GOP Infighting Intensifies In House Speaker Battle

Axios reports:

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is pivoting to more aggressive tactics to buoy his bid for speaker — beginning with 54 defiant “Kevin Only” statements of unqualified support, provided first to Axios.

Some of them say they’re a hard “no” on anyone besides McCarthy — and won’t vote for anyone else on the first ballot or the 100th ballot.

McCarthy allies are trying to capitalize on growing GOP frustration with five House Republicans holdouts who, if they stuck together, could deny him the gavel. “Kevin gave them an opportunity to negotiate in good faith,” a McCarthy adviser told me.

Read the full article.

Moderate GOP Rep. John Katko shows off his “Only Kevin” button: pic.twitter.com/0HsvybwQIo

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) December 15, 2022

Scoop: Kevin McCarthy is pivoting to more aggressive tactics to buoy his bid for speaker — beginning with 54 defiant “Kevin Only” statements of unqualified support, provided first to @axios

w/ @mikeallen @AndrewSolender https://t.co/FlfizDwHb6

— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) December 19, 2022

50 isn’t 218 — the number McCarthy needs on Jan. 3.

A blizzard of proclamations from allies doesn’t change the underlying reason this small group has been able to cast such a large shadow. As long as they move as a bloc — as 5 have promised — they can block his speaker bid

— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) December 19, 2022