It seems the first order of business for the House GOP leadership is to deal with Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney's fate as the third most-powerful Republican, with scores of angry Trump cultists in the caucus calling for her crucifixion after she indicated earlier this month that Donald Trump should be impeached.
The most immediate threat to Cheney — a push by Trump loyalists to oust her as conference chair — has gained momentum inside the House GOP, although the process is complicated and could still sputter out. But at least 107 Republicans, or just over a majority, have communicated to the leaders of that effort that they would support removing Cheney from leadership on a secret ballot, according to multiple GOP sources involved in the effort. Others are threatening to boycott future conference meetings if she remains in power.
And at least two members have privately signaled interest in replacing Cheney as the No. 3 Republican, sources say: Reps. Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin, two New Yorkers who both sprang to popularity in the party after fiercely defending Trump during his first impeachment.
If Cheney does lose her post, it will be the latest sign that the Trumpification of the Republican Party isn't stopping anytime soon, even after the ex-president flew off to Mar-a-Lago with a disgraced legacy in Washington. Some say the Cheney fight has already become a proxy battle for the heart and soul of the splintered GOP.
“She has proven that she is out of step with the vast majority of our conference and the Republicans across the nation,” said freshman Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), who is spearheading the resolution calling on Cheney to step down. “A lot of people within our conference have a problem with it.”
“There are other people who are absolutely interested in filling that void, I will tell you,” he added of potential Cheney replacements. “And they would have broad-based support.”
Long-simmering frustrations with Cheney — once a fast-rising star in the GOP — have spiked inside the GOP, especially among its right flank, according to interviews with over a dozen lawmakers and aides. Members are not only angry with her impeachment vote, but also furious that Cheney announced her position a day ahead — giving Democrats ample time to use her statement in all of their talking points, while also providing cover to the nine other Republicans who backed impeachment.
A compilation video of the multiple times Democrats and news media cited Cheney’s statement on impeachment has even been circulating in some GOP circles. As conference chair, Cheney is in charge of the party’s messaging efforts.
But several other senior Republicans think Cheney ultimately hangs on to her post, arguing most Republicans will have little appetite for creating more chaos in the conference at a time when the party is desperate to unite.
And behind the scenes, Cheney has been doing a bit of damage control: she has been making calls to all corners of the conference to hear lawmakers out and ensure the party is unified going forward, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
“Removing Liz as the Conference Chair when she did exactly what the Leader told all of us to do – vote her conscience – sends a bad message,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. “And I’ve spoken with many members of our Conference who have expressed their support for Liz and her leadership. I have confidence she will remain in her position and she has my support.”
While GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Republican Whip Steve Scalise (La.) have both said they want Cheney to remain in her job, McCarthy also told reporters Thursday that “questions need to be answered,” such as the “style in which things were delivered.” Members will have an opportunity to air those grievances at next week’s closed-door conference meeting, McCarthy added.
Cheney's biggest problem is the fact Kevin McCarthy has allowed this mess to get this far in the first place. Cheney going off on her own like this is a direct threat to McCarty's leadership, and everyone knows it. So either he keeps a capable lieutenant who's obviously gunning for his job, or he tosses her to the howling inchoate mob.
So now McCarthy and Cheney both have a choice. And as Mr. Miyagi once said:
Walk on road, hm? Walk right side, safe. Walk left side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later get the squish just like grape.
She can stay or she can go, but McCarthy needs to make a choice soon so he can remain the incompetent clown in charge and not be replaced by someone who might actually be able to organize the angry racist mob he runs.
McCarthy's going to have to show Cheney the door or he's going to lose his own leadership position, and it looks like all ten of the Republicans who voted for impeachment will be stripped of donors, and any local party help in surviving inevitable primary challenges starting this time next year. Maybe even committee positions.
No, McCarthy will fold. Trump will demand it eventually. And this is the Trump Racism party now and in the future.
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