Kevin McCarthy’s Bid for Speaker Just Got Complicated

Wall Street Journal: “Republicans’ weaker-than-expected performance in the midterms has complicated House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s path to becoming the next speaker of the House and created potential headaches if he does get the top job…”

“The GOP’s showing—after Republican officials and some forecasters had predicted a ‘red wave’—has fueled grumblings from colleagues about whether he is the right person to lead them, according to interviews with several lawmakers and GOP aides.”

Politico: “Kevin McCarthy’s fractious crew of pro-Trump conservatives is openly debating whether to back his speakership dreams as it pushes for major House rules changes.”

“How real of a rebellion the Freedom Caucus can muster when it has no alternative candidate yet, however, is another question entirely.”