[Political Junkie Too]

McCarthy appears to be stuck at 214 with three members not voting.

If I were on McCarthy's team, I'd sit him down and have this conversation:

Kevin, let's suppose that you step aside and support Steve Scalise for Speaker. Remember that you're still going to be the Majority Leader, and that's no small deal.

Steve is a very sympathetic leader to the rest of the GOP caucus and I'm sure he'd get in on his first vote, but you will be right behind him all the way.

And let's face it, you would still be the nominal speaker behind the scenes. Steve's great, don't get me wrong, but the 214 Republicans will still follow you.

So I'd recommend that you let Steve become the Speaker-in-name-only just to get this thing done. Then we can go onto the things we want to do.

After all, you're really the power here now, not Steve. He'd do whatever you tell him to do.

Let's just get this done.

Would McCarthy go for it? What's more important to him, the real power or the spotlight of power?

-PJ

[PerConPat]

Good points...I also wonder what his backers, both above and below board, are telling him. After all, it's worth a fortune to have a speaker in their pockets—and vice versa...

[Fury]

Would McCarthy go for it? What's more important to him, the real power or the spotlight of power?

I think that assumes that Scalise would go for this. Would her? I'm not so sure.

[novemberslady]

I agree that Steve Scalise would be a good choice.

[CedarDave]

Vote #14 scheduled for 10 p.m. Friday night.
That’s right the house adjourned until late tonight. This was the vote to adjourn the Pubs wanted so McCarthy may have Buck back from Colorado and one additional vote in his pocket. Also, one or more Dems may have left and may not be present.