Ryan tiptoes along fiscal cliff’s edge

[Geee]

The Hill:

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has become the biggest political star in the House, but his role in the delicate negotiations on the fiscal cliff could dim his presidential aspirations.

Ryan is in a tricky position. He is advising Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in the talks and is expected to support his leader. Boehner helped Ryan secure a waiver to serve another term as Budget Committee chairman and has invited him to daily leadership meetings.

But if Ryan backs an agreement between Boehner and President Obama that falls flat with the party base, it could become a political liability.

 

Ryan reportedly has been unhappy with the direction of the talks between Boehner and Obama. On Wednesday, however, he came out in support of Boehner’s fallback proposal to extend the George W. Bush-era tax rates for annual family income below $1 million.

“Chairman Ryan will continue to work to protect as many Americans as possible from tax hikes. Chairman Ryan believes that Speaker Boehner’s ‘Plan B’ meets that criteria,” said Conor Sweeney, Ryan’s spokesman.