WASHINGTON – Despite political buzz, it appears that Paul Ryan, the former GOP vice presidential candidate, is shying away from a run for the White House in 2016.

POLITICO Executive Editor Jim VandeHei says that in conversations with friends, Ryan has expressed some interest in possibly running for a party leadership position down the road, but not for president.

However, VandeHei says he does not anticipate the Wisconsin Congressman will publicly announce his plans for 2016 any time soon.

“There’s no reason for him to close any doors for two to three years,” says VandeHei. “The more people think he might run, the more he can play off the celebrity that was created by being the vice presidential nominee last time around.”

Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)