Florida Congressman David Jolly, an unabashed supporter of Rep. Daniel Webster for Speaker of the House, admitted on Newsmax TV on Monday that only Paul Ryan could get unanimous support to replace John Boehner.
“Paul Ryan is an incredible leader in our party," Jolly said on Newsmax Now. "he's an intellectual giant. He can carry the message on behalf of Republicans. Paul Ryan is one candidate who possibly could get to a unanimous vote in the speaker's race. I don't believe anybody else in Congress can do that today."
House Republicans have been in chaos since current Speaker John Boehner's stunning Sept. 25 announcement that he would step down at the end of October. His top lieutenant, Kevin McCarthy, was expected to replace him, but suddenly backed out last week.
Watch
Newsmax TV on
DIRECTV Ch. 349,
DISH Ch. 223 and
Verizon FiOS Ch. 115. Get
Newsmax TV on your cable system –
Click Here Now
Ryan, a former Republican vice-presidential nominee, has so far resisted calls for him to enter the speaker race. Two others are already in it: Webster and Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who has said he would drop out if Ryan jumps in.
Texas Rep. Bill Flores said Monday
he will run for speaker of the House if Ryan, does not run.
"Paul has some very difficult decisions to make," Jolly told Newsmax TV. "Paul cares deeply about being home with his family. The pressure is going to build on Paul Ryan over the next week or two. I joke he should throw a cell phone in Lake Michigan because it's going to be raining a lot until he makes a decision."
With no Ryan in the mix, Jolly said he will continue to support Webster.
“Dan Webster and I have spoken about how we can achieve conservative victories while forever taking off the table the threat of a government shutdown and the leverage the president has when we get to Sept. 30th,” Jolly, a Florida Republican, told Newsmax TV's John Bachman.
“We have failed to legislate in Congress. We will accomplish far more for conservative policy goals if we get back to legislation.
“Dan Webster is the guy to do that. You know what I believe right now? We don't need a speaker to be the face of the party.”
That’s because, Jolly explained, the nation is gearing up for the 2016 presidential election.
“Our nominee will be the face of the party, will be the messenger for the party,” he said.
“We need a speaker of the House that simply governs and achieves results on behalf of the American people by governing.”
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.