If Paul Ryan couldn't handle "House of Cards" after the first couple episodes, then the rest of the series really would have left him squirming.
"I watched... until [Frank Underwood] cheated on his wife with that reporter," Ryan, the 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate, told Parade. "It turned my stomach so much that I just couldn't watch it anymore."
Ryan also didn't appreciate the Netflix series' portrayal of Congressional politics. The actions of Kevin Spacey's Underwood hit a little "too close to home" for the Wisconsin congressman.
"His behavior was so reprehensible, it hit too close to home because he was a House member, that it just bothered me too much," he said. "And what I thought is, it makes us all look like we're like that."
Spacey's character has gone on to commit several deadly acts over the first two season of "House of Cards." The series has received great critical praise and awards attention, including 10 Primetime Emmy nominations.
Touting his new book The Way Forward, Ryan sidestepped speculation on a possible 2016 presidential run ("that bridge doesn't have to be crossed till next year"). He cited his family commitments as the reason for not seeking the role of House majority leader, left vacant when Rep. Eric Cantor lost his primary.
"In elected leadership, you're expected to travel on weekends, stumping for colleagues," he said. "I'm already away [from home] four days a week when we're in session; I'm not going to make it seven."
The congressman opened up about his father, who struggled with alcohol, in his new book, out Aug. 19. He also wrote about the aftermath of losing the 2012 presidential election with Mitt Romney.
"It's really hard to deal with a loss like that," Ryan told Parade. "But you can't sulk for long."
