Democratic strategist James Carville demeaned Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as a “bowl of Jell-O” amid a government spending fight which has seen him feud more with his own party than Democrats.
“You know, when you elect a bowl of Jell-O, what you get is a bowl of Jell-O,” Carville said in an MSNBC interview Friday. “And it’s not gonna change. And the reason that they put him in there is because he was a bowl of Jell-O.”
The budget fights have pitted McCarthy against hard-line conservatives in his party as a government shutdown grows more likely. A shutdown would begin at midnight Sunday morning unless the House and Senate can pass last-second funding bills Saturday.
“I mean, at some level, I guess he’s a personable guy,” Carville said. “As a human being, in one sense, you have some sympathy for him. And then you think about how craven he is and you say, ‘Nah, I don’t feel sorry for him. To hell with him.’”
The fight has also brought McCarthy’s job into question, as the same GOP holdouts have floated proposals to replace him as Speaker.
“It’s amazing what these people put him through to retain power,” Carville continued. “But again, I think just like, cruelty is largely the point. I think they enjoy causing Kevin McCarthy pain. I do. I think these are very cruel people.”
The Senate passed a short-term funding bill Thursday, but attempts to do the same in the House have failed.
A government shutdown would shutter most government offices and services, including national parks, as well as force essential employees — including active duty military, border patrol and TSA agents — to work without pay.