I have seen some of his public comments on TV.
In the beginning Gaetz never said that McCarthy was a “no go” whatever the cost.
What he said is that a few days maybe even a week of discussions was necessary in order to obtain guarantees in return. And he has now got some serious guarantees. But now Gaetz doesn’t seem to care about those guarantees anymore... now that he finally got them.
It’s not fair-play and honest to pretend you are willing to compromise, but in the end saying “Nah, I don’t care.”.
Gaetz should have said RIGHT FROM START that he never ever would accept McCarthy. But, he didn’t! That’s a political error, and bad communication.
Gaetz has been 10% opposed to McCarthy from day 1. You’re just trying to rewrite history to smear him. You lose.
Nov 14:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/kevin-mccarthy-wont-be-house-speaker-matt-gaetz
“There are definitely at least five people, actually a lot more than that, who would rather be waterboarded by Liz Cheney than vote for Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House,” Gaetz said about McCarthy.
Dec 9:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/29/mccarthy-house-speaker-republicans-opposed/
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.): Gaetz was the first one to come out against McCarthy hard, even long before the House GOP conference chose McCarthy as its leader and nominee for speaker. Gaetz said before the conference vote: “I’m not voting for Kevin McCarthy. I’m not voting for him tomorrow. I’m not voting for him on the floor.” Puck News went on to ask Gaetz whether there was any concession that could change his mind, and he reportedly responded with a flat “no.”
Gaetz has been 100% opposed to McCarthy from day 1. You’re just trying to rewrite history to smear him. You lose.
Nov 14:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/kevin-mccarthy-wont-be-house-speaker-matt-gaetz
“There are definitely at least five people, actually a lot more than that, who would rather be waterboarded by Liz Cheney than vote for Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House,” Gaetz said about McCarthy.
Dec 9:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/29/mccarthy-house-speaker-republicans-opposed/
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.): Gaetz was the first one to come out against McCarthy hard, even long before the House GOP conference chose McCarthy as its leader and nominee for speaker. Gaetz said before the conference vote: “I’m not voting for Kevin McCarthy. I’m not voting for him tomorrow. I’m not voting for him on the floor.” Puck News went on to ask Gaetz whether there was any concession that could change his mind, and he reportedly responded with a flat “no.”