Tara Palmeri: “Indeed, everyone is now looking for smoke signals from Scalise’s office. My sources on the Hill were stirring after hearing that Scalise called McCarthy ally Jason Smith into his office this afternoon. Smith is a vocal proponent of McCarthy and the kind of ‘Only Kevin’ that Scalise would have to win over to make this work. Also, Smith has his eye on leading the powerful Ways and Means Committee.”
“One source heard Scalise was calling Smith in to tell him to deliver the message to McCarthy that time is up, and he needs a chance to run. Scalise’s spokesperson acknowledged they met but said the conversation was about committees and unrelated to the speaker vote.”
Smith also denied it: “Absolutely not, that’s a complete lie. Someone is lying. That was never discussed.”
“There is one thing we know for sure: D.C.’s High Holy Day, or 2 p.m. on Thursday, is approaching. It’s the hour when jet fumes call members back to their districts and when real conversations happen.”
