After keeping a low - profile , President Ryan emerges with key role in Washington 's negotiations . President Obama and Ryan are political rivals but not enemies . He changed the tenor of a meeting at the White House and engaged Obama . Obama and Ryan have past relationship that could benefit the negotiations .
After keeping a low-profile , Paul Ryan emerges with key role in Washington 's standoff . President Obama and Ryan are political rivals but not enemies . He changed the tenor of a meeting at the White House and engaged Obama . Obama and Ryan have past relationship that could benefit the negotiations .