I suspect McCarthy has an agreement with a few Democrats to help him retain his position. IOW, he's still a spineless jellyfish.
1) Probably does have a deal, though if I'm a Democrat, why would I help this guy?
2) no argument on the spineless part, ever.
I saw a Tweet last night from a generally conservative commentator who basically said, "Why not just hand Hakeem Jefferies the gavel right now?"
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Although if I'm a D, I think, "Wow, we could really have some fun with Gaetz as speaker and his pardons," how often does "that slimeball is Speaker and we have to oppose that person" REALLY work? It's the "throw out the records at the Iron Bowl" myth applied to politics.
Didn't work with Tip O'Neill.
Didn't work with Jim Wright, who had to resign in disgrace.
Foley lost, but the Dems didn't lose the 94 House "because Tom Foley"
Didn't work with Newt Gingrich (GOP held the House in 96 despite all the "Gingrich-Dole shutdown" ads and in 98 despite an unpopular impeachment - and then Newt resigned)
Didn't work with Nancy Pelosi.
Yes, the opposition won control of the House but NOT "because Pelosi is Speaker and we all hate her."
The others weren't in power when their party lost control.