GOP Rep Ken Buck Appears to be on the Fence About McCarthy, Tells Jake Tapper to ‘Stay Tuned’ On His Future Voting Plans Beyond the Fifth Round

U.S. House Rep Ken Buck (R-CO) appears to be on the fence about continuing to support U.S. House Rep Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for House Speaker.

In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Buck told Tapper to “stay tuned” on his future voting plans beyond the fifth round.

Buck told Tapper, however, that he would vote for McCarthy in the fifth round, the same as he has the other rounds and he did so.

Tapper concluded the interview by saying, “So this is the last time he can count on your vote, this ballot right now, the fifth one” to which Buck didn’t interrupt or correct him.

Buck also floated U.S. House Rep Steve Scalise (R-LA) as a potential consensus candidate during the interview while talking to Dana Bash.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) tells CNN that this was the last vote Kevin McCarthy could count on from him and that McCarthy needs to seriously consider stepping aside, suggesting Steve Scalise would be the best consensus candidate. pic.twitter.com/oxAUHcLpq7

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) January 4, 2023

Election expert Dave Wasserman reported on the fifth round of voting in a tweet, “Fifth ballot: total stalemate. No movement for/against McCarthy. Still 21 non-McCarthy R votes.”

Fifth ballot: total stalemate. No movement for/against McCarthy. Still 21 non-McCarthy R votes.

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 4, 2023

Once again, 20 GOP House members voted for U.S. House Rep Byron Donalds (R-FL) and one voted “present.”

U.S. House Rep Bob Good (R-VA), who opposes McCarthy, delivered a message in a tweet similar to one he made earlier in the day.

“If only McCarthy had shown as much tenacity in fighting Democrats and protecting Americans in the last two years as he has in his four failed votes to be Speaker the past two days,” Good explained.

Following the failed attempt by McCarthy, Good added in a quote tweet, “*Correction: five failed votes.”

*Correction: five failed votes. https://t.co/FjygK8aFDz

— Congressman Bob Good (@RepBobGood) January 4, 2023

GOP Rep Victoria Spartz Ditches Kevin McCarthy in the Fourth Round, Votes ‘Present’

Bob Good Drops Nuke: ‘If McCarthy Had Fought As Hard For the American People Over the Years As he has For the Speakership, We Would Be Having a Very Different Discussion Right Now’