2022 Crookies Fail Of The Year: Kevin McCarthy, Leader Who Can't Lead

By Susie Madrak — December 31, 2022

We all know how badly Kevin McCarthy wants to be Speaker of the House -- but why? He won't really lead his caucus, he's embarrassingly transactional. How will he get anything done when he's promised so many different things to so many of his members? Even the Republicans who say they'll vote for him say they want to reserve the right to call another speaker election.

That's a real vote of confidence, there, Kevin! No one seems to like you:

Kevin McCarthy voted to reject the electors and to acquit Trump, tried to sabotage the proposed bipartisan Commission and then the House Select Committee, and has embraced fervent January 6th defenders.

This man should not hold the Constitutional office of Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/jGneGNmWJX

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) December 23, 2022

*Kevin McCarthy concludes a rambling 30 minute speech about the omnibus, Democrats, immigration, and congressional procedure*

Rules Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.): “After listening to that, it’s clear he doesn’t have the votes yet. I reserve my time.”

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) December 23, 2022

the big problem for House Republicans right now is that if Kevin McCarthy is elected speaker, it will be a trainwreck. And if he's not elected speaker, it will be a trainwreck.

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 23, 2022

Just thinking about how McCarthy thought he was playing 4D chess by refusing to participate in a bipartisan January 6 Committee to try and discredit it, only for it to become the most functional and productive committee in history.

Quite the master tactician, Kevin McCarthy.

— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) December 22, 2022

For a second straight day, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy wouldn’t answer questions about George Santos’ apparent discrepancies on his resume. He walked into the chamber in silence when we asked if he had any concerns about the matter.

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 23, 2022

18 Republican Senators, including Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, and John Cornyn, voted for the bipartisan spending bill, to prevent a shutdown until September 2023. Kevin McCarthy is promising revenge, by not approving any legislation they pass, IF he is the Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/McKcOHD4bH

— Tony 🌊 BlueWave 🇺🇸 (@TonyHussein4) December 23, 2022

McCarthy says that House Republicans will have congressional hearings at the border to force Democrats to travel there pic.twitter.com/nN3G2L0dNo

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 23, 2022

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