Rep. McCarthy: ‘I Just Think It’s Best We Have a New Face’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

MCCARTHY: “I think I shocked some of you, huh? Listen, we've been going through this campaign talking to a lot of members, but the one thing I've always said to earn this majority, we're servants. We should put this conference first. And I think there's something to be said for us to unite, we probably need a fresh face. I'll stay on as majority leader, but the one thing I found in talking to everybody, if we're going to unite and be strong, we need a new face to help do that. So nothing more than that. I feel good about the decision. I feel great to have my family here, my colleagues. I think we're only going to be stronger. We fought hard to win this majority and turn this country around. This will be the best footstep -- I messed that up.”

UNKNOWN MALE: “You said you were going to run for the speakership. Why change? What happened in those four hours?”

MCCARTHY: “We had our conference, and there were calls in to the district. I don't want making voting for speaker a tough one. I don't want to go to the floor and win with 220 votes. I think the best thing for our party right now is that you have 247 votes on the floor. If we're going to be strong, we have to be 100 percent united. And I think, you know what, let's put the conference first. [indecipherable] Look, look, we have been talking with a number of members. We've been thinking about this throughout the week trying to see if we can get there. I think it’s best we have a new face.”