Page 11 - Pauld Ryan News Today

The Republican divisions posing problems for Representative Kevin McCarthy have been playing out not only on the House floor but also in his hometown, a red area of blue California.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and his backers didn't go the usual route of nailing down enough support before the House convened, forcing a messy and public scramble.

The Republican leader’s sheer willingness to endure vote after vote against him — even as he offered a slew of concessions — was moving closer to paying off.

The top Republican already had to work with a tiny majority and an emboldened right flank. Concessions he made to win his speakership gave the rebels more tools to sow disarray.

He proves willing to do what it takes to appeal to the hard right, even when it is embarrassing and transparent.

Twenty zealots — the product of a generation of GOP radicalism and dysfunction — held Congress, the Republican Party and the nation hostage this week.

The roots run deep that brought House Republicans to this week's demonstration of chaos and dysfunction. The problems have been building for years. Now they have been exposed for all to see - to see ...

WASHINGTON — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy surely could have seen defeat coming: The wave that swamped him has been building for years.

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy surely could have seen defeat coming — the wave that swamped him has been building for years.

In failing to coalesce around Kevin McCarthy for speaker, Republicans showcased divisions that portend real difficulties in governing.