
WASHINGTON: US Republican leader Kevin McCarthy was a simple up-or-down vote from realizing his dream of becoming one of the country's top statesmen on Tuesday -- in a cliffhanger worthy of TV drama "House of Cards" that could as easily end with his career in tatters.
The California congressman is vying for the speakership of the House of Representatives and needs a simple majority -- 218 votes if every lawmaker shows up -- as the lower chamber of Congress opens for the new term.