The man whose motion to vacate led to the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy appeared to give the former lawmaker a backhanded compliment when saying he'd be "terrific" at running the Republican National Committee.
"I fully endorse Kevin McCarthy for RNC Chair," Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wrote Tuesday night on X. "Kevin is well organized and a very high-revenue fundraiser. He will also be well-liked by the RNC Committee.
"The RNC Chair doesn’t make any policy decisions, set any agenda, or negotiate against Democrats, ever.
"Kevin would be terrific."
Gaetz's comment was in response The Calvin Coolidge Project writing that McCarthy was "a dark horse candidate" to replace Ronna McDaniel as RNC Chair.
McDaniel has discussed leaving her role with former President Donald Trump, with both agreeing to delay a decision until after South Carolina's Feb. 24 primary, two sources told The Associated Press.
Trump told Newsmax on Monday that McDaniel "understands" she should resign.
The former president is considering other candidates for the RNC job and has focused on Michael Whatley, the North Carolina GOP chairman, The New York Times reported.
South Carolina Republican Party chairman Drew McKissick also is among the candidates to replace McDaniel, CNN reported.
McKissick is the RNC's co-chairman. Party rules designate co-chairs of the opposite sex.
Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters could be another contender to replace McDaniel, according to multiple reports.
A new RNC chair would be determined by an election, and not by being named.
Should a new male chairman replace McDaniel, the role of co-chairwoman would then open up, the Times said.
Activist Laura Loomer has publicly opposed Jessica Patterson, the chair of the California Republican Party, for that position.
Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk has suggested that some Trump family members — such as Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law — could be potential picks for party leadership posts.
"Now more than ever, at the National and State Party level, the GOP needs people who are part of the MAGA Movement," Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday.
McDaniel is the niece of Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, a longtime Trump critic.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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