He must balance the desires of a populist and emboldened right-flank with the needs of moderate and swing-district Republicans to build a majority coalition — an increasingly tough task, as exemplified by the recent retirement announcement of centrist Rep. John Katko of New York. He must ensure Republican infighting doesn’t distract from a struggling Biden presidency. And he must parry with the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack, which just last week requested to speak with McCarthy about his knowledge. (McCarthy quickly and publicly refused.)
Hanging over all of McCarthy’s moves is former President Donald Trump, the undisputed leader of the Republican Party to whom much of the House conference remains fiercely devoted and whose opinions of people can turn on a dime. And while no one has said they would challenge McCarthy for speaker — and few in the conference believe anyone could pose a serious threat — there is no shortage of ambitious politicians waiting in the wings should McCarthy stumble.
So McCarthy is getting serious, starting, for anyone who had previously missed it, with that pre-Christmas meeting.
“He shifted from friendly mode to ‘stop f***ing around and hurting the conference’ mode,” said the second GOP House member.
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