- Based on his political pedigree not likely and that is the problem
We think Kevin McCarthy persona is one of a game player — another insider who would try to keep business as usual in the House.
Oh there are conservatives votes and efforts to his credit but he is “Boehner-light” given a few of McCarthy’s concessions — but largely of the swamp and Boehnereish. The porkulas bills rushed through at the last minute “to avoid a shut down” will continue. That is where he gets most of his support, including from the entire Iowa Republican delegation able to vote. To mix some metaphors the country is on a cliff and McCarthy seems more the type to manage the fall, concerned more that the Swamp survives, to fight another day, except they don’t fight very hard.
The optics of the multiple votes worry many conservatives and there is a big media group-think if not cabal (which includes Fox) intent on making the 20 current holdouts appear obstructionist. But the more obstructionist they stay in furtherance of more needed reforms the larger they loom in American history and the safety of our republic.
Here are a few takes on the situation which no one has to agree with completely of course but are mostly not incompatable.
From Congressman Mark Goetz:
Those of us who will not be voting for Kevin McCarthy today take no joy in this discomfort that this moment has brought. But if you want to drain the swamp, you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise,” Gaetz said. “I’m a Florida man and I know of what I speak.
From Erick Erickson: Here’s How to Get a Speaker of the House by Noon
Tucker Carlson: Two Things McCarthy Should Do To Win Speaker’s Gavel ( there are things as important as these Tucker)
Mick Mulvaney Details Why Kevin McCarthy Is Facing Such Intense Opposition in Speakership Bid. (substitute the word principled for personal and Mulvaney makes more sense.)
