What is the end game here? The holdouts have offered no realistic alternative for Speaker. I would expect Andy Harris of Maryland (Eastern Shore) and Matt Rosendale of Montana to shortly change their minds - this bit with Gaetz saying he will resign from Congress if a Dem is elected Speaker (which is likely if this carries on) is exactly why this appears so idiotic. He was elected to represent his district and do it effectively; whinging and stamping his feet will get his positions nowhere. We have the borderline majority in this country - once the Freedom Caucus has achieved most of its goals, we have one of the three branches of government to use to advance the interests of America, period.
VERY good question! I would've expected a Dark Horse to emerge by now. There are a number of people whom I think would make a better Speaker than McCarthy, but for various reasons (Coercion?) they have declined.
The media and the left would go into apoplexy if my choice: Donald J. Trump were to show interest and his candidacy gain steam