How Kevin McCarthy could lose the race for House speaker

The nominee will need to secure the majority of votes cast in the full chamber during the October. 29 vote. He was removed as a subcommittee chair after he voted against the speaker on trade, though he was reinstated later.

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, is supporting Chaffetz, Stewart’s spokeswoman, Allison Barker Leavitt, said Tuesday. “That doesn’t signal change”.

“Our team is strong and growing, and we look forward to having all of these elections take place as soon as our conference is ready”, Scalise spokesman Chris Bond said.

This is a critical moment for the GOP.

“Mr. McCarthy is very well-liked and rightfully so…”

Finally, the speaker must realize that the Republican Party is a conservative party – not a pale imitation of its opposition.

Others may also now feel they can be that messenger. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Jeb Hensarling of Texas, according to a senior House GOP source.

And Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, weighed in for the first time Tuesday on Chaffetz’s surprise decision to challenge House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for the speakership.

Rep. Trey Gowdy, the chairman of the House Benghazi committee who a few have suggested be drafted into the race, said the conference should get behind the victor at Thursday’s meeting.

What happens on the floor?

Over the past two days, Chaffetz has heightened his rhetoric about why he wants the House’s top post and about being a better candidate than McCarthy. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, McCarthy implied the committee could take credit for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton’s declining poll numbers. This means a speaker much more amenable to the idea of shutting down the government for, say, defunding Planned Parenthood.

Speaker Boehner and other leaders perpetuate the pay-to-play culture that permeates Capitol Hill, awarding chairmanships and committee spots on the basis of party fundraising, or as they euphemistically call it, “doing your work across the street” at the National Republican Congressional Committee. “I applaud his desires to serve and his commitment to the ideals of federalism”, he said.

So on Thursday, a secret-ballot election will be held among Republicans, but only for speaker.

The issue has sharply divided the House GOP conference in recent years, with hardline conservatives – like the kind that helped drive Boehner from office – arguing against such an increase.

His public blunder started conversations among members that were below the surface.

A day after announcing his candidacy for speaker, Chaffetz sought to present himself Monday as a new face who can unite the House. McCarthy promises he would listen and make changes.

“McCarthy supporter Rep Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, downplayed the controversy over the Benghazi comments, saying on ABC Sunday, it was a ‘tempest in a teapot” and wouldn’t ultimately affect the outcome of the leadership race.

If McCarthy loses, he’d keep his current job. Rep. Daniel Webster, a former speaker of the House in Florida, is also running.

“It should not be a top-down approach”, Chaffetz told reporters this week.

“I think it’s wrong to signal that you’re going to cave in the end”, Chaffetz said when asked about McConnell’s promise. “He’s too private and shy to be chummy or backslapping’ popular, but I think most Democrats even like, or at least, respect him”.

Both men are trying to show they’d be different than Boehner.

Many of these lawmakers sound reluctant to support McCarthy, who is Boehner’s deputy and has his support to become speaker.

“We are asking our activists to tell their congressman not to support Boehner 2.0 for speaker”, the group said.