will ryan be the 2016 gop nominee

[Rhodie]

He's "next in line" now, for sure. He'll likely have to fend off a very strong challenge from Christie in the next open election, though.

Isn't the next in line Rick Santorum, at least as far as the history of the GOP and its presidential nominees is concerned?

Good point if you look at 1976, 1980, 1988 and 2000, where the runner up would become GOP nominee later on.