This is my first attempt at armchair political analysis.  Let’s see how this goes…

I was trying to think about the logic in John Boehner “picking” Paul Ryan to lead the budget negotiations.    In trying to analyze a decision that a person makes, I try to put myself in that person’s shoes.   I try to ask myself what motivates an individual.

My major assumption on what motivates the Speaker is that he really doesn’t care if taxes go up, but wants to keep his Speakership and avoid a primary challenge.

So what would cost him his job?  Probably any deal that goes off the reservation on taxes.   The reason is because most of the House did not pay any real political price for their economic positions (I understand gerrymandering played a role).   My speculation is that true conservatives think they have been validated.