McCarthy, Gaetz, Trump and the Future

My Thoughts

As a Republican, the role of Speaker under the current conditions is an impossible one. With a Republican House and a Democrat Senate, Speaker McCarthy and the Republicans were under pressure to put forth a bill to avoid a shut down. That said there is a growing concern among conservatives about the obese nature of our government and spending as well as an ever increasing $33 Trillion debt. While I am not suggesting that the speaker couldn’t have done a better job, the move by Matt Gaetz to vacate the chair – remove Speaker McCarthy from his position – was a mistake.

In the lead-up to what promises to be tough 2024 election cycle, the Republican Party now more than ever needs to show unity, and this is far from that. What Gaetz and his 7 colleagues had expected from McCarthy I believe was unrealistic given the Democrat controlled Senate.

Currently, this has no impact on President Trump’s reelection, in fact his wanting of Republicans to just stop the infighting will help him. However, while President Trump most likely has an opinion on the matter, I believe this will hurt him in the long run should he involve himself in the election of a new speaker. The action by the eight Trump enthusiasts has so enraged the other 96% of House Republicans, that if President Trump were to get involved it could push them to support another candidate - DeSantis or Halley (I don't think Vivek will be able to pull it through to the end.)

The two leading candidates for speaker, Tom Emmer and Jim Jordan, both excellent choices will have the daunting task dealing with Gaetz and company without further fracturing the party.