The articles make it sound like McCarthy’s a lock with all the “conservatives” united behind him.
Boehner wouldn’t have resigned if there was ANY chance he’d be replaced with a conservative. He and his donor class backers knew McCarthy had the votes. This is akin to Ruth Bader Ginsberg resigning during Hillary Clinton’s term.
Boehner is getting out because it would have been a bitter struggle to remain. The GOP voters are fed up with their Congressional leadership. The RNC and other party elders gave Boehner the word that he was a political liability. No doubt the rise of Trump and other outsiders is weighing heavily on their minds. The natives are restless and want some scalps.