Another Swamp Thang Writes a Book [OPINION]

The road to success for President Trump–and America–is littered with the carcasses of those who have attempted to stand in the way of the Trump Revolution and those who gambled that Trump would fail. Those left by the wayside include many Republicans.

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) is one such "Never Trumper" who miscalculated and it cost him his job and his political future. As Speaker of the House, Ryan was ineffective. He often caved to the minority and almost always seemed content to go along to get along. He talked a good game and actually led folks to believe that, if only the Republicans could control the White House and the Congress, the sky would be the limit.

Ryan promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, secure the border and lower the tax burden for middle-class Americans. When the time finally came he balked and was unable to deliver for Trump and the American people. He failed.

Ryan was a "Never Trumper" from the start. He fully expected a Clinton victory and then a quick end to a Trump presidency once Clinton was defeated. Ryan was wrong on both accounts. Ryan clearly exposed himself as a swamp dweller by his inability and lack of desire to make good on the very promises he made while his party was in virtual exile. He was never really committed to the causes he claimed to champion.

Ryan has a new book (doesn't everyone?) in which he is critical of Trump's style and lack of experience "he didn’t know anything about government...I wanted to scold him all the time," Ryan is reported to say in the book American Carnage. Ryan reportedly takes credit for saving Trump from himself: "Those of us around him really helped to stop him from making bad decisions. All the time. We helped him make much better decisions, which were contrary to kind of what his knee-jerk reaction was. Now I think he’s making some of these knee-jerk reactions,” according to sources familiar with the soon-to-be-released book.

Ryan went up against Trump and lost. Now he wants to tell us all about how Trump is failing. He gambled that Trump wouldn't last and he was wrong about that, too. It's going to be hard for Ryan to convince the public that Trump is a failure when all one has to do is take a look at his accomplishments.

Politics is a contact sport. There once was a time when if you lost you walked away and went about your life. It's a different day and age as everyone has a tell-all book to peddle which allows them to shift some of the blame for their own failings onto someone else, usually the winner.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.