President Trump reportedly expressed to his close allies that he does not support House Whip Tom Emmer’s bid for Speaker of the House. Emmer announced his intention to run for Speaker after Jim Jordan’s bid was thwarted by GOP RINOs in a secret vote. These RINOs refused to vote publicly against Jordan, fearing potential primary challengers if they did so. Jim Jordan is widely regarded as one of the most popular Republican lawmakers in Washington DC, making the RINOs’ actions a betrayal to him.
Politico reported that President Trump’s lack of support for Emmer could pose a significant obstacle to Emmer’s campaign for Speaker. Emmer had privately expressed his interest in the position and had received an endorsement from former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. However, Trump’s opposition could prove detrimental as candidates for the Speaker position can only afford to lose a limited number of votes to secure the position.
The House of Representatives has been without a Speaker for over two weeks ever since Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate the chair. In a 216-210 vote, Kevin McCarthy was ousted as House Speaker earlier this month, with eight Republicans choosing to vote against him. Following a secret ballot, McCarthy endorsed Tom Emmer for Speaker, solidifying Emmer’s position as the front-runner in the race. Emmer, currently the No. 3 House Republican, immediately gained significant support for his nomination.
Former Speaker McCarthy expressed his endorsement of Emmer, highlighting his belief that Emmer is the right person for the job. McCarthy believes that Emmer has the ability to unite the conference and understands the dynamics needed to secure and maintain a majority. McCarthy’s endorsement serves as a significant boost for Emmer’s campaign.
While Emmer may gain several Democratic votes, it is important to note that he has faced criticism for his previous involvement with the National Popular Vote initiative, a George Soros-funded organization. Emmer worked as a paid spokesperson for the initiative, which aimed to overhaul the Electoral College by passing laws that commit state electors to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. Emmer’s support for this initiative has raised concerns among conservatives.
In a 2011 video interview with Pennsylvania public affairs firm Triad Strategies, Emmer expressed his belief that the National Popular Vote initiative would ultimately favor Republicans if they believed in its message. The Gateway Pundit even found a video of Emmer promoting the National Popular Vote, emphasizing his involvement with the organization.
In addition, Caroline Wren has suggested that voting for Emmer is equivalent to supporting Jack Smith’s investigation. This statement suggests that Emmer’s candidacy may have implications beyond the role of Speaker and could impact ongoing investigations within the House of Representatives.
Overall, Emmer faces a challenging path to secure the position of Speaker of the House, particularly with President Trump expressing his lack of support. However, Emmer has received endorsements from influential figures such as Kevin McCarthy, highlighting his potential to unite the conference and secure the majority needed for the position. Emmer’s previous involvement with the National Popular Vote initiative may pose a hurdle for him, but his campaign continues to gain momentum as he vies for the role of Speaker.
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