Dennis Ross might be part of Paul Ryan’s leadership team but the Florida Republican is on Donald Trump’s side in his feud with the House speaker.
Ross, the senior deputy majority whip, had Trump’s back in an interview with Politico published on Friday. The Florida Republican broke with Ryan over the House speaker’s refusal to endorse Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential candidate.
“Trust me, I haven’t been on the Donald Trump bandwagon, but I will support him, and I disagree with Ryan’s comment,” Ross told Politico. “I think it’s time we unite (and) … extend an olive branch and start working this out.”
Ross wasn’t the only member of the House leadership to break with Ryan on the matter. Georgia Republican Lynn Westmoreland did as well.
Pointing to Trump’s big win in the Florida primary back in March, Ross insisted Republicans across the country were sick of politics as usual and the GOP should respond accordingly.
“I’m listening: They’re fed up with Washington politicians,” Ross told Politico, noting that 45 percent of Republicans in his district backed Trump. “And unfortunately I think there are some in my party who don’t get what is happening.
“I think we all should humble ourselves to a degree and unite,” Ross continued. “We can’t be angry and upset and say, ‘We’re just going to take our ball and go home.’ That is not why we were elected. We’re supposed to be leaders and play with the cards we’re dealt.”
But Ryan’s not alone in not backing Trump. With the exception of Bob Dole, almost every living Republican presidential nominee--Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and Mitt Romney--said last week they would not support Trump. Neither would some of his defeated primary rivals like Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham. John McCain said over the weekend he is open to backing Trump but the presumptive nominee would have to meet certain conditions, including apologizing for his comments on McCain's war record.
Trump is scheduled to meet Ryan later this week.
