AP: Anonymous Ryan "allies" say he has many bright options

(That was last week. Anonymous Romney insiders then followed this discussion of Ryan's possible "post-Mitt Romney future" by telling Politico Ryan wasn't their first choice, Chris Christie was. Okay. Well, tomorrow aside, those who've been wondering how Ryan's felt about being shuffled to the background like an ugly cousin at a fancy wedding may have a clue in this "leak" to the AP. Also, that they're not nearly as optimistic as they'd like to be at this point.)

VP Ryan? Prof. Ryan? GOP nominee's future unclear

By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press – 4 days ago   

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Professor Ryan? Lobbyist Ryan? Maybe back to plain-old Rep. Ryan or future President Ryan?

"If Paul Ryan loses his bid to become vice president, he is still a man with options. The wonky chairman of the House Budget Committee is one of the Republicans' best voices in explaining fiscal issues. Should Mitt Romney's presidential bid fail, Ryan will be a much-sought-after figure in political and business circles."

"Publicly, Ryan and his closest allies maintain that momentum is behind the Romney-Ryan ticket. They aren't entertaining any talk about anything different from Ryan settling into the vice president's residence in January. Ryan already has met once with Mike Leavitt, the former health and human services secretary who is building a government-in-waiting for Romney, Ryan advisers said.

But Ryan's biggest boosters realize he probably can write his own ticket, win or lose on Nov. 6.

These Ryan allies spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private proposals they were preparing for him. They insist Ryan is not worried about anything beyond the election and is not planning anything except being a governing partner to Romney.

They say that if he fails, Ryan's instincts will be to return to the House — he is running for re-election to his House seat at the same time he's Romney's running mate — and resume his role as Budget Committee chairman.

Some senior Republicans caution it might not be that easy. If Romney loses, Ryan will be seen as a leading White House contender in 2016. He will be a national party figure even without being a top member of the House leadership. That could breed resentment among current Republican leaders and perhaps splinter coalitions within the already fractured GOP alliances at the top of the House."

The whole article, with long list of bright-future speculations, below.

As some may remember, Ryan's the investment pick for some big-money backers, including a number of large financial and insurance firms and the Koch brothers, who're investing a great deal of money in his career.