Rep. Ryan seeks unity from House GOP to run for speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is seeking unity in a place it's rarely found, telling House Republicans he will serve as their speaker only if they embrace him by week's end as their consensus candidate.

It's a big "if" for a House GOP that's careened from one crisis to another in recent years. That includes a compromise-averse band of hardliners forcing a partial government shutdown two years ago, driving out the current House speaker, and scaring off his No. 2.

That left Ryan, the GOP's 2012 vice presidential nominee, to get dragged reluctantly into seeking a job he never wanted. As he announced late Tuesday that he would seek the speakership, Ryan made clear that he would do so only with conditions.