So far, Tucker Carlson has not gone publicly after Emmer. A Freedom Caucus member supporting Banks said that “reinforced a concern” about Emmer’s conservative bona fides, in addition to his previous work for a group that pushed to abolish the electoral college. That vote wasn’t received well by the right wing of the party. Most members who say they won’t support Emmer continued to point to other reasons, like his voting record on social bills, including voting with Democrats and dozens of other Republicans to protect same-sex and interracial marriage. After all, Carlson has gone after GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and others in the party. Still, some members predicted Banks showcasing his strength with Trump world could counteract conference annoyance over the fracas - because some see an advantage in having a whip that could shield the more moderate lawmakers and other members of leadership from public attacks from the right. The NRCC typically doesn’t get involved in primaries, though some argued Cheney’s was a special case. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), a House GOP persona-non-grata over her Trump criticisms and role on the Jan. Rather, his souring view toward Emmer dates back to the National Republican Congressional Committee chair’s refusal to endorse Harriet Hageman in the Wyoming primary against incumbent Rep. also emphasized that his dislike of Emmer wasn’t triggered so much as escalated by the anonymous quote. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) during a news conference at the U.S. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.), left, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, right, listen to Republican Conference Chair Rep. Other members passionately disputed this view, arguing that Trump and his top allies are still major figures in their party and that maintaining inroads with Trump world remains important - and doing so benefits Banks. The majority of our conference is ready to move on past Trump.” “It is not that they have a problem with Trump. “You’re assuming that the majority of our conference wants to continue to kiss Trump’s ass,” this member continued. It may have helped him,” said one senior House Republican, who pointed to various times Tucker Carlson has created headaches for the Republican conference, like his take on the Ukraine invasion as well as legislation related to a Covid vaccine database. ally who also works for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, was recently hired to work on Banks’ new super PAC. The members who saw it as a political move felt bolstered by another connection they saw between Banks and Trump world: Andy Surabian, a close Trump Jr. Others simply suggested the pulse of the conference is moving away from the ex-president so the Trump world ties aren’t as important as they once were. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) jumped in to declare herself team Buckley Carlson, and two other Freedom Caucus members said Trump world’s alignment against Emmer reinforced their sense that Banks is the right choice for whip.įor some House Republicans of all persuasions who remain undecided, the kerfuffle underscored concerns about Banks: that he would sic Trump world on any member who clashes with him and his allies have distracted the conference from the midterms. Yet the pro-Trump group appears divided on the episode’s bigger impact. But it’s transparent, so likely ineffective.” Randy Weber (R-Texas), a Freedom Caucus member who praised the resumes of the three candidates in the race and added that “pretty much everybody’s gonna vote for who they think is the best person.”Īnother House Freedom Caucus member, speaking candidly on condition of anonymity about a leadership race that’s not formally underway until after Election Day, put it more bluntly: “It’s designed to hurt Emmer. “I don’t think members in the conference are going to be swayed by that kind of stuff, those reports,” said Rep. pushed back on the anonymous quote showcased Banks’ strength with Trump world.Ī significant number of GOP lawmakers, including a handful in the Trump-aligned House Freedom Caucus, shrugged off the quote and the surrounding drama as a non-factor in the race. That’s because the fierceness with which Carlson and Trump Jr. Just because multiple House Republicans say they smell a Banks-designed ploy, though, doesn’t mean he won’t get an edge from the brouhaha - even if indirectly.
0 kommentar(er)
