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Kevin McCarthy (GOP House Leader)
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[h2][link=https://politicalwire.com/2022/12/07/now-mccarthy-needs-to-look-over-his-shoulder/]McCarthy Needs to Look Over His Shoulder[/link][/h2]
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is trying to project an air of inevitability that he will be House speaker no matter how long it takes. A key part of that strategy is to make sure the rest of the House GOP leadership is behind him especially House Minority Whip Steve Scalise. But when [link=https://punchbowl.news/archive/12722-punchbowl-news-am/card/12/#group-12]Punchbowl News[/link] asked Scalise if its inevitable that McCarthy will be speaker, his was illuminating.
Said Scalise: Well, everybody knows that hes been having a lot of conversations with the members. Hes not just sitting around doing nothing. Obviously a lot of discussions about the rules, two different meetings on rules, you know, and then theres still a continued, ongoing dialogue with all the members. Meanwhile, Scalise [link=https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1600258783573327872?s=20&t=E0oO9KB6WnLzCEOwRM-Ehw]told CNN[/link] that he would not get into speculation about whether he could emerge as a candidate if McCarthy couldnt get 218 votes. Obviously our focus is on getting it resolved by January 3. And theres a lot of conversations that everybody has been having.
Scalise made no attempt to shut down conversation of himself being a fallback option if McCarthy fails. McCarthys advantage so far has been that theres no real alternative candidate for the House GOP caucus. It wasnt a mistake that Scalise left an opening to be that alternative.
Scalise on whether he would run if McCarthy can’t get 218. “I’m not going to get into speculation. Obviously our focus is on getting it resolved by January 3. And there's a lot of conversations that everybody has been having.” https://t.co/A40ijx692Y
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 6, 2022
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McCarthy Unsuccessfully Tries to Woo Matt Gaetz[/h1]
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) met with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of McCarthys top critics in his bid for House Speaker, [link=https://twitter.com/maxpcohen/status/1600933256085413888?s=20&t=JoWRtsENmxn5tyWSOjlGVw]Punchbowl News[/link] reports.
After the meeting, Gaetz reiterated that he was still opposed to McCarthys candidacy.News: McCarthy just met with Matt Gaetz, one of McCarthy's top critics in his bid for the speakership. Gaetz reiterated to me in a brief interview that he was still opposed to McCarthy's candidacy.
Read more in @PunchbowlNews Midday https://t.co/AzpLzZI4Rf
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) December 8, 2022
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[h1][b]House Freedom Caucus Makes Demands of McCarthy[/b][/h1]
Last night, seven members of the House Freedom Caucus circulated a [link=https://politicaldictionary.com/words/dear-colleague-letter/]Dear Colleague letter[/link] dictating their requirements for any candidate for speaker in yet the latest sign that House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has some serious negotiating to do before he wins the gavel, [link=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2022/12/09/breaking-sinema-leaves-the-democratic-party-00073226?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f0ed-dd93-ad7f-f8edad790000&nlid=630318]Politico[/link] reports.
Key [link=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000184-f539-ddff-adb5-fd7f25850000]among their demands[/link] is to reinstate the motion to vacate basically, allowing any member of the House to force a vote to oust the sitting speaker.
The seven members on the letter are completely separate from the five other conservatives who have voiced their intention to vote against McCarthy regardless of what assurances he makes._______________
[h1]House GOP Braces for McCarthy Not Getting 218 Votes[/h1]
[link=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/09/politics/mccarthy-speaker-house-republicans-218/index.html]CNN[/link]: With the increasing likelihood that the speakers race could go to multiple ballots something that hasnt happened since 1923 McCarthys allies and foes alike are starting to quietly game out the next steps if he cant get the necessary 218 votes on the first round and they move into uncharted territory.
McCarthys supporters are vowing to keep voting for him on multiple ballots, and GOP sources said there are early discussions about a floor strategy for that potential scenario, including whether to recess the House or let the votes keep rolling no matter how long it takes.
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[b]McCarthy will empower the nut-jobs to win the Speaker’s Gave[/b]
[link=https://dailycaller.com/2022/12/09/exclusive-mccarthy-speaker-bid-struggles-combat-unnecessary-chaos/]Daily Caller[/link]: In order to placate the doubters, McCarthy and his allies have commenced a substantial whipping operation The Republican leader is prepared to offer the holdouts prized committee seats through the Steering Committee.
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[h1][b]’Motion to Vacate the Chair'[/b][/h1] [link=https://punchbowl.news/archive/121322-punchbowl-news-am/]Punchbowl News[/link]; For a century prior to 2015, no member had attempted to remove a speaker from office by offering a motion to vacate the chair. Then conservative hardliners used the arcane procedure to help oust former Speaker John Boehner, and nothing has ever been the same.
Speaker Paul Ryan, Boehners successor, always faced the threat of such a motion being filed if he alienated hardliners. Any single member could do so and get a vote. When Speaker Nancy Pelosi took office, she changed the rule so that only a party leader could do it at the behest of a majority of their lawmakers.
But 21 days before the election of the next speaker, its becoming ever more clear that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy may have to restore the motion to vacate to the old standard if he wants to be speaker.
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[link=https://jstreet.org/press-releases/jewish-american-groups-oppose-kevin-mccarthys-threats-to-strip-democratic-lawmakers-of-committee-assignments/#.Y5iLtOzMLPg]https://jstreet.org/press…ignments/#.Y5iLtOzMLPg[/link]
[h1]JEWISH AMERICAN GROUPS OPPOSE KEVIN MCCARTHYS THREATS TO STRIP DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS OF COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS[/h1]
As Jewish American organizations, we oppose Republican Leader Kevin McCarthys pledge to strip Representative Ilhan Omar of her House Foreign Affairs Committee seat based on false accusations that she is antisemitic or anti-Israel. We may not agree with some of Congresswoman Omars opinions, but we categorically reject the suggestion that any of her policy positions or statements merit disqualification from her role on the committee.
Leader McCarthys pledge seems especially exploitative in light of the rampant promotion of antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories by him and his top deputies amid a surge in dangerous right-wing antisemitism. He posted (and later deleted) a tweet charging that George Soros and two other billionaires of Jewish descent were seeking to buy an election. His newly elected Whip Tom Emmer said the same people essentially bought control of Congress. Meanwhile, Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik has promoted the deadly antisemitic Great Replacement conspiracy theory.
McCarthys promise to also strip Representatives Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell of their Intelligence Committee positions adds weight to the impression that his threats against prominent Democratic lawmakers committee assignments are for purely political purposes. These are pledges clearly motivated by partisanship, not principle.[/QUOTE]
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Marge making weird references to the Godfather and the 5 families meeting Qev once a week. How’d that work out for anyone but the Don Corleone? It’s also interesting they’re strategizing how to govern. I anticipate not much is going to happen over the next 2 years.
[link=https://news.yahoo.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-says-group-070824333.html]https://news.yahoo.com/ma…s-group-070824333.html[/link]
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[h1][b]Trump Tells Republicans to Rally Around McCarthy (while slamming Paul Ryan)[/b][/h1]
Donald Trump [link=https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/12/16/exclusive-trump-backs-mccarthy-speaker-tells-opponents-stand-down-think-deserves-shot/]told Breitbart[/link] that the conservatives currently withholding support from House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy in McCarthys speakership bid need to stand down.
Said Trump: I think its a very dangerous game thats being played. Its a very dangerous game. Some bad things could happen.
He added: Look, we had Boehner and he was a strange person but we ended up with Paul Ryan who was ten times worse. Paul Ryan was an incompetent speaker. I think he goes down as the worst speaker in history.
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[h1][b]Steve Scalise Told to Be Ready if McCarthy Falters[/b][/h1]
As Kevin McCarthy struggles to nail down the votes to be House speaker, a group of lawmakers has quietly approached No. 2 leader Steve Scalise about running should McCarthy falter, [link=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2022/12/21/zelenskyy-in-washington-scalise-in-waiting-00074931?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f0ed-dd93-ad7f-f8edad790000&nlid=630318]Politico[/link] reports.
The conversations have put Scalise in a tough spot. He and his camp are acutely aware that they cant be seen as agitating against McCarthy or even taking meetings to discuss the matter. Theres a general consensus that if McCarthy falters, anyone with fingerprints on the knife would alienate the GOP conference and upend their own possible ascent.
Yet lawmakers also want to be sure theres a Plan B
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[link=https://puck.news/bidens-surprise-challenger-scalises-speaker-weapon/?_cio_id=f6c60601e35b94c602&utm_campaign=The+Washington+Mall+-+SUBSCRIBERS+%2812%2F22%2F22%29&utm_content=The+Washington+Mall+-%C2%A0SUBSCRIBERS+%2812%2F22%2F22%29&utm_medium=email_action&utm_source=customer.io]Tara Palmeri[/link]: By suggesting Scalise, the Never Kevin bloc has subtly demonstrated that theyre not just interested in chaos for chaos sake. They have a real viable alternative, and its not just anybody: Scalise, after all, is one of the most popular, well-liked members of the House, who came out of the conference vote unanimously elected as Majority Whip, or McCarthys No. 2.
Meanwhile, McCarthy himself hobbled out of the same vote with at least 36 members not willing to vote for him.
Said one source: They just hate Kevin, and hes not Kevin.
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Scalise is a hypocrite and liar. Perfect fit
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[link=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/30/gop-leader-votes-kevin-mccarthy-00075867]Politico[/link]:
[h2]McCarthy struggles to appease conservative demands as speakership battle nears[/h2] The GOP leader again raised making it easier for members to force a vote to depose the speaker, a move that could severely weaken him if he does manage to take the gavel next term.
Currently, five conservative members are publicly threatening to vote against McCarthy for speaker, enough to keep him from the needed 218-vote threshold in House Republicans slim majority.
Though McCarthy had raised the {motion to vacate the chair} option as a hypothetical and not a real offer, it signaled to some theres little he wont agree to in his years-long quest to seize the House gavel. And some fear he risks more demands surfacing as potential detractors see room for opportunity, with some hinting theyd like members to have broader subpoena power as they look to examine matters like how Jan. 6 rioters were treated by law enforcement.…
Meanwhile, an increasing number of House Republicans are vowing theyll only vote for McCarthy for speaker, and that theyll keep doing so as long as it takes.
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The Friday letter follows [link=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/29/battleground-republicans-vote-mccarthy-speaker-00075846]another signed by a group of more than a dozen GOP members[/link] from battleground districts. Those lawmakers and members-elect, from districts President Joe Biden won in 2020, [link=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/29/battleground-republicans-vote-mccarthy-speaker-00075846]had a similar message[/link] in a Thursday letter that they would be voting for McCarthy regardless of how many votes it takes. They also specified they would not be supporting any type of consensus candidate.
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[b]GOP Moderates Float Alternative to McCarthy[/b][/h1]
Some moderate Republicans have discussed a long-shot backup plan if Kevin McCarthy falls short in his bid to be Speaker: tapping retiring Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) instead, [link=https://rollcall.com/2022/12/30/speaker-race-headed-toward-dramatic-floor-election/]Roll Call[/link] reports.
They say it wouldnt violate their pledge not to support another sitting House Republican. -
[h2]McCarthys critical 48 hours[/h2]
[link=https://punchbowl.news/archive/1223-punchbowl-news-am/]Punchbowl News[/link]: The fate of Kevin McCarthy must be decided, including whether he has the votes to become the next speaker of the House. Right now, the answer is no. And the signs arent good for the California Republican.
There are between five to 10 House GOP lawmakers who may oppose McCarthy during Tuesdays speaker vote on the floor. Even close allies privately worry that its hard to see a path for McCarthy to get the 218 votes he needs.
Yet so much remains fluid at the moment. And one can never underestimate how difficult it is for a member to publicly vote against their party leader for speaker.
If McCarthy were to fall, it would represent a new level of chaos for House Republicans, who have spent much of the last dozen years at war with the leadership of their party. Under this scenario, expect outright war between the middle of the conference and the 10 or so conservatives who blocked him from capturing the gavel.
_____________[link=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/01/politics/mccarthy-key-concession-speakership-race/index.html]CNN[/link]: Nine conservative Republican House members released a letter Sunday night saying the concessions that Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has made do not go far enough for them to back him as speaker.
From the letter: Thus far, there continue to be missing specific commitments with respect to virtually every component of our entreaties, and thus, no means to measure whether promises are kept or broken.
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Extremes pushing to the middle. Dont they realize if McCarthy isnt the one it has to be someone much more moderate to get enough votes from the entire chamber?
I guess its brinksmanship trying to get concessions? -
[h1][b]Bob Good Teases Rival to Kevin McCarthy for Speaker[/b][/h1]
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) is hinting that Republicans opposed to Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as House speaker have a backup candidate in mind, but he is playing coy on who they are, the [link=https://www.thedailybeast.com/rep-bob-good-teases-rival-to-kevin-mccarthy-for-house-speaker?ref=home]Daily Beast[/link] reports.
Said Good: Youll see that name tomorrow on the second ballot.
Good says he and McCarthys other detractors have hidden the identity for several weeks._________________
[link=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/02/us/politics/mccarthy-speaker.html]New York Times[/link]: McCarthys bid for speaker remains in peril even after key concessions._______________
[link=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/02/us/politics/mccarthy-speaker-alternatives.html]New York Times[/link]: The threat that some of Mr. McCarthys allies have dangled that moderate Republicans could band together with Democrats to elect a Democratic speaker should he fail is highly improbable.
But the landscape could quickly change should Mr. McCarthy falter on Tuesday, when the new Congress convenes and lawmakers vote to elect a new speaker. House precedent requires that lawmakers continue voting on ballot after ballot if no one is able to win the gavel. If Mr. McCarthy is unable to quickly win election, Republicans would be under immense pressure to coalesce around an alternative, ending a potentially chaotic and divisive fight on the floor that could taint the start of their majority in the House.
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So, I guess that means I’m right?
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[h1]Don Bacon Would Work with Democrats to Elect Moderate Speaker[/h1]
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) [link=https://dailycaller.com/2023/01/02/opinion-if-mccarthys-speaker-bid-fails-democrats-might-have-to-be-part-of-the-process-rep-don-bacon/]writes in the Daily Caller[/link] that he would work with Democrats to elect a speaker if Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is unsuccessful.
Much has been made of me saying I would work with moderate Democrats to elect a more moderate speaker. But my actual words were that if the five refused to coalesce around what the vast majority of the conference wants, Im willing to work across the aisle to find an agreeable Republican.
We cannot be held captive by a small number and run the risk of delaying the formation of committees and working on the agenda we promised Americans this past November.
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I love how you answer questions dergon. Thanks.
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“Don’t they realize…” and “I guess I’m right” seemed like rhetoricals
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Quote from dergon
“Don’t they realize…” and “I guess I’m right” seemed like rhetoricals
Fair enough. I’m new to this. Glad to know I’m on the right track.-
This is playing out exactly as I hoped. Let the crazies do the crazy stuff and watch how the moderates can take advantage.
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