Republicans angry over Rosendale’s McCarthy vote before potential Senate run: ‘Disqualifying’
Montana Republicans and GOP Insiders Frustrated with Rep. Matt Rosendale’s Actions
There is growing frustration among Montana Republicans and GOP insiders towards Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) after he played a role in toppling Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as House speaker. This move has raised concerns as Rosendale considers running for Senate in Montana, potentially disrupting Republican leaders’ plans to support their preferred candidate, Tim Sheehy, in challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) next year.
Concerns Over Rosendale’s Ability to Function in DC
Some Republicans are questioning Rosendale’s ability to effectively operate in Washington, D.C. Erik Iverson, a former chairman of the Montana Republican Party, expressed his doubts, stating, ”The McCarthy stuff certainly shows that Rosendale has an inability to function well in DC. When you’re one of 4% of your caucus, and the other 96% disagrees with you, that doesn’t motivate voters to send you to Washington D.C. or give you a promotion to the Senate.”
Rosendale has been a source of frustration for establishment Republicans for months. He opposed McCarthy’s bid for speaker and contributed to a lengthy floor fight earlier this year. He has also voted against suspending the debt ceiling and caused disruptions in the House by rejecting procedural moves. His recent vote to oust McCarthy as speaker has further fueled the backlash against him.
Accusations of Personal Ambition and In-Party Fighting
Critics argue that Rosendale is more focused on personal ambition and in-party fighting than on solving problems. Iverson stated, “He aligned himself with Joe Biden in 2020 and prayed for Republican losses in the House, prayed for as tiny of a majority as possible.” This self-interest, according to Iverson, is disqualifying for Rosendale and will not sit well with Montanans.
Backlash from Senators and Conservative Groups
The backlash against Rosendale has extended to senators and conservative groups. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) criticized Rosendale’s prayers for Democratic victories and questioned whether God answered those prayers when Rosendale was defeated by Jon Tester in 2018. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) also expressed their disapproval of Rosendale’s actions and voiced support for Tim Sheehy as a true conservative candidate.
Club for Growth Withdraws Support
In a blow to Rosendale’s Senate aspirations, the conservative political organization Club for Growth withdrew its plan to support him in the race, instead praising Tim Sheehy as an “impressive candidate.” This withdrawal of support could significantly impact Rosendale’s chances in a Republican Senate primary.
Despite the criticism, Rosendale defended his vote to oust McCarthy, emphasizing the need to rely on Republican votes and expressing his commitment to advancing a conservative agenda. However, his actions have raised concerns among Republicans about his ability to effectively represent Montana in the Senate.
What concerns have been raised about Rep. Rosendale’s ability to effectively operate in Washington, D.C. and represent the interests of Montana in the Senate?
Montana Republicans and GOP Insiders Frustrated with Rep. Matt Rosendale’s Actions
There is a growing sense of frustration among Montana Republicans and GOP insiders towards Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) after his role in the toppling of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as House speaker. This move has raised concerns as Rosendale considers running for Senate in Montana, potentially disrupting Republican leaders’ plans to support their preferred candidate, Tim Sheehy, in challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) next year.
Concerns Over Rosendale’s Ability to Function in DC
Some Republicans are questioning Rosendale’s ability to effectively operate in Washington, D.C. Erik Iverson, a former chairman of the Montana Republican Party, expressed his doubts, stating, ”The McCarthy stuff certainly shows that Rosendale has an inability to function well in DC. When you’re one of the 4% of your caucus, and the other 96% disagrees with you, that doesn’t motivate voters to send you to Washington D.C. or give you a promotion to the Senate.”
Rosendale has been a source of frustration for establishment Republicans for months. His recent involvement in the removal of McCarthy from the position of House speaker has further fueled doubts within the party. The move to oust McCarthy was seen as a breach of party loyalty and a disregard for the Republican agenda.
Republicans in Montana are concerned over the potential consequences of Rosendale’s actions. With his Senate bid looming, they fear that his controversial stand against established party members may hinder their chances of winning the Senate seat. Tim Sheehy, the preferred candidate of Republican leaders, was expected to receive unified support from the party. However, Rosendale’s disruptive actions have damaged the party’s unity and raised doubts about his commitment to the party’s goals and values.
Furthermore, many Republicans question Rosendale’s effectiveness and ability to work in a bipartisan environment in Washington, D.C. The fact that he was part of the minority faction within the Republican caucus, with only 4% support, does not instill confidence in his ability to successfully represent the interests of Montana in the Senate. In a highly polarized political landscape, consensus-building and bipartisan cooperation are considered essential skills to effectively navigate the complex terrain of national politics.
While Rosendale may believe that his actions demonstrate his independence and commitment to the people of Montana, many Republicans see it as a betrayal of the party and its established order. They argue that his disruptive behavior undermines the unity and cohesion necessary to achieve meaningful change and advance conservative principles.
As the race for the Senate seat in Montana heats up, Republicans must decide whether they can support a candidate who has shown a willingness to defy party leadership and pursue his own agenda. The stakes are high, and the party’s ability to retain a seat in the Senate will rely on its ability to present a unified front and appeal to a broad range of voters.
While no official decision has been made regarding Rosendale’s Senate bid, the frustration and concerns among Montana Republicans and GOP insiders are palpable. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of the Republican Party in Montana and its ability to rally behind a strong and united candidate to challenge the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Jon Tester.
Ultimately, the future of the Republican Party in Montana depends on its ability to navigate these internal divisions and present a compelling vision for the future. It remains to be seen whether Rep. Matt Rosendale will be able to mend fences and unite the party, or if his actions will continue to sow discord and hinder the Republicans’ chances of success in the upcoming Senate race.
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