GOP leader Kevin McCarthy failed in marathon voting Tuesday to become House speaker, a historic defeat with no clear way out as House Republicans dug in for a long, messy start for the new Congress.
To win the gavel, McCarthy needs a majority of the members-elect who are present and voting. But because the GOP holds only a five-seat advantage, a small number of defections is so far stopping McCarthy from gaining the office he’s long sought. The House can conduct no other business until a speaker is chosen.
This morning in WCOA, Roberts talked about our congressman, Matt Gaetz, has played a role in denying the speaker position to McCarthy.
“(Gaetz) has been basically saying no compromise, and he’s one of the key leaders,” Roberts shared. “I’m an analyst, right? I don’t judge people politically, but Gaetz is, is very typical of a certain kind of member of Congress who’s much more interested in his personal brand, much more interested in his Twitter following than anything else.”
He continued, “And he’s become a national figure, and he’s not the only one Social media has given someone like Gaetz an ability to connect directly to voters, not just in Pensacola, but around the country, and raise money from voters directly. He’s an independent agent.”
