As the overhead lights dimmed in the House chamber on Wednesday

evening, beckoning those present to begin their commutes back to

apartments scattered across D.C., Republican Leader Kevin
McCarthy put on a brave face and chatted amiably with colleagues.

It had been a brutal two days. After six ballots and six nominating
speeches by oblivious colleagues and six opposing anti-McCarthy
speeches that wouldn’t have seemed out-of-place in a Parks and
Recreation town hall, McCarthy had failed to gain any movement against
a bloc of far-right conservatives who seemed determined to end his
dream of becoming Speaker of the House.