Paul Ryan: Not Running For President

He's out before he was even in:

After a week of rumors that he was consulting with advisers and family members on a possible presidential run, we have learned from the Ryan camp that the House Budget Committee chair has decided not to throw his hat into the ring.

More at the Weekly Standard:

Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan has decided for a final time that he will not run for president in 2012, THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned. Ryan, who began seriously considering a bid in late May after Indiana governor Mitch Daniels took himself out of the race, had consulted with top Republicans, including Karl Rove and Frank Luntz, as he contemplated his political future. And though many of those he talked with told him he would be a viable candidate in such a fluid race, even as a late entry, Ryan ultimately decided to continue his focus on debt and entitlement reform as chairman of the House Budget Committee.

I think he would have some credibility issues with the base if he ran. Not because of his Roadmap To America but from his record under the Bush years. He voted for No Child Left Behind and Medicare Part D and other government programs under George Bush. To now say that he's for fiscal responsibility seems more for political reasons rather than an actual Road to Damascus conversion to fiscal conservatism.

He's better off where he is now.