<p>Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the presumptive successor to John Boehner, shocked fellow lawmakers Thursday by abruptly announcing that he was withdrawing from the race to become the next House speaker.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re servants. We should put this conference first,&#8221; McCarthy said Thursday. &#8220;If we are going to unite and be strong, we need a new face.&#8217;<br /> ;<br />McCarthy&#8217;s bid for the post was hurt after a high-profile TV stumble in which he appeared to suggest the GOP-led House investigation into the 2012 Benghazi attack was partly aimed at weakening Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.</p>
<p>The Clinton campaign seized the opportunity, releasing a political ad featuring McCarthy&#8217;s gaffe. The ad contends Republicans &ldquo;finally admit it.&rdquo; The timing of McCarthy&#8217;s comments combined with the Hillary advert has caused a backlash that made McCarthy believe he would no longer be able to obtain enough votes to win the secret ballot election.<br /> ; <br />The move today could put Representative Daniel Webster, a Republican from Florida, in line for the third most important job in politics.</p>
<p>The election for Speaker was postponed until further notice.</p>