
<p>House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy should not be elevated to Speaker of the House because he bears considerable responsibility for the GOP’s poor showing in the Midterm Election. ; He, as much as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is responsible for the damage to the Republican Brand and the ongoing negative impact of Pelosi’s January 6<sup>th</sup> Select Committee. ; Pelosi did it by cunning. ; McCarthy did it by ineptitude.</p>



<p>McCarthy’s big (Huge? ; Colossal?) mistake was to allow the January 6<sup>th</sup> Committee to go forward without any legitimate voices as a counterbalance to Pelosi’s prosecutorial narratives. ; Outrage was legitimate when Pelosi &#8212; in an unprecedented and cynical move – refused to accept McCarthy’s appointments to the Committee. ; McCarthy should have appointed other members. ; There were many good ones from which to choose.</p>



<p>His response to name no Republicans, was entirely too stupid for a guy who wants a job that requires exceptional political skills. ; President Trump initially either proposed or endorsed the plan to refuse to fill the GOP side of the panel. ; (He has since opposed it). ; That only means McCarthy was taking his lead from a guy with even less strategic political skill than himself.</p>



<p>McCarthy’s second humongous blunder was kicking Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney out of leadership for her vote in favor of Trump’s impeachment. ; He should have let the voters decide her fate – as with the other nine Republicans who voted to impeach. ; They were not kicked off their committees.</p>



<p>As a leader – and a historically solid conservative vote – Cheney would not have become the maverick she turned out to be. ; She would not have been open to Pelosi’s invitation to join the Speaker’s kangaroo Committee – and without her, Congressman Adam Kirzinger would not have gone solo.</p>



<p>Instead, McCarthy gave Pelosi an opportunity to claim the panel was bipartisan since she had two Republicans in Cheney and Kinzinger – and to proceed with a relatively success campaign to damage the GOP heading into the 2022 Midterm Elections. ;</p>



<p>While those two monumental errors misjudgment should be enough to pass over McCarthy as Speaker, there have been no end of other lessor reasons. ; He lacks a political compass. ; He seems to react to the events of the moment – and changes hos positions as the events change. ; At the time of the Capitol Hill riot, he condemned Trump for not acting sooner to quell the mob. ; Later, McCarthy appears at Mar-a-Lago pushing back against his own on-scene opinions. ; Leadership requires a level of certainty. ; Unfortunately, McCarthy is the proverbial “uncertain trumpet”..</p>



<p>McCarthy is not a good spokesperson for the GOP. ; His stage presence is weak – and the man has zero charisma. ; He does not inspire confidence. ; There is no more important personal skill for a Speaker than to be able to speak … convincingly.</p>



<p>Can McCarthy be stopped?</p>



<p>In terms of the speakership, we are reaching the moment of truth. ; In a matter of days, the Republican members of the House they will control the House and have to elect the new Speaker.</p>



<p>Throughout the 2022 Midterm Election season, the prospect of Republicans winning control of the House has made the speakership a secondary story. ; For most of that period, it was not a big story because it seemed that Minority Leader McCarthy would be the guy.</p>



<p>Going into Election Day, it was believed by most political pundits that the GOP would pick up conservatively, 20 to 40 seats. ; Predictions of more than 60 seats were not considered outlandish. ; If ever the lower estimates had been achieved, it is likely that McCarthy would have picked up the Speaker’s gavel without meaningful challenge.</p>



<p>But … Republicans did not pick up 20 or more seats. ; In fact, they gained control of the House by nine seats – closely matching the Democrats previous narrow control margin.</p>



<p>Among the House Republicans there have always been up to a dozen of McCarthy detractors. ; Had the GOP ; won control of the House by a wide margin, they would not have been enough to stop McCarthy from becoming speaker. ; Now, however, a handful of “no” votes on McCarthy can doom his ambition.</p>



<p>There are more than enough to do that if they hold firm. ; A few are permanent “no” votes – but others are willing to give their vote to McCarthy for concessions – very significant concessions. ; The concessions involve such things as legislation, investigations, earmarks, committee assignments and fundraising. ; ;</p>



<p>Aide to Ukraine could be part of the negotiations. ; McCarthy already appears to have sided with the small minority of Republican members opposed to supporting the Kyiv government.</p>



<p>It is very possible that McCarthy will be able to meet the demands of the recalcitrant legislators and reach his life-long ambition – to be Speaker Kevin McCarthy. ; If that happens, it will be a mistake – and not a small one.</p>



<p>Virtually all of the most likely Republicans who will take over if McCarthy falls short would be better choices. ; My favorite is Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise.</p>



<p>House Republicans need a new voice very badly. ; McCarthy has been a relatively ineffective Minority Leader for the GOP. ; It will be an even bigger disaster if they make him an ineffective Speaker.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Say “no” to McCarthy as Speaker
