Kevin McCarthy's Failed Speaker Bid Marks New Low for Declining Role

Kevin McCarthy's removal as House Speaker marks a new low for the declining status of the role over time. He is the 5th Speaker since 2010, with recent tenures averaging just over 3 years.

The rule change allowing just 1 member to call a vote to remove the Speaker made McCarthy's ouster more likely. Past Speakers like Boehner resigned to avoid such votes.

Previous Speakers have met with controversy (Hastert), voter rebukes (Pelosi), or internal party coups (Gingrich). The last widely respected Speaker was Tip O'Neill in the 1980s.

Speakers have struggled to manage fringe elements of their party. Boehner, Ryan, and McCarthy alienated hardline conservatives, while Gingrich led partisan attacks.

The Speaker's power has waned over decades. McCarthy's fall continues this decline as internal divisions make the job more difficult.