I would have to concur with this. I think the problem with Ryan is that he is a politician first and foremost so he has to concern himself with PR relations and public opinion and he, I presume, did not get the public opinion on his side in this.
I still consider this a letdown of sorts, but I can understand where Ryan is coming from. The Tea party might need to win a majority in the House and Senate before they can get achieve all of their political goals. Not saying this makes Ryan particularly reliable, as he has show himself to be yet another career politician, but I think some level of realistic assessment is needed.
If the Tea Party starts relying on politicians of any kind to do their heavy lifting for them, this is not even scratching the surface as far as the letdowns and heartbreaks they will have to endure.
blackmail?