Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo

Caught Our Eye

Congress reacts to McCarthy's decision on Twitter, unites behind cynicism

Posted by Steve Shapiro on Oct. 9, 2015

Rep. Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) decision to drop out of the speakership race moments before the GOP vote shocked political observers and Congress alike. Twitter did not take kindly.

Throughout the day, tweets from congressional staffers gradually shifted from initial surprise to tolerant cynicism, eventually culminating in House of Cards references and nominations for Brett Favre and Don Rickles as the next speaker.

Spencer Pederson, legislative assistant, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)

"WHAT THE ACTUAL FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF is going on in the House right now?"

Nicole Hager, staff assistant, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

"It's days like today that I'm sad I don't work on the house side."

Jason Botelho, media relations coordinator, Senate Sergeant at Arms - Capitol Division

"Wait, so Kevin McCarthy met with the Pope yesterday???"  

Natalie Krings, communications director, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

"Safe to assume productivity has dropped significantly on Capitol Hill in the last 30 minutes. #McCarthy #House #speakersrace"

J.P. Freire, communications director, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

"Man, House Republicans won't even let Speaker Boehner resign."

Kim Conrad, legislative correspondent, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.)

"McCarthy: 'I don't want to get 220 votes...We've got to be 100% united.' Good. F---ing. Luck."

Dante Atkins, press secretary, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.)

"Everyone thought McCarthy was unbeatable. But then we created the Benghazi Select Committee, and look where his Speaker chances are now"

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)

"Music blaring in House gym "Another one bites the dust" as some of my GOP colleagues exercise. I suggested they consider another song."

Jason Galanes, deputy chief of staff/communications director, Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.)

"Surprise of McCarthy dropping out of Speaker race on level of @HouseofCards metro scene with Zoe. Hopefully not as equally foreshadowing"

Aaron S. Fritschner, staff assistant, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.)

"Urgent alert: there were other artistic portrayals of political machinations before Game of Thrones and House of Cards. Some are... better?"

Matt Wainwright, district representative, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.)

"@HouseGOP can't find anyone to be Speaker. Sounds like a job for an immigrant... #SpeakerSchwarzenegger #hellbeback"  

Jason Gagnon, communications director, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.)

"We need a constitutional amendment clarifying the Speaker MUST be a member of the House. It would eliminate half the nonsense in my feed."

Brian Rell, chief of staff, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.)

"Political irony: the only thing standing between a new Speaker vs continuation of Boehner as Speaker is House Freedom Caucus" 

Ric Andersen, second assistant superintendent, House Press Gallery

"Anything new going on in the House?"