This is as about as cryptic as you can get.
On the heels of Paul Ryan’s shocking announcement that he’ll be retiring at the end of this congressional session, speculation in Washington over the next Speaker of the House abounds.
The two frontrunners most likely to replace Ryan are House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. It’s unclear if either has a clear shot at the Speakership, however.
But here’s something interesting: Outgoing lawmaker Trey Gowdy just dropped a big reminder about the role of Speaker of the House.
Via the Daily Caller:
After calling Ryan the “smartest kid in the class” and wishing him his wife and their three children “all the best,” the South Carolina Republican addressed “those within Congress who always seemed to have a better idea or a smarter strategy, now is your chance to run for Speaker.”
“To those outside of Congress who always seemed to have a better idea or a smarter strategy,” he added. “You do not have to be a member of the House to be Speaker of the House and hence, now is your chance to run for Speaker.”
YES, Trey Gowdy reminded everyone today that you don’t have to be in Congress to run for speaker
“NOT A CHANCE,” his office tells me when asked if that means he’s running for Speaker after leaving Congress at the end of his termhttps://t.co/MarZkBJwX6 pic.twitter.com/6EEJIkHqAB
— Christian Datoc (@TocRadio) April 11, 2018
Gowdy immediately silenced any speculation that he would run for Speaker of the House. But his point was made: anyone can hold the position. It’s up to the House of Representatives to decide.
The question should be asked: Why did Gowdy bother pointing this out in the first place?
Inquiring minds would sure like to know…
What do you think? Was Gowdy hinting at something? Tell us your thoughts below!
