Kevin McCarthy’s “Assistant Speaker” plot shows just how screwed House Republicans are
At this point there don’t appear to be any candidates for Speaker of the House who can simultaneously satisfy far right House Republicans’ desire for depraved antics and the desire of House Republicans in 2024 toss-up races to keep the antics to a minimum. And without both groups, no one can get the necessary votes. But now Kevin McCarthy has a plan.
McCarthy is now pursuing a plan that would allow him to become Speaker of the House again, this time with Jim Jordan as “Assistant Speaker” of the House. No really, this is a real thing being reported by NBC News. I mean, “Assistant Speaker” isn’t a real thing. But it’s a real idea that McCarthy is pushing.
The jokes just write themselves. Jim Jordan having a made up title like “Assistant Speaker” is like on The Office, where Dwight Schrute had the made up title “Assistant to the Regional Manager” that he kept shortening to “Assistant Regional Manager.” Heck, why not get everyone involved with fake titles? Ronald McDonald can be third in command, and the Hamburglar can be Sergeant-at-Arms.
The kicker is that this plan could actually work. I mean, probably not. But Kevin McCarthy did just get 33 votes in tonight’s latest closed door round of voting for Speaker. He hasn’t pulled his name. He’s clearly pursuing this McCarthy-Jordan two headed monster thing. And whether it succeeds or not, it shows just how screwed these House Republicans are. The only thing more embarrassing than having no Speaker would be having one and a half Speakers.
