He declined to sketch his path to the speakership during a 45-minute question-and-answer session, saying only that there was a rising desire among House Republicans to find a leader who could satisfy both hard-line conservatives and centrists. But he could face problems reaching the 218 votes required, because the so-called Freedom caucus – the rightwing of the congressional Republican party – may see in him a continuation of current speaker John Boehner’s reign of compromise with Democrats.
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McCarthy has been under fire in the past week for comments he made connecting the House Select Committee on Benghazi’s investigation with Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s falling poll numbers.
“If we don’t inject new blood into the leadership team, our constituents are going to be irate, at best”, he said. “So I’m trying to persuade my colleagues, let’s avoid that fight, that embarrassment and the internal strife”.
“Now we must come together as a conference to ensure we elect a consistent, conservative speaker”, DesJarlais, a South Pittsburg Republican, said.
He explained that McCarthy is the far-and-away leader going into Thursday’s likely closed-door GOP conference elections, which are conducted in secret. The Thursday vote is a secret ballot.
We are entrusted with the largest majority the Republicans have ever had since Babe Ruth was swinging a baseball bat.
“I am not looking for a unicorn to become the next President or next Speaker”, Mr. Zeldin said. Republicans are not bound to vote for the caucus nominee, though, so there is potential for the party to be split during the floor vote.
Chaffetz is in favor of a pre-emptive military strike to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, telling Wolf Blitzer on CNN America has “to do everything and anything we can do in our power” to make sure Iran never gets a nuke.
“The speaker’s job has always been a prestigious one, but carries with it tremendous responsibilities filled with thankless tasks that most elected officials and the general public either aren’t aware of or don’t appreciate”, notes GOP consultant Ron Bonjean, who served as a communication director for House leaders in the past. Dent and other Republicans have also grown exhausted of the group’s antics.
For the most part, House Republicans on the right have kept their powder dry and haven’t endorsed anyone in the contest to replace Boehner.
Previous speakers with the most prior House experience include John McCormack (D-Mass.), who was the last speaker without a high school degree, with 18 terms; the recently deceased Jim Wright (D-Texas) with 17 terms; and Joe Cannon (R-Ill.), the powerful 19th-century statesman with the ubiquitous cigar, with 15 terms. “They want us to tackle the tough issues”. “That is why I have entered this race”.
DesJarlais said he has not put his support behind any speaker candidates yet and is expecting forums to be held for those seeking the position.
Already in the race with McCarthy are Reps.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) speaks with reporters, April 22, 2015.
The news was good for millions of conservatives Sunday when Congressman Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah, announced he was going to make a run for Speaker of the House.
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Chaffetz admits he only has until Thursday, when GOP representatives will decide on who will be their nomination pick for Boehner’s spot, but doubts McCarthy can get the conservative votes he needs to win the final floor vote at the end of the month.
