House Democrat Shoots Down Kevin McCarthy’s Desperate Plea That He Change Parties So He Can Be Speaker

Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 02:55 pm

Rep. Kevin McCarthy is worried that he doesn’t have the votes to be elected Speaker of the House, so he tried to convince Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to switch parties, but Cuellar said no.

Politico reported:

Kevin McCarthy’s allies have attempted to sway at least one moderate Democrat to the GOP side of the aisle in recent days, according to a person with knowledge of the situation — a sign of desperation as he searches for the 218 votes he’ll need to become House speaker next year.

To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) has received calls from multiple people close to McCarthy, including one current and one former member, as the California Republican attempts to lock down support amid a burgeoning conservative rebellion, the person said. Cuellar repeatedly rejected the idea.

There is a looming coup brewing against McCarthy, who several Republicans want to punish for not delivering the red wave that he promised. Interestingly, one of those people is reportedly not Donald Trump, who is counting on McCarthy being Speaker as part of his effort to steal the 2024 election after he loses.

Kevin McCarthy needed a big red wave to be elected Speaker with ease. McCarthy is very unpopular among the far right wing of his caucus, and they would love nothing more than to deny him the speakership.

McCarthy has apparently cut a deal with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene because she went on Steve Bannon’s podcast on Monday and argued for him to be Speaker.

If Rep. McCarthy is already asking Democrats to change parties and save him, he must feel like he doesn’t have 218 votes.

The door may also be open for a group of breakaway Republicans, like three, to join with Democrats and appoint their own Speaker, which would a total disaster for the Republican Party.

Kevin McCarthy is already getting desperate, as Republicans haven’t taken back the House yet, but he is already in danger of not being the next Speaker of the House.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association