Stephen Colbert badgers Paul Ryan to say at least 'maybe' to GOP nomination

With Donald Trump winning New York's Republican primary, putting him one big step closer to the GOP nomination, some Republicans are searching frantically for a white knight, Stephen Colbert said on Tuesday's Late Show. "The hot name on a lot of Republican lips right now is Speaker of the House Paul Ryan," Colbert said. "They believe he would be a better alternative to Trump and [Ted] Cruz, more likely to attract moderate voters and less likely to haunt your Robitussin-induced nightmares." Ryan keeps on saying he won't accept the nomination, though, and to talk about that, Colbert spoke with "Late Show Speaker Paul Ryan expert Speaker Paul Ryan."

Ryan was making his first appearance on a late-night show, but doing it over satellite feed from his office. Colbert asked him about how House Republicans plan on differentiating themselves from the GOP presidential candidates, and after Ryan gave a long and fairly detailed answer, Colbert asked him if he would accept the GOP nomination. Ryan said no, so Colbert asked again. And again. And again. "Let me say it in clear English: no!" Ryan said finally. Colbert asked him to say it in German, then Russian, and Ryan came through. "Wow, you seem to know a lot of foreign languages," Colbert said. "That kind of international experience will really come in handy if you decide to accept the Republican nomination, sir."

Colbert did finally get one "strong maybe" form Ryan, for an invitation back on the show. So there's that. Watch below. Peter Weber

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