Who’s crazy enough to be Republican Speaker?

After two days of intra-Republican stalemate over electing Kevin McCarthy, our main question is why he still wants to lead the Crank Caucus?

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy talks to Tom Emmer during the second day of elections for Speaker of the House. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

We were taught to believe that all jobs have dignity, but on second thought there is serving as Speaker of a Republican-controlled House of Representatives. After two days of intra-GOP stalemate over electing Kevin McCarthy, our main question is why the California Congressman still wants the job?

For that matter, why would anyone want it? It’s true the Speaker is third in line to be President, you get your name in the history books and your portrait hung in the Capitol, and you can sit and applaud uncomfortably behind President Biden during his next two State of the Union addresses. Other than that, there’s not much to recommend the job.

That was true for John Boehner, who became Speaker in 2011 but was ousted in 2015 by a rump GOP faction after he failed to show enough enthusiasm for futile political gestures. Paul Ryan took over and was able to push through the 2017 tax reform, among other things, but he left after 2018 rather than have to deal with the growing Crank Caucus.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters as he leaves the Chamber during the second day of elections for Speaker of the House. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

Mr McCarthy lost three more floor votes on Wednesday, as 20 Republicans refused to budge despite being outvoted 10 to 1 by their colleagues. The rebels without a plausible alternative candidate first nominated Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, who had received only 31 votes in November in the contest with Mr McCarthy to become GOP leader. He’d lose a race against a Capitol parking-lot attendant.

The rebels then nominated Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who doesn’t want the job and endorsed Mr McCarthy. Then they nominated Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, a second-termer who voted for Mr McCarthy on the initial vote. He has no chance to win, but he does now have a higher name ID.

Scott Perry, Jim Jordan, and Chip Roy talk in the House Chamber during the second day of elections for Speaker of the House. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

At this point all of this isn’t so much about Mr McCarthy as about whether he or anyone else could lead a coherent majority for the next two years. Mr McCarthy has already conceded that a mere five Members will be able to move to vacate the Chair and put his Speakership in jeopardy. Any small faction could hold him hostage at any time.

If Mr McCarthy bows out, there are other Republicans who might be able to get 218 votes for Speaker, but why would they want the job? Does Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, want to spend two years listening to ultimatums from Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert?

Byron Donalds speaks to the media after being nominated for Speaker of the House. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

Wisconsin Rep. Michael Gallagher gave a spirited nominating speech for Mr McCarthy on Wednesday and is widely respected, but he can accomplish much more leading the Select Committee on China that Republicans are setting up.

The problem any GOP leader faces today is that too many Republicans don’t really want to hold and keep political power. They’re much more comfortable in opposition in the minority, which is easier because no hard decisions or compromises are necessary. You can rage against “the swamp” without having to do anything to change it. This is the fundamental and sorry truth behind the Speaker spectacle and the performative GOP politics of recent years.

It’s sorrier still because the country desperately needs an effective check on the excesses of the progressive left that dominates today’s Democratic Party. That’s what voters said when they gave Republicans the House majority, which they seem intent on squandering.

The Wall St Journal