Nonilex#KevinMcCarthy tells #House #Republicans he won’t run again for #speaker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/03/kevin-mccarthy-house-speaker-vote-2/
#Gaetz, already #fundraising off the dramatic day in the #House wrote a post headlined, “Patriots vs. Uniparty.”
“The #Uniparty” recently re-popularized by #SteveBannon & re-imagined for #ConspiracyTheorists refers to the “deep state” & “globalist” establishment cabal, used by #Trump & the #antisemitic as well.
Per Marianna Sotomayor
“You can’t overstate just how much it means to #Republicans that #KevinMcCarthy announced he is not naming a preferred successor to the #leadership role. Many Republicans have privately told The WaPo for weeks before a motion to #vacate was even introduced that they would never back down supporting #McCarthy & would only do so if McCarthy stepped back. They would also look to him for who to support as his #successor.
“You can’t overstate just how much it means to #Republicans that #KevinMcCarthy announced he is not naming a preferred successor to the #leadership role. Many Republicans have privately told The WaPo for weeks before a motion to #vacate was even introduced that they would never back down supporting #McCarthy & would only do so if McCarthy stepped back. They would also look to him for who to support as his #successor.
“Now that that has not happened, #HouseRepublicans are really thrown into #chaos w/o a united #leader or a #consensus candidate who could #unite their fractured conference.”
Rep Dusty Johnson, #Republican of SD, underscored how difficult it may be for someone to win the votes to become the next #speaker, while declining to rule out a run for the position himself.
“You really have to wonder whether or not the #House is #governable at all,” he said to reporters while leaving a meeting of #HouseRepublicans. “I’m not sure I wish this job on anyone.”
#KevinMcCarthy speaking now is full on lying:
being speaker was “one of the greatest honors,” he “loved every minute,” he’s leaving w/a sense of “optimism”, “I wouldn’t change a thing”
Maybe some(?) truth in these comments:
“I don’t regret standing up for choosing government over grievance,” “It is my responsibility. It is my job.”
“I hope you realize that every day I did the job, regardless whether you underestimated me or not, I wanted to do it with a smile,” #KevinMcCarthy says to reporters. That last one is true. #McCarthy kept a smile on through every embarrassing defeat on the floor, even as he listened to today’s vote that toppled his speakership.
#KevinMcCarthy continues to #blame #Democrats & the #WhiteHouse for his #legislative shortcomings. “If they want to hold me liable because the Senate didn’t take it up or the president didn’t take it up — that’s politics,” he said of those who voted to oust him.
McCarthy also blames #Democrats for damaging the institution of #Congress (seriously), using harsher language for the opposing party than he did for the 8 #Republicans who voted against him.
Of the 8 #Republicans who voted to oust him, #KevinMcCarthy says, “I’m not quite sure those individuals are looking to be #productive,” adding later, “I want to be a #Republican & #conservative that #governs.”
#McCarthy suggests he will stay involved in #Republican #politics, saying, “I intend to make sure we gain & keep the majority in the next cycle as well.”
Asked what advice he has for the next #speaker. “Change the rules,” he says.
#McCarthy suggests that Matt #Gaetz is not a real #conservative, after voting w/ #Democrats against #GOP spending bills. “It had nothing to do about spending," he said, adding, "It was all about getting attention.”
McCarthy says he “hasn’t thought about” #resigning from Congress. There is some precedent for that: When John #Boehner faced a motion to vacate in 2015, he relinquished the speaker’s gavel & resigned rather than face a vote on the #House floor.
#KevinMcCarthy is arguing with the reporters
“Tell me one thing I didn’t keep my word on” — several people answer — “no no no no no… this is what’s wrong with Washington… why am I getting criticized…” yada yada yada
Now #McCarthy accuses the 8 #Republicans who voted to oust him of enabling #Democrats to seize the opportunity to regain #power in the #House — interesting, given how many of them railed against McCarthy for being the one to be too cozy w/ Democrats in keeping the government open.
volkris