Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) appears poised to become the next speaker of the U.S. House; an election is expected this coming week.  I’ve always liked Paul Ryan and dutifully voted for him in 2012, but I’ve been reading some disquieting articles about him lately.

On Oct 21, Human Events ran “Save Us From Paul Ryan And The Kemp Boys” by Ann Coulter.  Miss Ann is merciless in her analysis of Mr. Ryan:

Ryan, for example, is a huge supporter of driving down Hispanic wages by endlessly dumping low-wage workers on the country. Empowerment!

Two years ago, Ryan bragged to a Catholic radio station: “I actually campaigned with Jack Kemp against a thing called Prop 187.”

That “thing” was an overwhelmingly popular initiative to prevent illegal aliens from collecting government benefits. It gave Republicans their biggest victory in California in the last 30 years, was supported by a majority of blacks, a majority of whites, a majority of Asians and 31 percent of Hispanics.

Two years later, the Dole-Kemp ticket got only 21 percent of the Hispanic vote. That’s worse than Romney! (These empowerment types really have their finger on the pulse of ethnic America!)

Under Coulter’s harsh light, Ryan comes off as Democrat Lite.

On Oct. 23, National Review ran “Paul Ryan’s Selection as Speaker Represents All That’s Wrong with the GOP” by Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies (website):

Ryan doesn’t just hold these views in the abstract; he’s the most active and committed supporter of amnesty and increased immigration who is anywhere near leadership. As a recent Frontline documentary showed, Ryan was instrumental in almost getting an amnesty/immigration-surge bill passed last year. In fact, I didn’t appreciate how close Ryan came to passing a version of the Schumer-Rubio Gang of Eight bill through the House in 2014.

One of the reasons Donald Trump’s candidacy has caught fire is because of his position on immigration.  The two articles above show Ryan as being out of step with the country on this issue.  (Republican supporters of progressive causes might soon be reminded that “primary” can be a verb.)

After Reagan, the most important elective Republican in more than a century is former Speaker Newt Gingrich.  Newt presided over the most responsible and successful Congress in ages.  If House Republicans want to be successful again, they should seriously consider asking Mr. Gingrich to lead them again as the next speaker of the House.

Do you hear me, Freedom Caucus?

Jon N. Hall is a programmer/analyst from Kansas City.