How Paul Ryan's Budget Plan Could Bridge The GOP's Divide

Rep. Paul Ryan likened his 2-year budget agreement with Democrats to taking a few steps in the right direction.

But the bipartisan deal also carries potential value for Republicans and Ryan himself at a time when the party lacks a clear leader ahead of the 2014 election. If the agreement eventually comes to represent the badly needed bridge between Republican factions, Ryan was its builder.

In winning House passage of the bill this past week, Mitt Romney's 2012 running mate pushed fellow conservatives to recogni