Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has struck fear in the heart of the Republican Party by calling for a “coalition government” in the House of Representatives.
Ocasio-Cortez suggested that, if Democrats could make a deal with House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-CA) to hand him the speaker job, then the Democratic Party could get “chairs of committees” in return.
“I do not believe that Kevin McCarthy has the votes,” AOC said.
“I believe that a lot of the opposition to him is very personal.
“I believe his leadership style is incompatible with a lot of Republican members and certainly the Democratic Caucus.
“So the question is, is there anyone in their caucus that can build that consensus?
“If there isn’t, McCarthy’s team may have to come to the Democratic Party?
“And, if that’s the case, then what would that even look like.
“It’s rather unprecedented? Could it result in a potential coalition government?
“Could we get Democratic chairs of committees as a result?
“I’m not saying necessarily that our party is signaling an openness just yet.
“But, really, it’s about the cards that are in McCarthy’s hands.
“And if he chooses to approach the Democratic Caucus, then that would be a negotiation, in and of itself, for a potential coalition government.
“But, again, this is very much an unprecedented time.”
AOC: I think what was important today was to send the message that we were united and that there would be no defections, that Democrats are here, we are not going anywhere — and if they want to play ball, we are open to that. pic.twitter.com/ECKHMOcIua
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 4, 2023
She said on Instagram:
“There is a very interesting quandary that Kevin McCarthy is in.
“He needs to get these votes somewhere if he wants to be speaker, and if he can’t get those votes from the House Freedom Caucus, he’s not going to become speaker.
“Unless he approaches the Democratic Party in order to enter into some negotiation.
“If this goes on, and on, and on, and the Republican Party has no speaker nominee, something has got to give.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is urging the GOP to back McCarthy, saying: “Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our great republican house members to vote for Kevin, close the deal, take the victory.
“And watch crazy Nancy Pelosi fly back home to a very broken California, the only speaker in U.S. history to have lost the ‘house’ twice.
“Republicans, do not turn a great triumph into a giant and embarrassing defeat.
“It’s time to celebrate, you deserve it.
“Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a great job – just watch.
“If republicans are going to fight, we ought to be fighting Mitch McConnell and his domineering, China-loving boss, I mean wife.
“The harm they have done to the republican party is incalculable.
“Today, he couldn’t be elected ‘dog catcher’ in Kentucky (sadly, he only won because of my endorsement, went up 21 points – sorry!).
“Take the victory and run,” he said.
