On Wednesday’s episode of Fox News show “Hannity,” host Sean Hannity and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) shared a tense exchange over her opposition to Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) repeatedly failing bids for House speaker.
Hannity appeared to suggest Boebert and her allies in the Republican caucus were arbitrarily trying to torpedo McCarthy’s campaign for 218 congressional votes.
“Let me turn the tables, congresswoman,” he said. “Kevin McCarthy has 202–3 votes. Your side has 20. So, if I’m going to use your words, and your methodology, and your math, isn’t it time for you to pack it in and your side to pack it in, considering he has over 200 and you have 20?”
“Sean, I understand the frustration, I promise you,” answered Boebert.
“I’m not frustrated,” Hannity replied. “You didn’t answer any question. I’m not frustrated.”
“And we are hearing from many people who are still voting with Kevin McCarthy who are very supportive of what we’re doing,” the congresswoman continued. “And they’re cheering us on. So, there are more for us than there are against us. And they are waiting for Kevin to cave. You know, the American people are certainly frustrated.”
“You’re not answering my question,” declared an agitated Hannity. “Congresswoman, I’m frustrated by you not answering a direct question. You said to President Trump, you said earlier today that President Trump needs to tell Kevin McCarthy – you don’t have the votes.”
Conservative activist “ALX” shared a video of the exchange online, commenting, “Hannity is insufferable.”
Hannity is insufferable.@LaurenBoebert: “I will not withdraw” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cbmq17VSNz
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) January 5, 2023
McCarthy’s chances of ultimately taking the position appear to be dwindling by the day; the longtime member of Republican Party leadership reportedly did not receive enough votes for the coveted position after a 10th attempt.
This marks the first time such an event has occurred in 100 years. The last time a speaker election was seen taking more than one ballot was in 1923, The Washington Post reports. It was back then when Speaker Frederick Gillett (R-MA) was selected for the position on the ninth ballot, a threshold McCarthy has already proven unable to meet.
