House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan says he would consider running as the vice-presidential nominee on the Republican ticket but said he is focused on his congressional duties and his budget plan rather than higher office.
"I would have to consider it, but it’s not something I’m even thinking about right now," the Wisconsin Republican said on "Fox News Sunday."
Ryan has often been mentioned a possible vice presidential candidate, given his record in Congress as a budget expert.
When Fox host Chris Wallace pressed Ryan about the fact that many have suggested him as a potential VP candidate, Ryan responded: "Who knows about that. I just don’t know the answer to your question, Chris. It’s not a bridge I’ve even come even close to crossing. It is a decision somebody else makes a long time from now. I’m focused on doing my job in Congress."
Ryan said believes Mitt Romney is closing in on the Republican nomination, although he noted that he is glad Wisconsinites will get their say in their April 3 primary.
"We are pretty relevant in Wisconsin," Ryan said. "I don’t know if I’d say he has it wrapped up. He is clearly on his way. I think he is becoming the prohibitive front-runner. I think the sooner we coalesce around a nominee, the better off we are going to be. The prize is November, not this summer."
He refused to say, as others have, that Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich should pull out of the race.
"I’m not going to get into telling these guys what to do," Ryan said.
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