Kevin McCarthy plays inside game in shadow campaign for Speaker
While House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) led a delegation of lawmakers to Europe and Africa over the Easter recess, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was back in Washington attending a small, private dinner with President Trump.
It was, perhaps, the most recent illustration of how McCarthy has been playing the inside game with Trump, ensuring that there’s little political daylight — or literal distance — between him and the president.
McCarthy and Scalise, the No. 2 and No. 3 House GOP leaders, respectively, have been vying for Trump’s affection as they quietly run a shadow campaign to replace Speaker Paul Ryan if the Wisconsin Republican suddenly quits Congress after the November midterm elections.
Some lawmakers predict Trump could be the deciding factor in who wins. While his approval ratings hover in the low 40s, Trump is enormously popular with House GOP lawmakers and the conservative base.
“That is the Trump card,” explained one GOP lawmaker who is neutral but has been closely watching the budding rivalry.
“I think one of them will get Trump to show some sort of support, and that’s the guy. Everything else is Plan B,” added a senior GOP aide. “If that works out, you’re set.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/382387-mccarthy-plays-inside-game-in-shadow-campaign-for-speaker?userid=229233
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