Why would anyone want to be speaker at this point?
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With the abrupt withdrawal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the race to succeed outgoing House speaker John Boehner, the apparent lack of a alternative candidate with broad support who is eager to run, and deep divisions between moderates and hard-line conservatives, the Congressional Republican caucus appears to be in disarray. “But I think he is a very good person”.
“Paul Ryan has name recognition, but I certainly would love to see a congressman here from Georgia, too”, Wing said.
LISA DESJARDINS: Others, like Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, anxious that even Ryan may not be able to bridge the deep divisions in the Republican Conference. “He has significant policy depth, but he has a young family and this is a serious job”, Mr. Rothfus said.
Everhart added that Price was among the “good folks” representing Georgia in the U.S. House.
In response to a question during the lunch, Johnson dismissed polls that show him trailing Democrat Russ Feingold more than a year before the 2016 election as “completely meaningless”.
Speaking of which, it was disgraceful how quickly so many tried to take credit for tubing McCarthy, even if they had little to do with it. Then there were the members of the House Freedom Caucus, who actually did the deed, but then went on TV and praised McCarthy.
McCarthy said he pulled out of the race after realizing his bid to become speaker was having trouble getting the votes he needed to win on the floor amid opposition from the most conservative flank of the conference, and that stepping aside was the best thing for party unity. “We will end up with a speaker that all of us will support”. There’s been discussion for a while now that that could be on the chopping block.
“I think we’ll get it right“. A few conservative media outlets suggested the decision was connected to emailed threats from a conservative activist to expose a rumored affair between McCarthy and Rep. Renee Ellmers, R- North Carolina.
One of Price’s peers in the House said Thursday he had not been told whether Price would seek the leadership position.
One possible reason McCarthy withdrew is that the Freedom Caucus demanded rule changes that would enhance the power of the fringes.
While Washington observers talked about Kline as a temporary speaker, a well-known Republican was preparing to get into the race to replace the congressman.
Thanks to his run on the 2012 presidential ticket with Mitt Romney, Ryan is nationally known.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., center, and Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., arrive for a House GOP meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, October 9, 2015.
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In other words, someone who has crossover appeal to both parties, can grab Democratic votes and not need 218 Republicans, since this would be a speaker for the entire House.
