A deeply divided Republican Party took a major step toward victory yesterday. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan met yesterday morning to discuss their differences as well as areas of agreement. After their meeting on Capitol Hill, they issued the following statement:
The United States cannot afford another four years of the Obama White House, which is what Hillary Clinton represents. That is why it’s critical that Republicans unite around our shared principles, advance a conservative agenda, and do all we can to win this fall.
With that focus, we had a great conversation this morning. While we were honest about our few differences, we recognize that there are also many important areas of common ground. We will be having additional discussions, but remain confident there’s a great opportunity to unify our party and win this fall, and we are totally committed to working together to achieve that goal.
We are extremely proud of the fact that many millions of new voters have entered the primary system, far more than ever before in the Republican Party’s history. This was our first meeting, but it was a very positive step toward unification.
In a press conference shortly afterwards, Speaker Ryan said he was “very encouraged” by the meeting. Ryan continued to praise Donald Trump’s record of winning the most Republican primary votes ever — even before California has voted — and for bringing more voters to the GOP banner.
And when pressed by reporters about his differences with Trump, Ryan reminded them that even as the vice presidential nominee in 2012, he and Mitt Romney did not always agree on everything.
Gary L. Bauer served in President Ronald Reagan’s administration for eight years, as Under Secretary of Education and as President Reagan’s Chief Domestic Policy Advisor.
