House Speaker Paul Ryan said his decision to retire was prompted by wanting to spend more time with his three teenaged children. "If I stay, my kids will only know me as a weekend dad. I can't let that happen," Ryan said. Ryan said he will retire in January and said he will continue to serve as speaker until then. He said his two biggest achievements were the major reform of the tax code and increasing military spending as he admitted he regretted not being able to reform entitlements. Ryan denied that his retirement is a signal the House will fall under the control of Democrats and said it should play no bearing on the race.
Read the full story: Paul Ryan puts optimistic spin on Republican prospects as he heads for exit