Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, appears to be looking at a potential run for the presidency in 2020, but is pointing out that his focus remains on the 2018 midterm elections.
"Right now, I am, and I think a lot of people are solely focused on 2018," Ryan said Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "I do want to be a part of that national dialogue that's happening out there of what Democrats should stand for."
Panelist Mark Halperin appeared to be seeking a direct answer about running for president, asking Ryan, "When you look in the mirror, do you see a president?"
"Not right now, I don't," Ryan responded.
On Sunday, he addressed the idea that he might run in an interview on WMUR TV.
"I have no idea at this point, but we'll see. I like being out around the country, I like talking about this, I like crafting the message, and I think, you know, maybe the country needs somebody from a place like Youngstown, Ohio that has really tried to develop the local economy at the local level," Ryan said.
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Also during the MSNBC interview, the congressman criticized President Donald Trump saying it was "hard to deal" with him. "I want to try and solve some problems, but this president, with his deep insecurities, makes it so difficult," Ryan said.
Ryan has issued criticism of President Donald Trump before, slamming him for taking days to rebuke white supremacists following the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
"All it took was three days of crushing public pressure," Ryan tweeted.
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