Paul Ryan Close to Entering 2012 Presidential Race?

According to Stephen Hayes at the Weekly Standard, a new name could be entering the already crowded Republican presidential primaries -- U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the chief architect of the GOPs federal budget proposal earlier in the year. Hayes reports that Ryan is seriously considering entering the contest.

Ryan might be sensing an opportunity with Tim Pawlenty out, Mitt Romey reeling after placing behind Rick Perry in the Iowa straw poll, Jon Huntsman flopping, and some Republicans fearing Perry and Michele Bachmann are too conservative for the general election.