Strike that. It is over, at least for Kevin. Politico:
"Kevin McCarthy will not seek the speakership again, marking a devastating end to his time in GOP leadership.
"The California Republican informed his members behind closed doors Tuesday night that he will forsake another attempt to win the top job after his ouster on Tuesday, according to seven people familiar with the remarks."
Thus, in the following piece written during Kevin's ouster this afternoon, simply replace "McCarthy" with the name of whoever decides to pick up the thrown gauntlet of 20 or so political children, led by the toddler Matt Gaetz.
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I still suspect that at some point McCarthy will have to turn to the Democrats for help. Without some movement in that direction, the speaker's chair could remain vacated for an interminably long period — and for a Congress facing numerous appropriations bills in need of rather urgent passing, this is the worst possible time.
McCarthy fears a government shutdown more than any other dumbass boobery, since that could decimate his party in 2024 and therefore his speakership (should he still have it). To avoid that partisan calamity, he'll have only one direction to go: toward the Dems, which will be brought to fruition behind closed doors, in a secret backroom deal — i.e., old-fashioned politics.
I had expected a deal by now — proffered by Democrats — even though McCarthy had insisted none would emerge. The Dems, however, stayed firm today, voting to vacate. My predictive error was rooted in failing to appreciate just how pissed the Democrats were at McCarthy.
His latest insult and partisan casus belli was the final bale of hay for Democrats. Said he on "Face the Nation" Sunday:
The Democrats tried to do everything they can not to let [a continuing resolution] pass.... The Democrats stood up and did dilatory actions, asked to adjourn.... Democrats stick together, but they did not want the bill. They did not – they – they were willing to let government shut down, for our military not to be paid.
Against that, there was no immediate outrage — not that I heard — which shocked me. But as WaPo later reported: "That infuriated Democrats, who voted nearly unanimously for the government spending bill when fewer than half of Republicans did." Another recent, infuriating McCarthy betrayal was his flip on impeachment proceedings against President Biden; he had promised none would go forward in the absence of a House floor vote, which he then reneged on.
These and other amateurish Machiavellian acts by McCarthy led Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman to say: "Any vote that helps Kevin McCarthy would be nauseating to many of us. " Added Rep. Ann McLane Custer: "Trust is something that you need here. It’s easy to lose. It’s hard to get back."
"I am one Democrat not in much of a mood to help him out," said Rep. Jamie Raskin. "MAGA Republicans have to solve the problems that MAGA Republicans create." Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "Nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy, and why should they?"
Then again, former party leader Steny Hoyer was reserved: "Let’s see what happens." And here's a telling quote from Rep. James McGovern: "I am not a cheap date."
So ... he can be bought. And perhaps others, should McCarthy capitulate on some Democratic demands I mentioned earlier:"Funding the government at levels previously agreed to by McCarthy and President Biden, the reallocation of the number of Democrats compared with Republicans on committees and a more equal percentage of earmarks in appropriations bills."
There is a deal to be done. To me, it seems, the only question is how much time will pass before it is done.