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The Columbia Bugle Newsletter: Speaker's Race Edition

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The Columbia Bugle Newsletter: Speaker's Race Edition

Jan 9, 2023
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The Columbia Bugle Newsletter: Speaker's Race Edition

thecolumbiabugle.substack.com

After a chaotic finish to a wild week on the House Floor, Kevin Owen McCarthy (R-CA) is now the 55th Speaker of the House.

If you’ve followed our Twitter feed over the past few years, you are probably aware that we are no fans of McCarthy and he was not our choice for Speaker. That being said, we must salute the 20 Republicans who boldly stood up and held the line until they were able to extract a number of pretty impressive concessions out of McCarthy. Time will tell whether McCarthy honors all of these and how they are implemented, but this was a worthy battle to wage and we thank all of 20 for fighting in it.

(Note: Since these newsletters are long, Substack has indicated they may get cut off a bit when receiving them by email. If that happens, you can always access the full newsletter directly on Substack.)

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A Good Fight

The week began with reports that more Republicans may be joining the group of five who had already stated publicly that they would not be voting for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House on the first ballot.

The Original Five

Representative Matt Gaetz

The Great America First Patriot Representative Matt Gaetz kicked it off with an Op-Ed laying out the case against McCarthy: Republicans Need A Real Leader, Not Kevin McCarthy

On Jan. 3rd, Republicans will start the process of choosing the House Speaker. The Speaker will be second in line for the presidency and the most powerful elected Republican.

The vote will take several ballots and possibly many days. After internal debate, Republicans will come together and pick the right leader for the role and that should not be Kevin McCarthy.

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
I am NOT voting Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House.
9:19 PM ∙ Nov 14, 2022
3,520Likes559Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
I support President Trump. But if he believes that Kevin McCarthy should be Speaker of the House, then Donald Trump is wrong.
7:26 PM ∙ Dec 19, 2022
7,007Likes1,059Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
I'm not voting for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker because he's just a shill of The Establishment. The reason most of my Republican colleagues are supporting him is because they benefit from the redistribution of lobbyist & special interest money from McCarthy to their campaigns.
10:14 PM ∙ Dec 27, 2022
10,464Likes2,280Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
Kevin McCarthy believes in nothing. Nothing except money and power – but he failed to deliver the power as promised.
2:52 PM ∙ Dec 20, 2022
1,919Likes401Retweets

Representative Andy Biggs

Twitter avatar for @RepAndyBiggsAZ
Rep Andy Biggs @RepAndyBiggsAZ
My objective is clear. I am challenging Kevin McCarthy because the Republican Party requires a leader who will fight for the America First agenda and release a strategy on how to reverse the Biden Administration's policies. Someone has to step up and change the status quo.
10:40 PM ∙ Dec 1, 2022
5,958Likes1,674Retweets

Representative Andy Biggs’ Piece In The American Greatness: I Cannot Vote for Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker

During this midterm campaign, I attended hundreds of events in my district, around Arizona, and around the country. The issue I was asked about most often was whether I or the Republicans in the House, or the Republicans in the Senate, would keep the same leaders.

Not only did my constituents want the “red wave” that didn’t materialize, they also wanted new leadership.

In the end, I must concur with my constituents: it is time to make a change at the top of the House of Representatives. I cannot vote for the gentleman from California, Mr. McCarthy.

Representative Matt Rosendale

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
“We cannot continue to elect the same people, grant them the same privileges and process that eliminate participation from the body of Congress, and think that anything up here is going to change. We have to have regime change.” –@RepRosendale on Steve Bannon’s War Room
1:10 AM ∙ Nov 17, 2022
3,215Likes718Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepRosendale
Matt Rosendale @RepRosendale
We need to challenge the status quo in Washington. Watch my interview on @foxandfriends ⬇️
9:19 PM ∙ Dec 19, 2022
196Likes46Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepRosendale
Matt Rosendale @RepRosendale
Each Member of Congress has earned and deserves equal participation in the legislative process. That will only happen if the House returns to the rules that governed this legislative body before Nancy Pelosi took control. Kevin McCarthy isn’t willing to make those changes.
3:49 PM ∙ Nov 16, 2022
4,449Likes985Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepRosendale
Matt Rosendale @RepRosendale
He wants to maintain the status quo, which consolidates power into his hands and a small group of individuals he personally selects. We need a leader who can stand up to a Democrat-controlled Senate and President Biden, and unfortunately, that isn’t Kevin McCarthy.
3:49 PM ∙ Nov 16, 2022
1,449Likes277Retweets

Representative Matt Rosendale’s Op-Ed In The Billings Gazette: Change in Washington Starts With Electing The Right Speaker

We need a speaker who is strong enough to get things done with a Democrat-controlled White House and can unite the Republican party. You didn’t elect me to be a rubber stamp. We cannot continue to do the same thing with the same people and expect a different outcome. My promise is to always fight for Montanans while in Washington.

Representative Ralph Norman

Representative Ralph Norman’s Blog Post: The Speaker Of The House

Friends, I sincerely like Kevin McCarthy on a personal level, and I mean that. However, as a potential Speaker of the House, I haven't even scratched the surface of my concerns. I simply refuse to sit on the sidelines and go along with the crowd, just because the establishment has already ordained their "heir apparent" to the speakership.

Representative Bob Good

Twitter avatar for @RepBobGood
Congressman Bob Good @RepBobGood
“Leader McCarthy had a two-year audition where he had the exclusive opportunity to earn 218 votes for Speaker. He doesn’t have them.”
7:51 PM ∙ Nov 11, 2022
413Likes142Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepBobGood
Congressman Bob Good @RepBobGood
In January, the House will be the only thing standing between Americans and the Democrats’ assault on freedom, the family, the economy, and our national security. The next Speaker must be a true fighter committed to using every tool to stop the radical leftist agenda.
11:38 PM ∙ Dec 14, 2022
43Likes19Retweets

Representative Bob Good’s Op-Ed In the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Kevin McCarthy Is The Wrong Choice For House Speaker

Americans need a courageous conservative leader in the House who can lead and unite us in the fight against the Biden agenda. For the good of the Republican conference, for the good of Congress and for the good of the country, let’s hope Republican leaders will listen to the will of their constituents and vote for transformational change on Jan. 3.


Leading Up To The First Ballot

A few days before the scheduled Speaker vote, in response to continued negotiations, nine lawmakers signed a letter telling McCarthy that he had still not gone far enough.

Regrettably, however, despite some progress achieved, Mr.McCarthy’s statement comes almost impossibly late to address continued deficiencies ahead of the opening of the 118th Congress on January 3rd.

At this stage, it cannot be a surprise that expressions of vague hopes reflected in far too many of the crucial points still under debate are insufficient. This is especially true with respect to Mr. McCarthy’s candidacy for speaker because the times call for radical departure from the status quo — not a continuation of past, and ongoing, Republican failures. For someone with a 14-year presence in senior House Republican leadership, Mr. McCarthy bears squarely the burden to correct the dysfunction he now explicitly admits across that long tenure.

Meetings continued with McCarthy sounding less and less confident.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Doesn’t sound so confident anymore.
6:25 PM ∙ Jan 2, 2023
457Likes81Retweets

Gaetz reaffirming his commitment to vote no.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz Still A NO After Meeting With McCarthy
4:12 AM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
3,418Likes433Retweets

January 3rd

The morning of the vote for Speaker began with news of several more defections from McCarthy.

Representative Lauren Boebert

Twitter avatar for @RepBoebert
Rep. Lauren Boebert @RepBoebert
I worked diligently with my conservative colleagues to put together a deal that would unify the conference behind Kevin McCarthy. He rejected it. As things stand, I will not vote for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker. https://t.co/yprUUtC6E3
4:35 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
7,327Likes1,104Retweets

Representative Scott Perry

Twitter avatar for @henryrodgersdc
Henry Rodgers @henryrodgersdc
NEW Rep Scott Perry Issues Statement on Speaker Vote: “Kevin McCarthy had an opportunity to be Speaker of the House. He rejected it.” @DailyCaller
Image
Image
1:08 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
831Likes311Retweets

Representative Dan Bishop

Twitter avatar for @RepDanBishop
Rep. Dan Bishop @RepDanBishop
My statement on today's Speaker vote -
Image
4:19 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
8,790Likes1,601Retweets

Then things began to escalate with news that McCarthy was concerned there would be as many as 20 Republicans who would vote against him.

Twitter avatar for @Olivia_Beavers
Olivia Beavers @Olivia_Beavers
MCCARTHY acknowledges behind closed-doors there are likely 20 or so members voting against him, not 5
3:20 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
11,723Likes1,721Retweets
Twitter avatar for @MZanona
Melanie Zanona @MZanona
Things getting heated in House GOP meeting. McCarthy swore in his speech, dropping a “god damnit.” And he made clear he would negotiate no more. McCarthy also said opponents came to him with “personal asks” last night. Lauren boebert yelled in response to speech: “BULL SHIT”
3:12 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
23,122Likes3,353Retweets

Of course this led to America Last RINO Representative Dan Crenshaw flipping out.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
The dude who starred in his own cringey Marvel-style campaign video is calling people who don’t back McCarthy “narcissists” who are living in a “make believe fantasy reality.”
3:33 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
3,342Likes719Retweets

Representative Matt Gaetz’s Remarks Before The Vote

Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
Rep. @mattgaetz on opposing Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker: “If you want to drain the swamp, you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise.”
4:05 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
22,569Likes5,643Retweets
Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
BREAKING: @mattgaetz says members were threatened with removal from committees if they don’t vote for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker. “I’m not here to participate in some puppet show.. I don’t want to relive the Benghazi experience where it’s just theatre pretending to be oversight”
4:10 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
20,775Likes6,608Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz: "Everything I heard hardened my resolve that this town desperately needs change, and if it's a few of us who have to stand in the breach to force it, we are willing to do so for as long as it takes."
4:36 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
7,567Likes1,432Retweets

And guess who decided to show up for the vote.

Twitter avatar for @Olivia_Beavers
Olivia Beavers @Olivia_Beavers
SPOTTED: Mick Mulvaney, Jim Jordan, and McCarthy ally/pollster Frank Luntz off the House floor, per GOP source
5:03 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
259Likes73Retweets

More on McCarthy’s Best Friend.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
#Thread Tucker Carlson's Monologue Blasting The GOP For Their Disconnect With Voters And For Listening To Republican Strategist @FrankLuntz "Year after year on issue after issue the leadership of the Republican party fails to represent its voters." 1/
1:03 AM ∙ May 1, 2021
6,765Likes2,379Retweets
Twitter avatar for @TuckerCarlson
Tucker Carlson @TuckerCarlson
Frank Luntz & Kevin McCarthy. Not only are they friends. They are roommates.
1:08 AM ∙ May 4, 2021
13,500Likes4,427Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
More Info From @TuckerCarlson On @GOPLeader's Interesting Living Situation w/ "GOP Strategist" @FrankLuntz "We learned Kevin McCarthy paid $1500 a month to live in Frank Luntz's apartment. That sounds fine until you learn the apartment is 7,000 square feet & it's a penthouse."
1:50 AM ∙ May 8, 2021
1,836Likes725Retweets

The first ballot for Speaker of the House began with the nomination of Kevin McCarthy by Representative Elise Stefanik.

More on Stefanik.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Tucker Carlson: "Unless Conservatives get their act together right away, @GOPLeader or one of his highly liberal allies like @RepStefanik is very likely to be Speaker of the House in January. That would mean we would have a GOP Congress headed by a puppet of the Democratic Party"
12:38 AM ∙ Apr 27, 2022
2,865Likes1,153Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
MAGA World Pans Stefanik “The Columbia Bugle — an anonymously-run Twitter account with nearly 179,000 followers, including high-profile Trump movement influencers — described Stefanik as ‘a slightly less annoying America Last Republican.’”
politi.coMAGAworld pans StefanikDonald Trump’s populist base has serious issues with the New York congresswoman who’s poised to replace Rep. Liz Cheney.
1:28 AM ∙ May 7, 2021
784Likes180Retweets

Democrats followed that up by nominating Representative Hakeem Jeffries.

And then came the first moment of defiance against Kevin McCarthy for Speaker on the House Floor, with Representative Paul Gosar nominating Representative Andy Biggs for Speaker of the House.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepGosar Nominating @RepAndyBiggsAZ For Speaker Of The House
5:55 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
141Likes28Retweets

When the first ballot was completed, McCarthy had failed to receive enough votes to become Speaker and the number opposing him was not 5 or 14, but 19.

Twitter avatar for @Redistrict
Dave Wasserman @Redistrict
Here are the 19 House Rs who voted vs. McCarthy: Andy Biggs Dan Bishop Lauren Boebert Josh Brecheen Mike Cloud Andrew Clyde Eli Crane Matt Gaetz Bob Good Paul Gosar Andy Harris Anna Paulina Luna Mary Miller Ralph Norman Andy Ogles Scott Perry Matt Rosendale Chip Roy Keith Self
6:43 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
1,989Likes445Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
You’re not getting a coronation, Kevin.
6:51 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
269Likes25Retweets

On the second ballot, Representative Matt Gaetz nominated Representative Jim Jordan.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz's Full Speech Nominating Rep. @Jim_Jordan For Speaker Of The House
7:31 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
794Likes184Retweets

And McCarthy failed again with the same 19 Republicans voting against him, but this time all voting for Jordan.

Twitter avatar for @ChadPergram
Chad Pergram @ChadPergram
Unofficial votes for Speaker on second ballot: 212 for Jeffries 203 for McCarthy 19 for Jim Jordan
8:21 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
303Likes57Retweets

On the third ballot Representative Chip Roy nominated Jordan again.

Twitter avatar for @RepChipRoy
Rep. Chip Roy Press Office @RepChipRoy
"I want the tools or I want the leadership to stop the swamp from running over the average American every single day" "I don't want any more empty promises"
9:26 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
34,401Likes8,839Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepChipRoy
Rep. Chip Roy Press Office @RepChipRoy
"We're not going to back down until we get in a room and we decide how we'll be able to stand up and fight for the American people no matter who the speaker is." "I'm not blinking."
8:36 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
18,011Likes3,766Retweets

The 19 once again all voted against McCarthy and in favor of Jordan, but were joined by a new ally Representative Byron Donalds.

Twitter avatar for @Olivia_Beavers
Olivia Beavers @Olivia_Beavers
ANOTHER NO: Rep. BYRON DONALDS votes for Jordan after twice voting for McCarthy
9:23 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
3,255Likes334Retweets
Twitter avatar for @RepDonaldsPress
Congressman Byron Donalds @RepDonaldsPress
The reality is Rep. Kevin McCarthy doesn’t have the votes. I committed my support to him publicly and for two votes on the House Floor. 218 is the number, and currently, no one is there. Our conference needs to recess and huddle and find someone or work out the next steps…(1/3)
9:54 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
22,503Likes2,855Retweets
Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
BREAKING: Rep. @ByronDonalds responds to why he defected from Kevin McCarthy and voted for Jim Jordan for House Speaker: “If you can’t close this deal, at what point do members start looking elsewhere?.. We do have to elect a Speaker of the House but you have to have 218 votes”
9:55 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
3,155Likes652Retweets

After failing to receive enough votes for Speaker three times in a row, Team McCarthy made a motion to adjourn.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
#BREAKING: The US House of Representatives has adjourned until noon tomorrow. No Speaker has been elected yet.
10:28 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
499Likes98Retweets

Day 1 closed with McCarthy now being blocked from the Speakership by 20 Republicans.

The 20

Twitter avatar for @mattgaetz
Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
Today the House didn’t organize Biggest loser: Zelensky Biggest winner: US Taxpayers
11:32 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
72,841Likes8,823Retweets
Twitter avatar for @realJoelValdez
Joel Valdez @realJoelValdez
People should believe Gaetz.
Image
Twitter avatar for @mkraju
Manu Raju @mkraju
Asked about Matt Gaetz saying Kevin McCarthy can’t get 218 votes to become speaker, McCarthy told me: “Do you believe Gaetz or do you believe me?”
12:06 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
5,610Likes814Retweets

Tucker Carlson weighed in on the Speaker’s race that night.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Tucker Carlson Reacts To Kevin McCarthy's Failure To Secure The Speakership Today "McCarthy is not especially conservative. He's in fact ideologically agnostic. He's flexible. His real constituency is the lobbying community in Washington."
1:13 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
1,127Likes340Retweets

And made some recommendations.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Tucker Carlson's Recommendations For A Flailing Kevin McCarthy -Release The January 6th Files -Put @RepThomasMassie In Charge Of A New Frank Church Committee Designed To Discover What The FBI & Intel Agencies Have Been Doing To Control Domestic Politics
1:23 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
1,702Likes534Retweets

And of course Hannity offered the most Boomer reaction.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMER!!!!
2:10 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
709Likes84Retweets

Throwback To A Great Revolver News Piece On Hannity: The America First Movement Has A Sean Hannity Problem

Until they liberate themselves from The Hannity Trap, the compulsion to snap back in line behind the military-industrial-globalism complex whenever it actually matters, the Republican Party, Fox News, and other bastions of American “conservatism” will never be capable or worthy of Making America Great Again.

Rep. Roy debating Laura Ingraham, who used some of the most ridiculous Team McCarthy arguments.

Twitter avatar for @RepChipRoy
Rep. Chip Roy Press Office @RepChipRoy
"Explain to me how what we've been doing is working." The status quo must change, period.
3:41 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
11,160Likes2,377Retweets

Rep. Gaetz closed out the night by asking the Architect of the Capitol why McCarthy was squatting in the Speaker of the House Office.

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
The Speaker of the House Office in the Capitol is currently being occupied by Kevin McCarthy. Kevin McCarthy is not the Speaker of the House. He lost 3 consecutive votes today. I’m demanding answers from the Architect of the Capitol.
Image
2:41 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
31,010Likes6,714Retweets
Twitter avatar for @mattgaetz
Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
I’d like to report a squatter
Twitter avatar for @juliegraceb
Juliegrace Brufke @juliegraceb
Gaetz sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol questioning why McCarthy is allowed to occupy the Speaker’s office. https://t.co/gOlXOtlHQj
2:52 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
27,679Likes4,835Retweets
Twitter avatar for @mattgaetz
Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
McCarthy isn’t even speaker and the lobbyists are moving in! How many votes does he have to lose before he resides in a member office like the rest of us who aren’t Speaker?
Twitter avatar for @jordainc
Jordain Carney @jordainc
Spotted Jeff Miller (McCarthy ally/GOP fundraiser) heading into speaker’s office
4:03 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
6,334Likes1,321Retweets

January 4th

The next day began with reports that McCarthy was willing to agree to some of the provisions that Tucker Carlson had laid out in the segment shared above.

Twitter avatar for @JackPosobiec
Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 @JackPosobiec
Hearing McCarthy team willing to agree to both the provisions Tucker laid out: 1. Release all files related to January 6 + new Jan 6 Cmte run by GOP 2. Put Thomas Massie in charge of a new Church committee
10:37 AM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
10,556Likes1,904Retweets

But nothing appeared to be officially agreed to yet and Rep. Gaetz still had the votes to block McCarthy.

Twitter avatar for @LevineJonathan
Jon Levine @LevineJonathan
NEW — Rep @mattgaetz tells me he has the votes to stop Kevin McCarthy from becoming speaker today
3:14 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
1,399Likes166Retweets
Twitter avatar for @mattgaetz
Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
McCarthy is losing it. He texted one of my colleagues who didn’t vote for him: “I am ready to fund an endless war” I’m assuming this is in *addition* to Ukraine.
4:29 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
56,577Likes13,622Retweets

On the fourth ballot Rep. Roy nominated Rep. Donalds for Speaker.

McCarthy failed to get back any of the 20 defectors. This time, they all voted for Donalds.

There was one surprise though.

Twitter avatar for @greg_price11
Greg Price @greg_price11
🚨We have a flip. Rep. Victoria Spartz votes "present" after voting for McCarthy on the first three ballots.
6:13 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
1,646Likes188Retweets

The fifth and sixth ballots ended with the exact same results: 20 votes for Donalds and one vote of present.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
6 Votes 6 Ls
Image
9:38 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
1,732Likes204Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
What’s he thinking?
Image
10:26 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
559Likes71Retweets

They then adjourned until 8pm et, where they then adjourned again until the next day.

Twitter avatar for @Olivia_Beavers
Olivia Beavers @Olivia_Beavers
MCCARTHY going onto the floor tells reporters: “We’re going to break in a little bit and go meet.” per @nicholaswu12
8:49 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
261Likes54Retweets
Twitter avatar for @JakeSherman
Jake Sherman @JakeSherman
After A LOT of drama, the House has passed an adjournment vote 216-214
1:25 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
1,103Likes142Retweets

Crenshaw continued to meltdown.

Twitter avatar for @greg_price11
Greg Price @greg_price11
Rep. Dan Crenshaw on the 20 Republicans who oppose McCarthy: "We cannot let the terrorists win."
9:06 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
1,110Likes368Retweets

Epic Donalds Reaction

Twitter avatar for @evanmcmurry
Evan McMurry @evanmcmurry
Reporter: "You've put yourself in a pretty public position opposing the person that could be the speaker. Are you worried about retribution?" Rep. Byron Donalds: "Man, I'm 6'2", 275, I'm not worried about that."
9:55 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
32,309Likes5,766Retweets

Gaetz and others met with McCarthy later that night.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz After Meeting With McCarthy “He’s a desperate guy whose vote share is dropping w/ every subsequent vote & I’m ready to vote all night, all week, all month & never for that person.” Also asks why Kevin is still squatting in Speaker’s office.
11:35 PM ∙ Jan 4, 2023
13,309Likes2,860Retweets

Tucker once again called out Team McCarthy.

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
.@TuckerCarlson on McCarthy’s bid for Speaker: "You don't want to be ruled by a man who wears a Ukrainian flag lapel pin and lives with Frank Luntz? No problem, we get it."
2:29 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
18,038Likes4,141Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Tucker Carlson Calls Out The Dirty Tactics Of Team McCarthy “Instead, like the Left they purport to oppose, they’re using threats and fear to force people to support the candidate.”
1:15 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
2,121Likes711Retweets

And put Crenshaw on blast.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Tucker Carlson Reacts To Rep. @DanCrenshawTX's Unhinged Comments Calling Opponents To McCarthy "Terrorists" And "Enemies" "What you just saw was the snarling face of the Donor Class."
1:39 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
2,802Likes866Retweets

Boebert vs. Hannity

Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
Hannity is insufferable. @laurenboebert: “I will not withdraw” 🔥
2:27 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
20,840Likes3,835Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
🔥🔥🔥 .@RepBoebert: "We're in Day 2, it's ok. The Government isn't spending money, sending it to Ukraine. So the American taxpayers are certainly winning."
2:26 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
2,334Likes441Retweets

Gaetz went on Fox News later that night.

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
We’re not trying to dictate terms. We represent our constituents. Kevin McCarthy has no ideology. He’s a vessel through which lobbyists and special interests operate. My team are the people in Florida who sent me here to fight for them.
5:24 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
30,526Likes6,310Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz Fires Back At Trey Gowdy's "Clown Show" Comment "Trey Gowdy would know something about clown shows. That's probably how a lot of us would categorize the Benghazi hearings that resulted in people screaming at each other & a big report but no real accountability."
6:25 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
5,779Likes1,381Retweets

Bad Lip Reading’s Take On Gosar Chatting With AOC

Twitter avatar for @BadLipReading
Bad Lip Reading @BadLipReading
They don't always discuss politics #aoc #118thCongress
12:56 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
68,407Likes10,841Retweets

January 5th

7th Ballot

Another day of voting began with Donalds being nominated again and all 20 voting against McCarthy with one vote of present.

19 of those 20 voted for Donalds again, but Gaetz changed things up and voted for the big man himself.

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
My vote for Speaker of the House today? Donald John Trump.
5:50 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
96,398Likes16,820Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
It’s Time #SpeakerTrump
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5:57 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
1,803Likes346Retweets
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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney
Trump spokeswoman retweets Gaetz’s speaker vote.
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6:06 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
3,479Likes571Retweets
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Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
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6:45 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
65,353Likes10,227Retweets
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ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
Donald Trump posted this on Truth Social 😂
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11:32 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
14,108Likes2,361Retweets

The 8th ballot yielded similar results with all 20 voting against McCarthy.

17 voted for Donalds again.

2 (Boebert and Brecheen) voted for a new nominee Representative Kevin Hern.

Gaetz voted for Donald Trump again, making history.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz Votes For Donald Trump A Second Time For Speaker Of The House
7:32 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
525Likes92Retweets
Twitter avatar for @mattgaetz
Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
#History https://t.co/hdfhu04Cn6
Twitter avatar for @Bencjacobs
Ben Jacobs @Bencjacobs
Gaetz casts a second vote for "Donald John Trump." Trump has now tied John Quincy Adams for the most Speaker votes cast for a former president. Adams received two votes in the 1835 Speaker's election
7:29 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
8,626Likes1,276Retweets

9th Ballot

17 for Donalds

3 for Hern (Boebert, Brecheen and Gaetz)

10th Ballot

13 for Donalds

7 for Hern (Biggs, Boebert, Brecheen, Crane, Gaetz, Harris and Rosendale)

Reports then began coming out about a deal being worked on.

Twitter avatar for @JakeSherman
Jake Sherman @JakeSherman
🚨 NEW: Sources tell us a deal between MCCARTHY and his opponents is close. CHIP ROY and PATRICK MCHENRY have been negotiating it All the big players are now in TOM EMMER's 1st floor office. RALPH NORMAN says he expects an offer in writing tonight w @bresreports/@heatherscope
10:18 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
2,082Likes736Retweets

For the eleventh ballot made good on his promise and formally nominated President Donald Trump.

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
I’m formally nominating President Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House. Make the House of Representatives Great Again!
11:46 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
51,581Likes9,800Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Promises Made, Promises Kept!
Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
FLASHBACK: March 2022: @MattGaetz : “Give us the ability to Fire Nancy Pelosi, take back the majority, impeach Joe Biden and I’m gonna nominate Donald Trump as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.” https://t.co/ie5DrgeCpD
6:26 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
1,981Likes344Retweets

And asked once again why Kevin was still squatting in the Speaker’s Office.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
.@RepMattGaetz Calls Out Kevin McCarthy For Squatting In The Speaker's Office "I would like to know what the basis is to allow somebody to occupy the Speaker's Office who comes in second place 10 straight times."
11:51 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023
11,827Likes2,304Retweets

Eleventh Ballot Votes

12 for Donalds (Good switched to Hern)

7 for Hern (Gaetz switched to Trump)

1 for Trump

The House then adjourned again until January 6th at noon et.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
It’s been 11 Ls and McCarthy isn’t moving a single vote to his side. How long do you want to do this, Kevin?
12:20 AM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
1,295Likes205Retweets
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The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Why did it take this long for McCarthy to say he is against Mike Rodgers’ unhinged threat to remove the committee assignments from those who vote against McCarthy? The story has been out there for days.
3:19 AM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
398Likes106Retweets

Tucker called out Crenshaw again later that night.

Twitter avatar for @ColumbiaBugle
The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 @ColumbiaBugle
Tucker Carlson: "@DanCrenshawTX is a committed neo-liberal. He's a tool of his donors. He's hawkish on Ukraine's border but indifferent to ours. And Dan Crenshaw knows that Kevin McCarthy is the least conservative speaker he is likely to get ever."
1:10 AM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
2,421Likes750Retweets

Gaetz Vs. Ingraham

Twitter avatar for @RepMattGaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz
I will not be voting for Kevin McCarthy. I resent the extent to which he utilizes the lobbyists and special interests to dictate how political decisions, policy decisions, and leadership decisions are made. We have zero trust in him.
4:01 AM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
29,481Likes5,097Retweets
Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
BREAKING: Rep. @mattgaetz: “If Democrats join up to elect a moderate Republican, I will resign from the House of Representatives”
4:08 AM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
5,304Likes1,064Retweets

Pedro Gonzalez’s Excellent Substack Piece: Sending A Message

How this will end is yet to be determined, but it is the first time in a very long time that anyone in this country has tried to send a message to the powerful and hold their golden loafers to the fire, and that is, as they say, what democracy looks like.


January 6th Part One: The Rumblings Of A Truce

January 6th began with confusion over whether a deal had been finally reached.

Twitter avatar for @JakeSherman
Jake Sherman @JakeSherman
Later on the call, McCarthy said I’m not saying we have an agreement. I am saying we’re in a great spot. HFC is meeting about the proposed deal.
Twitter avatar for @JakeSherman
Jake Sherman @JakeSherman
🚨🚨🚨NEWS— KEVIN MCCARTHY ANNOUNCES ON GOP CALL THAT HE AND CHIP ROY HAVE A DEAL
3:33 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
401Likes122Retweets

But once the twelfth ballot came around it became obvious that McCarthy was making progress.

Twitter avatar for @JakeSherman
Jake Sherman @JakeSherman
FOURTEEN FLIPS ON THIS VOTE FOR MCCARTHY BRECHEEN BISHOP CLOUD CLYDE DONALDS LUNA MILLER NORMAN PERRY ROY SELF SPARTZ GOSAR OGLES
6:18 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
360Likes152Retweets

This moment was hilarious.

Twitter avatar for @greg_price11
Greg Price @greg_price11
Rep. Matt Rosendale yelled "Kevin" took a long pause and then said "Hern" instead of McCarthy lmfao.
6:08 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
5,160Likes743Retweets

The twelfth ballot brought the number opposing McCarthy down to 7 and then the thirteenth ballot brought it down to 6 with Harris switching to McCarthy. The House then adjourned until later that night with McCarthy’s side much more confident.

Twitter avatar for @RealKyleMorris
Kyle Morris @RealKyleMorris
Seven Republicans are now withholding support for Kevin McCarthy’s bid for speaker: - @RepAndyBiggsAZ of Arizona - @RepBoebert of Colorado - @EliCraneAZ of Arizona - @RepMattGaetz of Florida - @RepBobGood of Virginia - @RepAndyHarrisMD of Maryland - @RepRosendale of Montana
6:37 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
873Likes194Retweets
Twitter avatar for @therecount
The Recount @therecount
Kevin McCarthy tells CNN's @mkraju he believes he will have the votes to be elected House Speaker tonight. Asked how he knows that, McCarthy responds, "Because I count."
8:34 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
479Likes144Retweets

A framework of the deal was released.

Twitter avatar for @realannapaulina
Anna Paulina Luna @realannapaulina
For those wondering:
Image
10:23 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
23,202Likes5,531Retweets

Representative Thomas Massie went on Tucker’s show that night to announce the formation of a committee modeled after the “Church Committee” to investigate the weaponization of the FBI.

Twitter avatar for @RepThomasMassie
Thomas Massie @RepThomasMassie
.@TuckerCarlson suggested forming a new “Church Committee.” @GOPLeader is making this happen in the House rules package. I’ll serve on it, and we will go wherever the evidence leads us.
2:42 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
15,567Likes3,741Retweets
Twitter avatar for @ggreenwald
Glenn Greenwald @ggreenwald
I'm not usually a big fan of sequels, but Church Committee 2 is long, long overdue. And it's coming:
8:21 PM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
8,010Likes2,033Retweets

January 6th Part 2: Friday Night Chaos

As members of Congress began to head back to the floor for the fourteenth ballot it appeared as though McCarthy had finally sealed the deal and was going to be sworn in as Speaker sometime before midnight.

That belief seemed to be confirmed when Republicans only had one nominating speech.

Representative Patrick McHenry nominated Kevin McCarthy in a speech that was much more celebratory than the previous McCarthy nominating speeches. The mood on the Team McCarthy side was definitely different this time.

And if McCarthy’s math skills were to be believed, this war was over.

Twitter avatar for @therecount
The Recount @therecount
Kevin McCarthy tells CNN's @mkraju he believes he will have the votes to be elected House Speaker tonight. Asked how he knows that, McCarthy responds, "Because I count."
8:34 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
479Likes144Retweets

The Fourteenth Ballot

You won’t hear this often, but this is must watch CSPAN. I’ve linked the start of the voting down below.

Team McCarthy either failed at math or there was some kind of miscommunication.

Twitter avatar for @cspan
CSPAN @cspan
"A speaker has not been elected." U.S. House Speaker Election 12th Ballot Result: Kevin McCarthy - 216 Hakeem Jeffries - 212 Jim Jordan – 2 Andy Biggs - 2 Other – 0 Present - 2 #118thCongress c-span.org/event/?525203/…
Image
4:16 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
782Likes234Retweets

And then all hell broke loose.

Twitter avatar for @alx
ALX 🇺🇸 @alx
BREAKING: Rep. @mattgaetz votes present, leaving Kevin McCarthy one vote short of being confirmed as Speaker. McCarthy confronts him.
4:10 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
11,782Likes2,569Retweets
Twitter avatar for @EWachsberg
Elizabeth Wachsberg @EWachsberg
@jonfavs Rodgers lunged at Gaetz?
4:07 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
1,002Likes340Retweets

Team McCarthy then made a motion to adjourn and it looked as though the night would end without a Speaker. But while the votes for adjournment were being tallied there appeared to finally be some sort of agreement.

Twitter avatar for @cspan
CSPAN @cspan
During vote to adjourn Matt Gaetz talks to Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy changes his vote to adjourn. Appears a 15th vote for speaker will take place shortly. WATCH LIVE on C-SPAN c-span.org/event/?525203/… #118thCongress
4:39 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
1,151Likes348Retweets

The Fifteenth Ballot

Biggs, Crane, Good and Rosendale joined Boebert and Gaetz in voting present and Kevin McCarthy became the 55th Speaker of the House.

Twitter avatar for @cspan
CSPAN @cspan
"Therefore, the honorable Kevin McCarthy of the state of California, having received a majority of the votes cast, is duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives." 15th Ballot Result: Kevin McCarthy - 216 Hakeem Jeffries - 211 Present - 6 #118thCongress
5:49 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
411Likes180Retweets

If you want to watch one of the worst speeches ever given on the House Floor, here you go.

McCarthy Sworn In

Twitter avatar for @cspan
CSPAN @cspan
Kevin McCarthy is sworn in as Speaker of the House. #118thCongress
6:50 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023
221Likes84Retweets

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s Speech

The speech was forgettable with the same platitudes and stories you can hear from any politician. But that is to be expected with McCarthy. He’s an empty suit who has finally achieved his dream job.

If being Speaker was all that he wanted and he honors the deal, then there is reason to be excited about what the courageous 20 achieved. They deserve a lot of praise for holding out for as long as they did against pressure from their donors, their colleagues and “conservative” media. Many will try and claim credit and steal the valor of these patriots, but to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, the credit belongs to those who were actually in the arena.

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The Columbia Bugle Newsletter: Speaker's Race Edition

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