Just when you thought the political theatre couldn’t get any more unpredictable, enter the latest act in the GOP’s speaker selection saga: Kevin McCarthy, after being dethroned as the Speaker of the House, is hinting he might be up for round two. Oh, and if you’re feeling déjà vu, it’s because not too long ago, he confidently stated he wouldn’t chase the speaker’s gavel again. Talk about a political plot twist!
It’s almost Shakespearean. McCarthy, once at the pinnacle of GOP power, is now grappling with the classic Hamlet-esque conundrum: to run or not to run? His decision, whichever way it sways, will undoubtedly churn the waters of an already tempestuous selection process.
Currently, the GOP holds 222 seats, a numerical advantage in the 435-seat House. On paper, it seems they could simply handpick their next speaker, no sweat. But here’s the catch: the party is so fragmented that gathering the essential 218 votes is turning into a Herculean task. To put it in perspective, if only five members stray from the pack and go against the top candidate, the vote fails. Talk about party unity, right?
So far, Republican Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan have tossed their hats into the ring. McCarthy, while not formally declaring his candidacy, dropped hints on a radio show, suggesting he’d be game if “the conference wants” him back.
For those keeping track, McCarthy’s initial ascent to the speakership throne was no cakewalk. Despite being labeled the “frontrunner”, it took him 15 ballots to clinch the title. With neither Scalise nor Jordan enjoying that coveted status, and McCarthy potentially throwing his hat back into the ring, we could be in for an extended election saga, packed with suspense, drama, and maybe even a little treachery.
A handful of Republicans loyal to McCarthy claim that a significant portion of the House would back him right off the bat. But herein lies the twist: even though he narrowly lost the speakership by only eight votes last week, his re-entry as a contender might be the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass. Why? His dethroning was a clear indication of his struggle to harmonize the clashing cymbals within the GOP orchestra.
Also, there’s that minor detail of him previously suggesting he wouldn’t be up for re-election as speaker, followed by whispers of his potential resignation from Congress. If he backtracks now, it paints a picture of inconsistent leadership, not the ideal quality for the head of a party navigating stormy political seas.
Experts are looking at this GOP discord and scratching their heads. For some, it’s a soap opera; for others, a clear signal of a democracy in distress. Laura Blessing, a fellow at Georgetown University, lamented about the concerning level of “congressional dysfunction and fiscal dysfunction.” Meanwhile, Harvard’s Daniel Ziblatt had an even graver prognosis: “If you want to know what it looks like when democracy is in trouble, this is what it looks like.”
It’s not just about the political spectacle or the GOP’s internal feuds. This narrative has more profound implications for the health of our democratic institutions. As the story unfolds, one can’t help but wonder: are we watching a party’s internal struggles, or are we witnessing the tremors of a democracy on shaky ground? Only time, and perhaps the next speaker vote, will tell.
