Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recalled his time in Congress on Tuesday and predicted the Republican Party's success in November.
Asked if he misses the chamber where he was removed as speaker in October, the Bakersfield resident responded: “Some days, yes. Some people don't.”
“I enjoyed every minute of every time I was in office. Good days, bad days,” McCarthy said during an interview with Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker at the Milken Institute annual conference in Beverly Hills. “The sad thing is that it's much more broken now.”
McCarthy continued his feud with Rep. Matt Gaetz, saying the Florida Republican engineered his impeachment solely to block a House investigation into his relationship with a teenage girl.
“That's what he wanted to stop and he's willing to risk the House for it, and the Democrats agreed. “He was successful,” he said, before adding that the effort underway to unseat his successor, House Speaker Mike Johnson, “is different.” This will not succeed.”
There is no obvious successor, McCarthy said. Republicans do not want to hurt their chances of maintaining control of the House, while Democrats want to avoid a government slowdown that would hurt President Biden.
McCarthy predicted Trump would win the White House in November due to President Biden's low favorability ratings, and named North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders as potential running mates.
“I think Trump will interpret this as 'Apprentice.' He's going to play. He will have you join Truth” Social, the former president's social media platform, McCarthy said. “He will make you follow him. And whoever you think is in the lead, someone will come from behind. It will be great television. And everyone will pay attention the day I announce it.”
