BATTLE Paul Ryan vs. Donald Trump

House Speaker Paul Ryan said this afternoon that he cannot yet support Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

"I'm just not ready to do that at this point. I'm not there right now," he told CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper" in an interview.

"The bulk of the burden on unifying the party will have to come from our presumptive nominee," Ryan said. "I don't want to underplay what he accomplished. ... But he also inherits something very special, that's very special to a lot of us. This is the party of Lincoln and Reagan and Jack Kemp. And we don't always nominate a Lincoln or a Reagan every four years, but we hope that our nominee aspires to be Lincoln- or Reagan-esque -- that that person advances the principles of our party and appeals to a wide, vast majority of Americans."

He continued: "And so, I think what is necessary to make this work, for this to unify, is to actually take our principles and advance them. And that's what we want to see. Saying we're unified doesn't in and of itself unify us, but actually taking the principles that we all believe in, showing that there's a dedication to those, and running a principled campaign that Republicans can be proud about and that can actually appeal to a majority of Americans -- that, to me, is what it takes to unify this party."

Trump responded to Ryan saying in a statement that "I am not ready to support Speaker Ryan's agenda. Perhaps in the future we can work together and come to an agreement about what is best for the American people. They have been treated so badly for so long that it is about time for politicians to put them first!"

Later on CNN, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry told CNN Thursday he will support Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee and will do everything he can do to help him get elected.

"He is not a perfect man. But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them," Perry said.

"I believe in the process, and the process has said Donald Trump will be our nominee and I'm going to support him and help him and do what I can," Perry said.

"He is one of the most talented people who has ever run for the president I have ever seen," he added.

 -RW

UPDATE

(via The Hill)

A Republican National Committee spokesman said Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan may meet next week.

"What the chairman [Reince Priebus] wants to do is bring them together. My understanding is that's going to happen," RNC communications director Sean Spicer said on CNN's "The Situation Room." . “My understanding is that they’re working on a date for next week."