Go ahead, make my..

Way, way back in the good old days, William F. Buckley always proposed a vote for the most Conservative candidate who was able to win, which yours truly believes was the trap facing Conservative members of the House these past 5 or 6 days. Nevertheless, after stoically running up 15 rounds of voting, Kevin McCarthy finally came out victorious in the wee small hours.

On the other hand there are those who might proffer that the so-called Freedom Caucus appears to have been given many concessions, having come into its own as a power. They’ve shown the ability to stop bills they cannot countenance, and if McCarthy isn’t responsive to them, he won’t get very much done, if any.

Nevertheless, the result would suit most of us, as the things the swamp members do aren’t helpful much anyway. Let the games begin.

Rajan Laad, American Thinker: ‘Kevin McCarthy wins the speakership after 15 rounds of voting’ …

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) finally got what he wanted. Very early this morning, after four days and 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy received the votes needed to hold the coveted gavel.

McCarthy received 215 votes, while House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) received 212 votes.  Six Republican members voted “present.” This concluded a week of intense drama. However, for McCarthy, all’s well that ends well.

As he reached the magic number, McCarthy received a standing ovation and warm embraces from his colleagues. McCarthy acknowledged his wife and family in the gallery above as Republicans chanted, “USA! USA!”

It has been quite a journey for Speaker McCarthy. He began as a staffer for Congressman Bill Thomas from 1987 to 2002. McCarthy was elected to the California state Assembly in 2002. He became the Republican floor leader in 2003. Then, in 2006, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. Since then, McCarthy has steadily risen through the ranks of the House Republican leadership team. First, he was chief deputy whip, then he rose to whip, and following that he became minority leader.

Today, McCarthy is the highest-ranking Republican in the nation and third in line for the presidency.

The victory was historically significant, albeit for all the wrong reasons. This is for the first time in 163 years that the speaker’s race had lasted 15 rounds. The last race to take more than one ballot occurred in 1923, when the House re-elected then-speaker Frederick Gillett in nine rounds of voting. There were roughly 20 members who stood against McCarthy, most of whom were from the House Freedom Caucus. So what did these members want?

But the ice was beginning to thaw.  Perhaps McCarthy had conceded to some of the demands.  In the fourteenth round, more than half of the holdouts changed their vote to McCarthy.

Only six members remain steadfast in their opposition of McCarthy.  This includes Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Bob Good (R-Va.), and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), and Rep.-Elect Eli Crane (R-Ariz.).  All of them voted “present” in the 15th round.

There were copious occurrences all through the various rounds.  A baby was born.  Rep.-Elect Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), flew to and from Texas on Friday after his wife had delivered a baby.

But it wasn’t always good news.

The dissenters in the Freedom Caucus were attacked by colleagues.  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) reacted to the Freedom Caucus voting against McCarthy by using Democrat talking points.  He called them dimwitted and inarticulate, before branding them as terrorists. [end]

Full, link below with much, much, coverage ….

Kevin McCarthy not short of guile

There’s absolutely no doubt at all that there are people out there rattling the cage about “professional politicians“, just like Sleepy Joe and many others within the 80+ age bracket. They, unlike President Donald John Trump haven’t accomplished anything outside of Congress, yet there will be little in the way of opposition to the evil Marxist / Democrat / Hate America Party.

Nevertheless, yours truly was glad to see this debate play out, since it’s the type of debate we ought to be having routinely, since all of the back office deals and show votes are forever from the swamp. Congress should deliberate and debate publicly, with Kevin McCarthy not short of guile. That’s how it’s designed after all.

There are those of course who would never let loose to the fact that all this outcome did was to extend the time-frame before true patriots recover the country – if they’re able, that is. McCarthy and others likely will get squishy with demoMarxocrat demands, perhaps even to compromising some or all of the promises that were made to get him the speaker-ship. Nothing should change except maybe if the Republicans hold the House in 2024, McCarthy cohorts will have reneged on enough promises that the Freedom Caucus will have lined up a candidate for Speaker to challenge McCarthy and the other RINOs. Big “IF” though!

Bottom line is glad to see this debate play out, the type of debate we should be having routinely. All of the back office deals and a show vote are from the swamp, after all, while Congress should deliberate and debate publicly. That’s how it’s designed and ought to be maintained. Period!.

And on that note, time for today’s MAGA Pill – Warrior-President Donald John Trump – MAGA! KAG!

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• Rajan Laad, American Thinker: Kevin McCarthy wins the speakership after 15 rounds of voting