that particular learning curve.
4. Reince Priebus, in a letter to NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack, wrote CNBC’s “handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith.” Agree? Do you agree with the action of the RNC?
HEWITT: I think the chairman is well within his rights to insist on another round of conversations with the corporate parent of a debate partner that clearly did not deliver on the expectations of the RNC, the candidates or the audience. I would not be surprised if Priebus and NBC's Andrew Lack meet and confer and come out with an agreement that, while preserving journalistic integrity, also guarantees more experienced panelists are asking the questions. I wouldn't be surprised if, for example, Chuck Todd ends up as the only person on the stage along with National Review's Rich Lowry (and maybe Tom Brokaw). It doesn't make sense to deny the GOP primary audience another opportunity to view the candidates, but it does make sense to insist that the panelists and the moderator are more practiced at the specific skill of asking good, tough but non-combative non-ideologically tinged questions. The objective is to serve GOP primary voters making a choice about whom to nominate to oppose former Secretary of State Clinton, and Priebus is right to seek to protect that and Lack, as an experienced, successful news executive will defend his network while also meeting some of these legitimate, heartfelt and widespread criticisms.
5. Will Paul Ryan be a more effective speaker than John Boehner? Why or why not?
HEWITT: Paul Ryan is one of the most effective and principled communicators on the national stage. Either he will be a tremendous Speaker or it will be decades before anyone succeeds as Speaker. I expect him to succeed because he believes deeply in the Constitution and the country's future.
