Can Liz Cheney Beat Trump For Presidency In 2024?

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McCarthy Dodges Inquiry About Backing Trump, Citing Ongoing Campaign

Kevin McCarthy, the previous Speaker of the House from California, avoided directly answering whether he would endorse the former President, insisting that the “campaign is still underway.”

During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker, McCarthy was probed about his hesitation to support Trump, to which he responded that the campaign was still active, and there was a high probability he would back Trump eventually.

Welker highlighted Trump’s significant advantage in the Republican presidential primaries, a consistent trend since the beginning, with competitors unable to come close to Trump’s popularity.

Despite Trump’s apparent lead, Welker queried McCarthy’s delay in endorsement, to which McCarthy replied that his current focus was on pressing issues such as the open southern border and conflicts in the Middle East. However, he expressed his conviction that Trump would likely be the Republican nominee and win the election, criticizing President Biden for instigating chaos.

When asked if he identified as a “MAGA Republican,” McCarthy emphasized his enduring conservative Republican identity, dismissing the need for any other specific labels and affirming pride in his political stance.

Post-presidency, McCarthy and Trump continued their positive rapport, with Trump being instrumental in McCarthy’s attainment of the Speakership earlier in January. Trump’s influence, both public and private, was a key factor among Republicans, especially considering the existing intra-party rifts.

However, these internal party disputes have recently escalated, culminating in McCarthy’s unprecedented removal from his leadership position, with a coalition of Democrats and some Republicans voting him out.

The quest for a new Speaker has intensified Republican infighting, as candidates grapple to secure the necessary majority of 217 votes. Representative Jim Jordan from Ohio, after three unsuccessful voting rounds, witnessed diminishing support within the party. Following a confidential ballot, the party decided to withdraw their support, making the Speaker’s race wide open with multiple contenders, setting the stage for an intense competition in the imminent future.