The Republicans who will supposedly control Congress beginning in November are currently engaged in a very uncivil war that suggests their party has become so factionalized that they may not be able to reach a consensus on anything.
For example, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is trying to line up the 218 votes he needs to be the next Speaker of the House, but all around him many in the extreme right MAGA wing of the GOP are making it clear they will do everything within their power to guarantee that never happens.
That’s the case with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who angrily announced this week that he is doing everything possible to kneecap McCarthy before the first vote for Speaker is ever taken, telling convicted felon and former Trump administration official Steve Bannon:
“When someone says, I will never leave, it isn’t exactly the battle cry of an inspirational leader. It sounds more like someone who can’t accept a breakup. In the case of Kevin McCarthy and the Republican conference, this is no no fault divorce. There are things Kevin McCarthy did to erode the trust of the members he needs to vote for him if he wants to be speaker.”
The Florida Republican added:
“While you see various spasms of conservatism or purported conservatism directed at big tech or [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas], remember that Kevin McCarthy has been holding up a shield to protect some of the dangerous elements of society that have harmed conservatives. And I don’t think that he has passed the test of leadership.”
Gaetz’s remarks were the topic of discussion Sunday on MSNBC, with former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele telling host Jonathan Capehart that a tweet Gaetz sent this week in which he called McCarthy “Cavin’ McCarthy” is proof positive that McCarthy has become little more than a punk.
“Everybody knows a punk when they see one. That’s — I’m sorry — that’s the tweet after the meeting?”
The former RNC chief continued, “No, you ain’t got nothing, you hold nothing. You’ve got nothing, right?”
“Can I punk you in your face enough? Can I look at you and just go ‘Man — nah, I aint’ going to deal with it, caving Kevin.’ It’s, it’s the groveling. What type of leader do you think he’s going to be if that’s in your caucus? A member of your caucus thinks that about you?”
