Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) withdrew from the race for House Speaker on Thursday afternoon, causing some to speculate whether Rep. Peter King (R-New York) might emerge as the next front-runner for the position vacated by John Boehner.
"He's a moderate Republican with strong ties across the aisle but also very close with Rep. Steve Scalise, who is very influential among House conservatives. Some Democrats have already told us they could support King," Newsday wrote in an email newsletter, concluding that "after a week of embarrassing results during which the Republican caucus can't find a leader on its own, a loud-talking New Yorker who's made quite a few friends in his day could walk away with the prize."
"With former vice presidential candidate and party star Rep. Paul Ryan saying don't call me, King is in a good post position," Newsday said.
King, a Boehner ally, said McCarthy’s sudden withdrawal sparked
further discord in the party, The Washington Post reported.
“It is total confusion — a banana republic,” King said, according to the Post. “Any plan, anything you anticipate, who knows what’ll happen. People are crying. They don’t have any idea how this will unfold at all.”
Two others being discussed for the position are
Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida and Jason Chaffetz of Utah, The New York Times reported.
Wisconsin Rep. Ryan said he would not seek the position.
“Now it is important that we, as a conference, take time to deliberate and seek new candidates for the speakership,” Ryan said. “While I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received, I will not be a candidate.”
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said the discord over the vote for House Speaker was indicative of a larger problem.
“We all fought hard to elect conservatives to Congress, but the campaign promises made weren’t kept — because they’re beholden to Wall Street, K-Street and the donor class. It’s time to elect a speaker who will lead Congress and do what we conservatives sent them there to accomplish,”
Huckabee said, according to The Washington Times.
Twitter users shared mixed view of a possible King candidacy for Speaker.
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