If all members of the House vote for a candidate for speaker, Kevin McCarthy can only lose four GOP members and still get elected with only Republican votes. Although a deal was offered by McCarthy to his GOP opponents, a GOP leadership source tells Politico there are at least “five ‘hard nos’ against him”:
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One GOP leadership source told us they believe there are still five “hard nos” against him — Reps. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.), LAUREN BOEBERT (R-Colo.), ANDY BIGGS (R-Ariz.), BOB GOOD (R-Va.) and MATT ROSENDALE (R-Mont.). Reminder: He can only lose four. . . .
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McCarthy allies are also worried about freshman Rep. ELI CRANE (R-Ariz.), who we hear has shown no indication of moving.
Bob Good tells reporters you "never" have to ask again, I'm never voting for Kevin McCarthy as he leaves meeting with holdouts off the hill.
— Lauren Fox (@FoxReports) January 5, 2023
Stepping out of meeting… Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) blisters Kevin McCarthy. He calls McCarthy “a desperate guy” then says he’s ready to “vote all night, all week, all month … and never for that person”
Cites lack of a “public apology” from McCarthy as a wedge issue pic.twitter.com/ovVnUf10wM
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) January 4, 2023
On the continuing mess … at least one Republican is *also ruling out Scalise* per @daveweigel: "Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale has said he’d oppose any speaker nominee who was part of House GOP leadership in the last 10 years" https://t.co/sf2a5ywDrQ
— Ben Smith (@semaforben) January 4, 2023
Sean Hannity to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO): "I asked you a simple question, congresswoman. I feel like I'm getting an answer from a liberal."
Boebert: "I'm not going to support Kevin McCarthy, Sean." pic.twitter.com/WWBp8ePc1D
— The Recount (@therecount) January 5, 2023
If at least five Republicans hold firm, McCarthy’s hope is that some of the “Never Kevin” Republicans vote “present” and lower the majority-threshold needed to elect a speaker.