Paul Ryan Was 'Frustrated' By Conservative Groups, But Still Thinks They Are 'Very Important'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says he was frustrated with conservative groups that protested the bipartisan budget deal he helped engineer, but distanced himself from House Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) public criticism of the groups.

The House Budget Committee chairman tells NBC's "Meet the Press" that these groups are "very important elements" of the conservative movement. But the Wisconsin Republican says discussions about these groups should be kept "within the family."

"I think John just got his Irish up there," Ryan said. "I think these groups are valuable. The way I look at it is this: They're part of our conservative family. I'd prefer to keep these conversation within our family."

Ryan also responded to conservative criticism of his deal on NBC's Meet The Press, saying, "You don't get everything you want in divided government."

The 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate says he shares the same goals as the groups — trying to balance the budget and pay off debts without raising taxes. But Ryan says they sometimes differ on tactics.

Ryan says the compromise agreement is an important first step.

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Source: huffingtonpost.com/
Author:  AP/The Huffington Post