
<p>In previous commentaries, I have expressed my hope that House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy would NOT become Speaker in January. ; That does lessen my desire to have Republicans win the house by a large number. ; I am also realistic enough to understand that I am not likely to get my wish. ; But there is a case to be made to select another person.</p>



<p>My first concern is that McCarthy is not a very formidable and persuasive individual. ; He is obviously good at the insider game – keeping the majority of the Republican caucus on his side. ; He is not, however, an effective public spokesman. ; He is mostly on the defensive – lacking the talent to go on the offensive without being offensive. ; His arguments are not well crafted. ; In short, he is a poor salesman. ; It is that charisma thing.</p>



<p>He is also a poor political strategist. Arguably his greatest blunder – in my judgment – was not putting Republicans on Speaker Pelosi’s Select Committee. ; He apparently believed that refusing to have “the other side” represented would undermine the credibility of the committee. ; It did to some measure – but not as much as it should have.</p>



<p>The Committee operated as a kangaroo court in the arena of public opinion – but even a one-sided operation can be persuasive. ; Image if there had been tough questioning of witnesses – and even other witnesses.</p>



<p>Even though Pelosi acted badly in refusing two Committee members initially chosen by McCarthy, there were any number of Republican congressmen who could have filled in the role. ; It would have also precluded Pelosi’s appointing two apostate Republicans. ; Pelosi would have been denied her dubious claim of bipartisanship. ; Both Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Congressman Adam Kinzinger would have slipped out of the political arena with little notice.</p>



<p>And then there is the issue of Cheney, herself. ; What would have happened if McCarthy had not booted Cheney out of her leadership position &#8212; even in view of her vote to impeach President Trump. ; She had been a very consistent conservative vote – and would likely have continued in that manner.</p>



<p>McCarthy can be said to have created the monster Cheney had become to the Republican Party. ; Much of what we have seen is a woman scorned.</p>



<p>Those two lapses in political judgment, alone, have caused enormous damage to the GOP brand by handing political fodder to the Democrats.</p>



<p>McCarthy is given to making foolish or damaging statements. ; His harsh criticism of Trump at the time of the Capitol Hill riot followed by a <em>mea culpa</em> visit to Mar-a-Lago made him look weak and sleazy.</p>



<p>McCarthy recently made a statement that sounded like he would cut off support to Ukraine when in charge of the House. ; That was both wrong and stupid. ; He could have said nothing at this time. ; It was an unearned error.</p>



<p>Republicans controlling the House will be a good thing for America, but even better if the House Speaker was a more dynamic and intelligent individual. ; It is a lost opportunity, I fear.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>



<p>Ukraine</p>

Do we really need McCarthy as Speaker?
