The founder of Republican Voters Against Trump, Bill Kristol, is promoting a “doomsday scenario.” The goal is to get RINOs to work with House Democrats to thwart House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and former President Donald Trump as the next Speaker of the House.
He argues that Democrats should work with “decent Republicans” to obtain a “non-election denying” House speaker.
The writer and political activist claims to care deeply about American election integrity. Still, his comments attacking McCarthy are hypocritical and contrast with remarks he made supporting an insurrection when Trump took office. In February 2017, Kristol said, “Obviously strongly prefer normal democratic and constitutional politics. But if it comes to it, prefer the deep state to the Trump state.”
Obviously strongly prefer normal democratic and constitutional politics. But if it comes to it, prefer the deep state to the Trump state.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 14, 2017
Some conservatives believe that Kristol’s opposition strengthens McCarthy’s potential speakership position, calling him a “true advocate for an America First agenda.” While it’s true that the resistance the House Leader faces could boost his potential to win, information has recently been released about his FTX scandal involvement aiming to thwart America First candidates and potentially causing the disappointing midterm election results. If the allegations are true, McCarthy’s actions don’t align with the “true” America First advocacy narrative.
Kristol is not the first Republican to propose the ‘Doomsday Scenario.’ McCarthy came up with the scenario when he told House Republicans that if they did not rally behind him, he would vote for a RINO or a Democrat as Speaker. McCarthy needs to win 218 votes to win the speakership. However, the GOP expects a 222-213 majority, meaning it would only take 5 Republicans to kill the vote.
Many House Republicans have openly declared their opposition to McCarthy as speaker. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said that at least 20 voting members are “pretty hard nos” on McCarthy.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said he isn’t voting for McCarthy either. In a recent interview with Steve Bannon, Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) echoes Bigg’s claim about the amount of Republicans refusing to support the Californian. Good said, “there are more than enough of us who have resolved not to vote for him.”
