Backroom Dealing May Save McCarthy’s Bid for Speaker

Democrats have been eating popcorn over the last few days to watch Republicans put on an unforgettable show. While the Kevin McCarthy Disappearing speaker show might not be exactly what Republicans had in mind, it is still a popular show.

Yesterday I strongly suggested that McCarthy’s speakership bid was like sleeping with the fish. Instead of convincing any rebels to reconsider their views, the votes increased.

Don’t underestimate the power and determination of a man who wants to achieve his goals. He will do anything to reach them.

Politico reports McCarthy and 20 GOP rebels met Wednesday night to discuss ways to hold a meeting that would allow them to drop their opposition towards California.

McCarthy’s concessions seem astonishing. A senior Republican aide stated that McCarthy had “essentially given up all of the power, authority, and control of the speakership.” According to an aide, he is taking it to the point that Freedom Caucus men are free to do what they like. He is a vanity cause. These men will be miserable. I am certain that there is someone at this conference the Freedom Caucus will accept as a speaker and not demand these insane changes. ”

McCarthy has caved on almost every major point of contention with the rebels:

• After swearing for weeks that he’d never budge on the “motion to vacate” rule so that one member could demand a vote to remove the speaker, McCarthy finally relented and made that part of the deal.
• Four seats on the powerful Rules Committee for the Freedom Caucus.
• An up or down vote on term limits.
• Changes to the appropriations process that would end the practice of midnight votes on trillion-dollar omnibus bills plus a “promise for standalone votes on each of the 12 yearly appropriations bills, which would be considered under what is known as an “open rule,” allowing floor amendments to be offered by any lawmaker,” reports Politico.

On the sidelines, another breakthrough occurred when McCarthy’s Congressional Leadership Fund PAC reached a deal with the conservative Club for Growth to stay out of open primaries in safe GOP districts. This was a major bone of contention between the two powerful PACs and represents a huge victory for the rebels. They will now be able to freely run anyone against an establishment member, forcing the incumbent to spend funds they may need for the general election.

McCarthy won’t reach the magic number of 218 with all these concessions. His team hopes that his proposals will decrease opposition significantly.

Even McCarthy’s close friends insist that it’s not over yet.

One GOP leadership source told us they believe there are still five “hard nos” against him — Reps. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.), LAUREN BOEBERT (R-Colo.), ANDY BIGGS (R-Ariz.), BOB GOOD (R-Va.) and MATT ROSENDALE (R-Mont.). Reminder: He can only lose four.

Rep. Norman told reporters that he hadn’t changed his opposition to McCarthy as he left Capitol Wednesday evening. Rep. Norman stated that he has not changed his position regarding McCarthy’s opposition.

McCarthy allies also worry about freshman Rep. ELI CRANE (R-Ariz.), who, we heard, has not indicated any intention to move.

But, members want to see it end.

McCarthy’s camp believes that he will have to eventually endorse conservatives to be able to get into the committee. McCarthy’s camp expects that he will have to eventually endorse conservatives in order to get into committee, such as Rep. ANDY HARRIS(R-Md.). Or Rep. MARK (R-Tenn.), who is aiming for the lead Homeland Security Committee. McCarthy’s influence, however, is significant.

This will upset many House Republicans who have been team players since the beginning and have supported McCarthy ever since. McCarthy may need to sacrifice the ambitions of his backers in order to realize his dream of becoming a speaker.

The discussions have shown that there is no way to resolve the issue before next week.