Archives for September 13, 2023 at 6:41 am EDT

Playbook: “Sure doesn’t seem like it. For weeks, McCarthy’s inner circle privately talked about an impeachment inquiry as a sort of break-glass emergency measure that could mollify the right if the spending showdown went sideways.”

“Turns out that was wishful thinking. Just minutes after he announced the inquiry, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) went to the House floor to make the case for McCarthy’s potential removal, vowing to start ‘every single day in Congress with the prayer, the pledge and the motion to vacate’ if he doesn’t do the right’s bidding, and he isn’t alone.”

Punchbowl News: “McCarthy is pulled in one direction by the right of his conference, and another by the center. He’s often left trying to find a sweet spot in between the two.”

“The reality for the 58-year-old, nine-term McCarthy is that once he opens an impeachment inquiry, it’s almost guaranteed that House Republicans will impeach Biden. Remember, a sizable number of Republicans were ready to impeach before the inquiry even began. And once the House has begun the process, not impeaching Biden will look like a validation of the president to many rank-and-file lawmakers. That may be too much for McCarthy to control.”

Playbook: “Opening an inquiry then failing to follow through would be a major political boon to Biden — essentially, a tacit admission by the GOP that he’s innocent. And we wouldn’t be surprised if McCarthy uses that argument to squeeze moderates who currently see no evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors to back impeachment later on.”

Politico: The Biden impeachment’s known unknowns.