By Rich Kozlovich
Definition leads to clarity, clarity leads to understanding, and understanding leads to good decision making, unless of course no one cares about any of that and embraces irrationality.
Well, this thing is becoming more and more clear as yesterday McCarthy said more voting was useless but today's vote will be different, and now we know why. Kevin McCarthy Gives 4 More Concessions Before Thursday’s Speakership Vote. It appears he's just about capitulated to their demands, and if he'd done that weeks ago, this would have probably been avoided. But now we have much more clarity, because now everyone's positions are being openly defined. So, what exactly do we absolutely know now?
First, "The concessions McCarthy made are significant. Axios and Politico Playbook reported:"
- One member motion threshold needed to force a vote ousting a speaker, instead of five.
- More House Freedom Caucus members on the House Rules Committee (two seats).
- Pledges to hold votes on lawmaker term limit and border security bills.
- Major changes to the appropriations process to prevent another omnibus bill by allowing floor amendments to be offered by any lawmaker.
In addition, the McCarthy-aligned super PAC, Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), pledged it would not spend money in Republican primary races against GOP candidates in open races, as its affiliates had done in several races in the 2022 midterm elections. The concessions are in addition to ten more concessions previously negotiated between the GOP factions.
Well, that sounds like a win for the conservatives to me, and for McCarthy as well, so what's the problem?
Critics of the concessions have stated leadership has not always followed through on its promises. House rules have often been suspended in times of political urgency. Others argued the CLF’s promise is unenforceable because other mechanisms exist to funnel money to preferred candidates.
So if they believed right along he can't be trusted to adhere to his concessions, why were they demanding concessions for their votes, and still holding out that concessions would get him their votes? So, if that's the case, and it seems to me that it is, what exactly is it they really want? Answer: Someone other than McCarthy, and that's being fundamentally dishonest, as they should have stated that from the onset.
If that was the case, and it seems that it is, now they've trapped themselves as they need to either move on this and vote for him, or adamantly state they will not vote for McCarthy no matter what he agrees to, and that would be detrimental to their cause as they would appear to be radically dishonest and thoroughly unreasonable, whether their concerns are valid or not.
The other thing we absolutely know is McCarthy wants to be Speaker of the House so badly he will give in to whatever it takes to get the job, once again showing what a weak leader he is. A strong leader of character would have withdrawn from the race, but not McCarthy. For McCarthy, it's all about him, it's not about the mission, it's not about the party, it's not about the nation. It's all about McCarthy.
But as of right now, if the holdouts don't back down and vote for him now, no one wins, and I think I'm going to break out in hives for saying that.
This is from Robin Itzler publisher of Patriot Neighbors Newsletter:
ReplyDeletePeople who know me are aware that I am NOT a Kevin McCarthy fan. However, what the 20 holdouts are doing now is wrong. The 20 need to also win in the public forum. Throughout November and December they should have been writing op-eds and giving interviews explaining in detail WHY they will not support McCarthy. Not now while the House votes and all the American people hear is that they are voting NO on electing McCarthy.'
The 20 scream that they represent the majority. Although I agree with the 20’s goals, in the Republican House, the majority wants McCarthy to be their next speaker.
Listen to the 20 in interviews and many times each one focuses on different reasons for not supporting McCarthy. Sounds like the goal post keeps moving. That makes all of them sound ridiculous.
Then the 20 vote for or nominate representatives who either do not want the job (Jim Jordan) or never announced for it so no one knows their position on issues except the person is not Kevin McCarthy.
THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT!
Besides, it INSULTS PRESIDENT TRUMP who has endorsed Kevin McCarthy. That his own core supporters are ignoring Trump will only make it harder for Trump to run for re-election.
Elon Musk also came out endorsing Kevin McCarthy.
If elected speaker, McCarthy will have his feet to the AMERICA FIRST fire. They need to vote for him so the Republican House can do its business.
Yesterday I called or emailed almost all 20 and introduced myself as an America First MAGA who writes columns and a newsletter. I respectfully shared my thoughts.
In my opinion, this fiasco strengthens Democrats! Most Americans are not into political weeds so they see a party that is so dysfunctional that they cannot even elect their own speaker.
Say what you want about the Marxist Democrats – and we can say a lot – but the Squad never did this to Nancy Pelosi. And this is why Republicans are where they are today.
In close, I support the 20’s goals, but this is NOT the way to proceed. They should have started to present their position in November and all through December. At this point, all most Americans understand is that a group of 20 continues to vote no on electing Kevin McCarthy Speaker of the House.