CNN's Jim Acosta spoke with Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) Sunday about the next steps Republicans must take to craft a budget deal in the 45 days left before the deadline of the latest continuing resolution (CR).
The fight between Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reached a new level on Saturday evening when McCarthy did a bait and switch to pass the CR when the far-right members were missing in action.
Now, Gaetz is preparing to hold his vote to vacate McCarthy from the Speaker's chair. When asked if he supports the McCarthy side or the Gaetz side, Good refused to answer. In fact, he refused to answer seven times.
First, Acosta began the interview by asking simply if Good was ready to abandon McCarthy.
"Well, I will just say that what we saw happen yesterday was a repeat of past failures by Republican leadership and frankly that is what January was about," said Good. "What I most spoke about back in January during the speaker contest is that we couldn't do what we've done the last 10, 15 years when Republicans had the majority which was to pass major spending billing with a predominant majority of Democrat votes and that is what happened yesterday."
The second time, Acosta hammered Good on his long-state opposition to McCarthy.
"So, I guess, you just haven't made up your mind yet, or what?" asked Acosta. He noted that Good has long been a McCarthy critic, so "why not say you're linking arms with Matt Gaetz and ready to oust him as speaker?"
"Well, this isn't about personalities or individuals," Good dodged again. "I wouldn't get into the hypotheticals about what other member may or may not do and this is a failure of Republican leadership and we can't be passing spending bills trying to get Democrat votes."
So, the third time, Acosta tried asking it another way: "Is there someone else you might be interested in as speaker?"
"Well, we'll cross that bridge if we get to it," Good dodged again.
The fourth time, Acosta interrupted Good saying that Republicans and most of the Freedom Caucus took the nation to the brink of a shutdown. He asked what was accomplished in the end. Good admitted he regretted what the Freedom Caucus conservatives did, but that McCarthy has not kept his promises.
Then, Acosta brought it up a fifth time. "So, it sounds like you're making the case for his removal."
"Speaker McCarthy fought through 15 votes to become speaker. I would like him to bring that same intensity to fight to cut our spending," Godd dodged again.
The sixth time, Acosta tried another way.
"Well, let me ask you this: it sounds like the speaker doesn't line up with your positions on all of those things because he was willing to cut a deal with the Democrats to avoid a shutdown. So, it sounds like he's not your guy? I guess I don't understand why not just come out and say it," he asked.
Good simply trashed McCarthy again. "That kind of performance is why I voted against him 14 times during the speaker battle. And this is a failure that directs back or validates the concern that we had back in January."
At the end of the interview, Acosta called him out on his refusal to say where he stands, only for Good to dodge the question for a seventh and final time.
"All right. Congressman Bob Good, thank you very much for your time. We never really got an answer on McCarthy. One last chance. Should he stay or should he go?"
Good's answer: "Well, I'm focused on us doing our job for the American people and if that takes place, we'll see what happens."
See the evasion in the video below or at the link here:
Republican dodges Jim Acosta 7 times asking whether he supports Kevin McCarthy or Matt Gaetzyoutu.be
