As Republicans in the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly nominated Paul Ryan to be their next speaker, some privately expressed concerns. “I keep thinking that before we get to officially elect him, he’ll get lifted up to Heaven on a golden chariot with steeds of light, and then we’ll be stuck finding a new candidate,” said California Rep. Devin Nunes. He added, “But that would show the Democrats.” Another back bencher, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, similarly worries about Ryan moving on: “What if the UN gets together and they decide they want to elect a world king? They’d have to want Paul to do that. And he’s so humble and committed to helping the world that he’d take the job.” Outgoing speaker John Boehner commented, “I keep thinking that Paul should be preserved in amber for people to wonder at for all time. I hope he doesn’t hear that because he’ll do it, just to help out.”