Conservative writer Bill Kristol, a staunch opponent of former President Donald Trump, threw his support behind a “doomsday scenario” to block Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from becoming the next Speaker of the House.
Instead, Kristol advocated that Democrats close ranks with “decent Republicans” to select a Speaker in line with his positions. He demanded that a “non-election denying” GOP member take the gavel.
NeverTrumper Bill Kristol is advocating for the “doomsday scenario” in which the GOP works with House Democrats to thwart Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). https://t.co/pZuhGUEZkm
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) December 1, 2022
Kristol noted in a tweet that the office is constitutional and in line for the presidency. He then asked if McCarthy’s objections to “legal and correct election results” thwart his push to be Speaker.
This, of course, comes from the mouthpiece that recently asserted that the GOP “cannot be saved.”
It also flatly contradicts an online posting in 2017 when Kristol endorsed a coup in place of “normal democratic and constitutional policies” just after Trump was inaugurated.
Kristol said then that he prefers normal procedures but at the same time favors “the deep state to the Trump state.”
The writer’s approach from the center is countered by others within the Republican Party on the right who are also lining up in opposition to McCarthy’s bid for House Speaker.
Dozens reportedly now say they reject the gavel passing from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to the California Republican leader. Those declaring their intentions to vote “no” include Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who called himself a “hard no.”
Norman said it will take more than mere changes to House rules to ensure his support for McCarthy. Instead, “he’s going to have to give me an ironclad…agreement that we will have a budget that will balance” within seven years or another specific timeframe.
Joining Norman is Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), who revealed his intentions to challenge McCarthy’s bid on the House floor next month.
Other vocal opponents include Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Bob Good (R-VA), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT).
McCarthy needs 218 votes in the House come January to be the next Speaker. That totals more than half of the body, and with pushback from both the left and right, it is difficult to see where that level of support will materialize.
