As I’ve already mentioned, in Republican politics these days cannibalism is on the menu. Now, apparently, not only is it on the menu, but it’s the damn Early Bird Grand Slam Special. Of Political:
A top McCarthy ally, Brian O. Walsh, is overseeing an effort to recruit primary rivals to take on members of the infamous “Gaetz Eight,” the Capitol Hill nickname for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and seven Republicans who supported his fire-McCarthy push, according to six people familiar with the plans who were granted anonymity to discuss them. McCarthy’s revenge campaign is poised to rally the former president’s considerable network of donors on behalf of Republican primary candidates deemed strong enough to pose a credible threat to one of the eight. “These traitors chose to side with Nancy Pelosi, AOC and more than 200 Democrats to undermine the institution, their fellow Republicans and a duly elected president,” Walsh said in a statement. “There must be consequences for that decision.”
Oh, cut out all the AOC paranoia, will you? Put a sock in the argument that it was the Democrats who were somehow responsible for how the crazies went crazy and fired your boss. Just stick with pure, entertaining GOP crime. You owe a lot to the nation.
That quiet work shows that McCarthy’s appetite for revenge remains intense, even months after his ouster in October as president and his departure from Congress in December. It also illustrates that even out of office, the former president and his supporters can make life miserable for his detractors, a further sign that the GOP power struggle in the House of Representatives between hardliners and most conservative conservatives is alive and well. Walsh acts with McCarthy’s blessing. While the former spokesperson is not involved in the day-to-day work of the project, he is briefed on its progress, as are key donors, according to a person familiar with the effort who was granted anonymity to discuss it.
It’s hard to blame McCarthy. He really got scolded pretty badly, even though it was by people he voluntarily gave it to. This is old-school political vendetta, something those of us who cut our teeth in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives learned in our wasted youth. It’s actually quite refreshing to see politics being played out at this very fundamental level, rather than dealing with the conspiracy fantasies currently running through the heads of the people who ousted McCarthy.
“One of the most dangerous things you could do is have an untethered McCarthy,” said Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a former top lieutenant to the former president. “In terms of some of the people who have done stupid things in the last few months.”
The Untethered McCarthy, coming to the Abbey Theater in Dublin this spring.
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