Why speaker fight is about more than McCarthy

As Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become speaker stretched into another day with no resolution in sight, the sharp divisions and general dysfunction on display among House Republicans have made one thing clear: This standoff is about much more than just Kevin McCarthy. 

The California Republican, of course, is a big part of it. His decision to press forward with his speaker bid, despite lacking the needed votes to secure the gavel, has made the first 48 hours of the 118th Congress among the most chaotic in modern history. Twenty Republicans have rejected his candidacy, despite various promised concessions – essentially paralyzing the House, which has been unable even to swear in new members, let alone move on to things like committee assignments and legislative business. 

But the messy game of political chicken is also a tidy window into the internal dynamics currently roiling the Republican Party. Following a disappointing midterm election, Republicans are deeply, publicly divided over their own identity, the possible return of former President Donald Trump, and what they actually hope to accomplish in governing. Whoever wins the gavel