SACRAMENTO, Calif. — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy weakened himself two years ago by calling out then-President Donald Trump for inciting the violent Capitol insurrection, then rushing to his golf resort to beg forgiveness.
That was the tipping point for the California Republican. It showed everyone — including future far-right opponents of his speakership — that he could be bullied into backing down. He had no hard and fast convictions. His words couldn't be trusted. He lost respect among allies and enemies alike.
That's how I figure it, anyway. And he disappointed some politicians, consultants and lobbyists who remember him as a trustworthy, straight-shooting Republican legislative leader in Sacramento.
