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Trump, Ryan pledge to work together — but no endorsement

WASHINGTON — Paul Ryan and Donald Trump pledged Thursday to work together to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the fall general election — though the Republican House speaker again stopped short of formally endorsing his party's presumptive presidential nominee.

WASHINGTON — Paul Ryan and Donald Trump pledged Thursday to work together to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the fall general election — though the Republican House speaker again stopped short of formally endorsing his party's presumptive presidential nominee.

"The United States cannot afford another four years of the Obama White House, which is what Hillary Clinton represents," Ryan and Trump said in a joint statement issued after their private meeting. "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."

Ryan and Trump also said they were "honest about our few differences," and more discussions will be scheduled. They said they "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."

Speaking later with reporters, Ryan declined to answer directly whether he expects to endorse Trump, though he described his session with the New York businessman in unfailingly positive terms and gave every indication that the process is headed toward eventual support.

“We’re off to a very good start,” Ryan said, adding that aides to him and Trump will be meeting "to just walk through the details” of their issue agendas. The House speaker said it is "no secret" that he and the presumptive nominee have their differences and full unity "takes more than 45 minutes."

Trump tweeted that he had a "great day in D.C." with Ryan and other Republican leaders, and things are "working out really well!"

Both Trump and Ryan struck conciliatory notes before and after their meeting, which was devoted to disputes over issues like free trade, immigration, taxes and entitlement reform.

Participants began planning the meeting after Ryan announced last week he is not yet prepared to back Trump's presidential bid, even as he wrapped up the GOP nomination with a series of big primary wins.

 

The summit with Ryan began a trio of unity meetings for Trump on Thursday. The businessman-turned-candidate also met with a larger group of other House Republican leaders and Senate Republicans. The latter crowd included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who described it as "a very good, constructive meeting."

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who sat in on the Trump-Ryan summit, tweeted that "the meeting was great. It was a very positive step toward party unity."

Some Democrats expressed skepticism that Trump and Ryan can ever get along. David Axelrod, long-time adviser to President Obama, said on Twitter their commitment to work together "is like me saying I'm totally committed to losing 10 lbs. We'll see."

Ryan characterized Trump personally in positive terms, telling reporters that the nominee-in-waiting is "a very warm and genuine person," and they had "a very pleasant exchange." The Wisconsin Republican declined to say whether Trump offered him any assurance that he would moderate his tone and language in the campaign, something Ryan has repeatedly expressed concern about.

"It was important we discussed our differences," Ryan said. "It was also important we discuss the core principles that tie us all together.”

Ryan also said that Trump wants him to remain chairman of the upcoming Republican convention in July, and “I am happy to serve in that capacity.”

Protesters and reporters camped out in front of Republican national headquarters as Trump and Ryan met inside.

The demonstrators included a Trump impersonator wearing a giant, coiffed Trump head who delivered a stand-up impersonation of the real estate mogul, ridiculing his rhetoric and views.

A few counter-protesters also showed up, including Ben Williams, who played the bagpipes as protesters chanted away.

Williams, whose selections included Amazing Grace and the Marine Corps anthem, said he wanted to provide an "alternate sound" to the protesters and in support of the efforts of both political parties to advance their agendas.

Anti-Trump protesters, meanwhile, chanted in Spanish and English and held signs calling the Republican candidate "dangerous," "divisive" and "deceitful."

As Trump raced to the nomination, many Republicans criticized him for opposition to free trade agreements, immigration legislation, and certain U.S. military commitments. While Ryan has said the government needs to address the rising costs of entitlements — a key part of his legislative program — Trump says Republicans should not touch programs like Medicare and Social Security.

Trump and Ryan have also clashed throughout the campaign. The House speaker criticized Trump over his proposal to impose a temporary ban on Muslim entry into the United States and his apparent reluctance to disavow the support of white supremacists. Trump has criticized Ryan's proposed budget cuts and his performance as Mitt Romney's running mate during the 2012 presidential election.

Ryan had said he did not have “huge expectations” for his meeting with Trump, that achieving real unity will take time and hard work and that the two men need to get to know each other — all suggesting that an endorsement isn't imminent.

But there’s a great deal at stake in how their relationship unfolds. If Trump goes on to the White House and Ryan remains speaker, it could set the tone for a hugely consequential partnership.

The speaker could face real political risks in withholding his support.

Trump’s clinching of the nomination is increasing his popularity among GOP voters, some national polls suggest, raising the potential cost of opposing him. Some GOP colleagues are impatient that Ryan hasn't endorsed yet. 

At the same time, there are many Republicans in Congress who share Ryan's concerns about Trump and welcome the waiting game. Some GOP members fear a Trump loss in November that could also cost the party its control of the House and Senate.

Back home in Wisconsin, however, Ryan's political risks appear relatively low.

Ryan has a GOP primary this summer against a political newcomer, businessman Paul Nehlen. But polls in Wisconsin show Ryan is far more popular than Trump in his home district, giving him some leeway in how he handles the situation.

Yet some Trump allies, including 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, have threatened to support Ryan's primary opponent if he does not come around.

In a Facebook post Thursday, Palin said that Trump should not cede "any victorious ground to the losers who got us into the mess we're in. And he won't. He'll own the meeting like a boss."

Ryan, meanwhile, doesn’t sound too worried about a backlash.

Asked by Janesville radio host Stan Milam Tuesday how much sleep he was losing over “the specter of Sarah Palin coming to town to campaign against you,” Ryan laughed and said: “I’m not. I’m doing just fine ... I’m not sweating that stuff.”

 

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