Unrest Swells Among McCarthy’s Backers

Playbook: “There’s been wall-to-wall coverage of the 20 anti-McCarthy rebels. But as the GOP leader faces down what will likely be his 12th failed bid for the gavel today, the story is about to shift to McCarthy’s increasingly tenuous support network.”

“Now, days into this protracted speakership standoff, with little to show for the mountain of concessions McCarthy has given conservatives, some of those supporting his bid are privately getting frustrated — and think he might need to consider calling it quits.”

A key takeaway: “Some members are privately angry that McCarthy is empowering hard-liners with rules changes to the point that they worry it will be difficult, if not impossible, to govern. There’s also concern about policy commitments he’s considering for the far right, including a vote on steep budget cuts that defense hawks will never swallow.”