For some reason Republicans really want this guy who is absolutely, 100%, not running a $4.5 million taxpayer-funded political show trial against Hillary Clinton to be in charge of, well, everything. Crazy, right?
Republicans want Trey Gowdy to be Majority Leader.
(A humble position for a very non-partisan public servant.)
Gowdy would reportedly be willing to serve as ACTING Majority Leader. @ChadPergram: Fox has learned that Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) would be willing to serve as ACTING Majority Leader should GOPers deadlock & McCarthy advance.” [9/28/15, 10:01 PM]
Rep. Chaffetz: “I think Trey Gowdy as the majority leader would be heaven sent.” “House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) is urging Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) to run for majority leader — a move that would complicate an already tough contest between two red-state conservatives. ‘Trey Gowdy is the best person to unite our conference and articulate the Republican message,’ Chaffetz wrote in an email to The Hill Tuesday morning. ‘He is widely trusted and beloved in our conference.’… Gowdy, a former federal prosecutor who was swept into Congress in the 2010 Tea Party wave election, would be a polarizing leader in a presidential election year. He is chairman of the special House committee that is investigating the 2012 terror attacks in Benghazi, Libya, and has expanded the probe to include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails…. Chaffetz said he has recently spoken to Gowdy, who is open to running for the No. 2 job in leadership. ‘I actually think he’ll do it if we get behind it and support it,’ Chaffetz said on Fox News Tuesday morning. ‘But I think Trey Gowdy as the majority leader would be heaven sent.’” [The Hill, 9/29/15]
Colleague said he believed Gowdy is making moves to mount a campaign for leader. “One conservative lawmaker said he believes Gowdy is making moves to mount a campaign for leader. But the lawmaker warned that a Gowdy bid sounds like a strategy hatched by McCarthy. ‘I think it is a McCarthy ploy to surround himself with somebody who the base likes but who is no threat to McCarthy,’ the conservative lawmaker wrote in a text message. ‘I could back [Gowdy] for Speaker. As majority leader, he would be a pawn of leadership.’” ” [The Hill, 9/29/15]
They want him to be Speaker of the House.
(Okay, wait a minute…)
Rep. Walter Jones endorsed Trey Gowdy for Speaker of the House. “Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), an outspoken Boehner critic, said in a local radio interview he didn’t think Gowdy would be willing to take on Boehner, but added: ‘If he offered himself, I would be willing to support him.’… In the radio interview, which was flagged by BuzzFeed, Jones said a group of 16 to 18 House Republicans were plotting to oust Boehner during the public floor vote. But with Boehner’s historic 247-seat majority next year, his detractors would need at least 30 votes to force a second ballot.” [The Hill, 12/18/14]
Fox News’ Sean Hannity said Trey Gowdy was his top choice for Speaker of the House. “Fox News host Sean Hannity, also a nationally-syndicated radio host, tells Breitbart News exclusively that he thinks Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) should challenge Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) for the Speakership of the House. ‘The American people need bold inspiring solutions to reverse the damaging policies of the President and his party,’ Hannity said in an email. ‘This is not a time for half measures. It’s time for new dynamic leadership in the House of Representatives. Trey Gowdy is my choice for speaker. He has the ability to articulate and implement the changes needed to get the country on the right path.’” [Breitbart, 12/30/15]
The Tea Party Leadership Fund PAC created draftgowdy.com to build support for Trey Gowdy to be Speaker of the House. “More than 100,000 patriotic Americans have already called for a conservative to lead the House of Representatives — our last line of defense against Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. Will you join the call to draft Trey Gowdy to be the next Speaker of the House – replacing John Boehner who has too often compromised and capitulated to with Barack Obama?” [draftgowdy.com, accessed 9/22/15]
The Conservative Tribune supported the movement for Trey Gowdy to become Speaker of the House. “Chances are slim that Gowdy will become the next Speaker, unless there is a large grassroots push for it. Boehner has angered much of the conservative grassroots, as he is viewed as being too willing to compromise with Obama and the Democrats. Trey Gowdy is well known for standing strong on principle, despite the direction the mainstream media or public opinion are going. Trey Gowdy would make an excellent Speaker of the House, and would return the House GOP to a strong position standing firm on ideological principles. However, his in-state colleague, Senator Tim Scott, thinks Gowdy would better serve the nation as a Supreme Court Justice someday.” [Conservative Tribune, 9/18/14]
A petition on petition2congress.com called for Trey Gowdy to replace Speaker Boehner. “We the people would like to respectfully request that you remove John Boehner R-OH 8th District from the office of Speaker of the House due to His inability perform the Duties required of him by his constituents. We understand that Mr. Boehner is a very nice person and that is exactly why we make this request. We need a Leader, not a Friend. We would like to request that the Honorable Trey Gowdy R-SC 4th District be sworn in as speaker of the House of representatives [sic].” [Remove John Boehner as speaker and replace him with Trey Gowdy,” petition2congress.com, accessed 9/22/15]
A change.org petition called for Trey Gowdy to be selected Speaker of the House. “We The People Want Trey Gowdy As Speaker Of The House We the People deserve a competent leader in the position that is currently held by a very inept person and this needs to be changed now so we can Restore America & stand up to the President & his Socialist Agenda. Now is the time for real change. Now is the time for Trey Gowdy!” [We The People Want Trey Gowdy As Speaker Of The House, change.org, accessed 9/22/15]
They want him to be President.
(Presumably after a couple months as Speaker under his belt.)
Conservative Post: When Trey Gowdy uncovers the Obama Administration’s role in Benghazi and derails Hillary’s 2016 candidacy, “Gowdy will rise to the top of everyone’s list of presidential candidates.” “Conservatives are well aware of Gowdy’s talents and abilities. And when the committee gets up and running, Gowdy is going to be a national presence almost EVERY night; and yes, the MSM will be forced to carry it. I trust he will be able to uncover, and prove, the complicity of the Obama administration in the Benghazi tragedy, and in the process derail Hillary’s 2016 candidacy. When this happens, Gowdy will rise to the top of everyone’s list of presidential candidates. And Gowdy would be superb on the campaign trail.” [Conservative Post, 2015]
They want him to be Vice President.
(Why not both?)
Daily Caller opinion: “Among South Carolinians likely to appear on the national ticket, Graham ranks no higher than fourth — after Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, and the indispensable Congressman Trey Gowdy.” “Perpetually imagining himself one speech away from political superstardom, Graham has apparently extrapolated his ability to cling to the GOP Senate nomination in the most Republican state to the belief that he has a national constituency. Even among South Carolinians likely to appear on the national ticket, Graham ranks no higher than fourth — after Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, and the indispensable Congressman Trey Gowdy.” (Emphasis mine) [Theo Caldwell opinion, Daily Caller, 3/18/15]
Red State Member Diary: Trey Gowdy’s Select Committee will “derail Hillary’s 2016 candidacy,” and “Gowdy will rise to the top of everyone’s list of VP candidates.” “When the committee gets up and running, Gowdy is going to be a national presence almost EVERY night; and yes, the MSM will be forced to carry it. I trust the committee will be able to uncover, and prove, the complicity of the Obama administration in the Benghazi tragedy, and in the process derail Hillary’s 2016 candidacy. When this happens, Gowdy will rise to the top of everyone’s list of VP candidates; indeed, there is not one potential GOP contender that he would not make better. And Gowdy would be superb on the campaign trail.” [Red State Member Diary, 5/2/14]
They want him as Attorney General.
(Justice is blind. Ambition can be blind too. But not Trey Gowdy’s. That’s why he’s the man for the job.)
Donald Trump said he would select Trey Gowdy to be Attorney General in his administration. “In a surprise move presidential contender Donald Trump announced his pick for Attorney General naming Congressman Trey Gowdy to replace the lackey Loretta Lynch who replaced Obama lap dog Eric Holder. No word on whether Rep Gowdy has been consulted or approached but Trump continues to show his political and media savvy. This is his tweet from 27 July. @realDonaldTrump [email protected] : @HillaryClinton’s toast. Dems had better get the ‘B Team’ off the bench. @TGowdySC for Attorney General under President Trump.’” [Tea Party Tribune, 7/30/15]
- The Conservative Tribune endorsed Donald Trump’s selection of Trey Gowdy for Attorney General if elected. “While Gowdy didn’t get that job, it might be even more satisfying seeing the South Carolina bulldog at Eric Holder’s old desk, prosecuting all of those Democrats let slide during the Obama administration… Trey Gowdy as attorney general? Sarah Palin in the cabinet, as well? If you’re a good, patriotic conservative, it’s like Christmas in July!” [Conservative Tribune, 7/30/15]
Red State Member Diary: “I do look forward to him becoming Attorney General in 2017 under a conservative President.” “Hopefully everyone can now agree that Trey Gowdy is not the best choice for President or Speaker in the future. Unless you think the establishment needs to remain in charge. But I do look forward to him becoming Attorney General in 2017 under a conservative President.” [Red State Member Diary, 1/6/15]
Maybe a quick pit stop on the federal bench.
(More a formality than anything else.)
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott said Trey Gowdy should be a federal judge and then Supreme Court justice. “And now, Scott is one of Gowdy’s biggest boosters. ‘I think he would tell you that the best job he’s ever had is being a prosecutor,’ Scott says. ‘I think I could change that if we were able to make him a federal judge. That would be the best job he’s ever had. And after he becomes a federal judge, I assume he’ll be a Supreme Court justice before he’s 65 or so.’” [National Review, 3/6/14]
They want him on the Supreme Court.
(When someone is this non-partisan, this dogged in pursuit of the truth, why stop at just two branches of government?)
Lindsey Graham Said He Would Nominate Trey Gowdy for the Supreme Court Mulitple Times
In February, Lindsey Graham said he would nominate Trey Gowdy for the Supreme Court. “When it comes to Supreme Court justices, if I get to be president, I would nominate Trey Gowdy. And I would expect Democrats to vote for him because he’s a qualified person. I thought Sotomayor and Kagan, while I would not have chosen them, were very qualified candidates to be picked by a Democratic president. So, I’m very comfortable that I’m in the mainstream of conservatism.” [CBS Face the Nation, 2/1/15]
Lindsey Graham told the Des Moines Register editorial board that he would nominate Trey Gowdy for the Supreme Court. “South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham is lagging far towards the back of the pack in this year’s crowded field for the Republican presidential nomination, but he’s already got his first Supreme Court nominee picked out: fellow Palmetto State lawmaker Trey Gowdy. In a meeting Wednesday with the Des Moines Register’s editorial board, Graham said, he’d like to make his first justice a qualified lawyer ‘with real world experience’ rather than a career jurist. He suggested ‘a guy like [Representative] Trey Gowdy.’” [Bloomberg, 7/1/15]
- The Conservative Tribune endorsed Lindsey Graham’s suggestion that Trey Gowdy should be on the Supreme Court. “In a meeting Wednesday with the Des Moines Register’s editorial board, Graham made the comment that he’d like to make his first justice a qualified lawyer ‘with real world experience’ rather than a career jurist. Gowdy certainly fit that description. A three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gowdy, 50, has been in the spotlight on Capitol Hill several times lately…While Graham may be a little premature in picking his first Supreme Court justice — and we’re not sure that serving as a politician constitutes ‘real world’ experience — whoever the next U.S. president is would do well to consider his suggestion. One can only imagine how the latest Supreme Court decisions might have turned out differently had Gowdy been on the bench.” [Conservative Tribune, 7/2/15]
At a September meet and greet in Iowa, Lindsey Graham again stated Trey Gowdy should be put on the Supreme Court. “LINDSEY GRAHAM: So I’m going to tell you exactly what I think. I think John Roberts is a great judge of which I disagree with one case. I think he’s the most qualified man I’ve ever met to be on the Supreme Court. I led [crosstalk]. Yeah I disagree with that one case. I’m telling you now that I think he’s qualified, I’m glad I voted for him, and I thought it was the best pick the president could have possibly made. Number two, Hillary Clinton if she’s president is going to pick people we never agree with. If I’m president I’m going to pick a conservative judge and I’ll accept their good decisions and understand they may not always agree with me. You know Trey Gowdy? Put him on the Supreme Court. It is about the future. It is about who picks the next judges and God knows their important.” [Lindsey Graham Meet and Greet in Indianola, IA, 9/18/15]