Posted on 02/01/2024 9:39:16 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Former Congressman Kevin McCarthy is said to be undertaking a "revenge operation" against those who ended his tenure as Speaker of the House.
McCarthy was voted out of the speakership last October by a slim margin after a handful of Republicans sided with Democrats in supporting a motion to vacate.
Now, according to a report from Politico, McCarthy is reportedly plotting his revenge against the eight Republican lawmakers he believes betrayed him.
The outlet reported:
A top McCarthy ally, Brian O. Walsh, is overseeing an attempt to recruit primary challengers to take on members of the infamous “Gaetz Eight” — the Capitol’s nickname for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and seven Republicans who supported his fire-McCarthy push — according to six people familiar with the plans who were granted anonymity to discuss them.
This will reportedly involve leveraging McCarthy's extensive "donor network" to target candidates such as Gaetz with strong, well-funded primary challenges.
“These traitors chose to side with Nancy Pelosi, AOC and over 200 Democrats to undermine the institution, their fellow Republicans and a duly elected Speaker,” Walsh was quoted as saying. “There must be consequences for that decision.”
As the report explains, among those first to be targeted include Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Bob Good of Virginia, and Eli Crane of Arizona:
That quiet work shows McCarthy’s appetite for payback remains intense, even months after his October ouster as speaker and December departure from Congress. It also illustrates that even out of office, the former speaker and his supporters can make life miserable for his detractors — a further sign that the House GOP power struggle between burn-it-down hardliners and more establishment conservatives is alive and well.
Walsh is acting with McCarthy’s blessing. While the former speaker is not involved in the day-to-day work of the project, he is briefed on its progress, as are key donors, according to a person familiar with the effort who was granted anonymity to discuss it.
His efforts are still unlikely to be successful in this year's Congressional cycle. His number one target is understood to be Nancy Mace, whose vote he viewed as a major betrayal and whose South Carolina district is described as "Ground Zero for McCarthy’s revenge tour."
McCarthy's anger was compounded by his longtime pursuit of the speakership, a position he coveted since first entering Congress in 2006. However, his influence in the world of politics will be diminished by his decision to leave frontline politics at the end of last year, resigning his California congressional seat.
During his farewell speech, McCarthy declared he had no regrets about his decision to negotiate a continuing resolution with Democrats to prevent a government shutdown.
"One thing I think we must quite understand, and if there’s advice I can give: Do not be fearful if you believe your philosophy brings people more freedom," he said at the time. "Do not be fearful that you could lose your job over it."
"I knew the day we decided to make sure to choose to pay our troops while war was breaking out, instead of shutting down, was the right decision. I also knew a few would make a motion. Somehow they disagreed with that decision. Do it anyways. I would do it all again."
For now, though, it appears as if he's looking for payback.
We all know somebody who got hosed in the working world. Maybe you’re one of them.
It’s very tempting to want to talk about it and strike out at the people who did it.
Far better to accept it, shrug, and blaze a new trail, without a word. Those few who know you got messed up will respect you for it.
Blazing a new path myself right now.
McCarthy is a punk.
And remember it was McCarthy who got HR2 "Secure the Border Act of 2023" through...and it went to the Senate and they have been sitting on it ever since. Biden's bill...well who knows what's in it...but it is surely not even close to HR2.
Ye gads...who writes this sh*t?
-PJ
McCarthy has way too much time on his hands.
He should open a Hot Dog Stand in Bakersfield.
Primary challenges are organized all the time. Not a big thing, really.
Damndest thing, eh? :-)
Gaetz is a rock star in his ruby red district in the Florida panhandle. Oh did I mention his daddy is worth half a billion dollars at least? Go ahead and see who you can recruit McCarthy. Most Republican voters hate your guts and hate any RINOs who side with you.
Nancy Mace? Go ahead and target her. I want her out for being a RINO as much as you do for voting to remove your worthless azz.
Is he planning any revenge against Democrats who said they would back him in the event of a no-confidence vote?
Please STOP. This is based on a Politico (leafty leaning publication/article), they want conservatives and independent voters to NOT discuss issues but personalities-that is how they win
Exactly, McCarthy is breaking the first rule of being stuck in quicksand as he is only making it worse until he is beyond the point of no return. Perhaps he will change parties and run again this fall and attempt to be speaker after challenging Nanzi. Have my doubt that the worthless do-nothing GOPe will even get re-elected this fall in spite of a Trump win.
He accuses the eight that ousted him of being traitors.
Wow! He betrayed everyone who supported him and the American people. He let the J6 political show stand………
His hate of Trump exceeded his love of his country and its citizens.
“You knew I was a snake when you took me in.”
Here’s why it won’t work. To a high degree more conservative Republicans vote in primaries.
The targets of this petty attempt at revenge will just run on “McCarthy hates me so I am the conservative in this race.”
McCarthy’s picture will appear next to a picture of Soros and Pelosi.
Being attacked by McCarthy will be a badge of honor.
End of story.
Yep kev the Republican’t.
“These traitors chose to side with Nancy Pelosi, AOC and over 200 Democrats to undermine the institution, their fellow Republicans and a duly elected Speaker,” Walsh was quoted as saying...
Ignoring the fact that Kevin McCarthy was siding with Pelosi and the Rats for his entire term as Speaker. Voting and passing continuing resolution funding that originated by Pelosi herself.
So who is the real traitor here Mr. Brian O’rangutan Walsh. /spit
McCarthy will be relegated to the dust bin of hist9ry as a wannabe patriot who was more loyal to Machiavelli than the Constitution.
He3 is a ‘small man’ who even thouoght he could fool Prtesident Trump by making several traitirous trips to Mara Largo to petition the MAGA network.
McCarthy is a bedwetter and a hand wringer whose idea of bi partisanship is surrender to the left in all things.He nearly ruined the Republican party by sucking McConnell’s ass.Like McCarthy. McConnell has to go.ASAP.
Words from McCarthy. His Deeds are done.
Comments BUMP!
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