Cole A Compromise Candidate For Speaker Of The U. S. House?

Will Congressman Tom Cole be a compromise candidate for speaker of the House?

That’s the hot rumor today following yesterday’s abrupt withdrawal from the race by Kevin McCarthy of California.

He dropped out of the race to replace John Boehner as speaker, apparently because a small group of far-right members opposed him. He said the next speaker should have unanimous support in the Republican Caucus.

If that’s the case, Cole’s not likely the next speaker. Cole is regularly villified by members of the “grassroots” wing of the GOP in the state.

Cole, of the possible speaker candidates, has the most pervasive resume; he headed the Republican National Congressional Committee, has been a state senator, a secretary of state, state party chairman, and has a wide power base among GOP leaders in Washington.