But literally appears to be the only one who wants the job
I sort of think Tucker Carlson stated it best. There is a lot about McCarthy that people do not love. He isn't the conservative that some would be hoping for. But he wants the job and there is something to be said about wanting a job that nobody else seems to want.
Moreover, what he is good at (fundraising and pushing forward the GOP in upcoming elections) is likely more important right now that pushing a conservative agenda that has no chance to succeed with Democrats controlling everything but the House. If you have a speaker who plays the game and puts the GOP in a better position to win back the White House, Senate, and add to their House Majority, then perhaps you can worry about ideology once you have control. But I see no advantage to some sort of symbolic conservative ideological win that does nothing to help the GOP in the next election. In fact, it could possibly harm them.
That being said, a lot of what the conservative block wants should be a no-brainer. They want to play hardball with the investigations, impeachments, and they want funding to do so. I see no reason why the Democrats should not be investigated, exposed, embarrassed, and even humiliated a bit. If McCarthy takes issues with that sort of aggressive politics, then maybe he should step aside. But there seems to be room for that olive branch where both sides get most of what they want.
At the end of the day, I find it troublesome that the GOP is looking at what the Democrats dealt with because of Sinema and Manchin... only on steroids. This isn't blocking some big spending or stupid bill that only a majority of one Party wants passed. This is literally 19-20 people preventing a speaker from being elected. Something that hasn't happened for about a billion years. They are voting (instead) for someone who openly does not want the job. At least the Sinema Manchin obstruction made sense and dealt with large issues. These people seem to be doing it illogically and basically out of spite. Someone pointed out that they really do not have any sort of known endgame plan. Only a stubborn short term strategy.
It's politics. I suspect there will actually be a "compromise" and the 4 hard core anti-McCarthy, who all voted against adjournment last night, will still vote against him.
But if he satisfies the other 16 or so he will win
and so will America and the Republicans
maybe I'm too optimistic but I kind of like seeing some fight in the Republican party and hopefully they come out of this with real teeth
and use them
McCarthy should have some integrity and withdraw. He does not have the votes.
But... he has 181 more votes than the second place person?
Perhaps the side with only 20 votes should withdraw?
Moreover, what if 20 or more people continue to vote for him even if he withdraws? After all, the 20 opposed voted for someone who stated he didn't want the job? What is to stop the most hardcore McCarthy supporters from doing the same thing?
I mean... I sort of get the logic. This happened to him in 2015 and he did withdraw and we ended up with Paul Ryan. Not sure how that helped anything. But still... the GOP seems in disarray right now.
We could…
McCarthy should have some integrity and withdraw. He does not have the votes.
And there's no rule that the house speaker must be from California.
I try not to dwell upon the fact that I'm triple vaxxed due to the fact that otherwise healthy people are dropping dead for no apparent reason post vax. My own son enjoyed chest pains for three days after his third jab, perhaps myocarditis, - we'll never know - but I did take note of the fact that the vax was foisted upon us with none of the typical disclaimers or warnings that you hear from every other drug that's advertised.
I envy those who refused the vax, got covid, recovered, and now enjoy natural immunity after a few weeks of being sick. Having covid, which I have not, might suck, but dropping fucking dead while walking your dog sucks…
Ironically I probably was vaccinated before Roger was. I got the two, but never the boosters. If not for the "requirement" by our Government to be vaccinated to do everything other than take a shit in your own bathroom, I am not sure I would do it over if I had the chance. I ended up with Covid a few weeks after my second jab and it lasted like 3 weeks. The jabs neither prevented it or made it easier.