In the Capitol during the dramatic, dysfunctional and “considered” moments that led to Kevin McCarthy winning the House of Representatives

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) finally won the speakership early Saturday morning, but not after a week of toiling through tantrums, animated rallies and, in the penultimate drama before his moment of victory, a near-fight.

In the room, many reporters rose from their chairs in the press box as McCarthy walked down the aisle to meet Rep. talking to Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the only one he needed to win a majority, while McCarthy’s allies sat and squatted. off to plead with the dissident. “On your knees,” one Democrat said loudly as other lawmakers began to focus on development.

Voices soon rose. Gaetz pointed his finger at McCarthy, and McCarthy’s face was completely frustrated. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) walked over and, in a moment that will live forever in the annals of House Speaker votes, began lashing out at Gaetz before being joined by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC).

Gasps could be heard on the gallery floor, and for a moment it looked like the confrontation would escalate into something akin to the shoving that sometimes breaks out during an NFL game. Rogers was dragged away and a furious McCarthy went back to say something to Gaetz. “Stay civil,” one lawmaker is heard saying.

“Mrs. Clerk, I rise to say ‘Wow,'” said Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) later said while nominating Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the vote moved to the 15th and final ballot.

Viewers saw the drama and mess, largely thanks to C-SPAN having much more freedom to capture candid moments among lawmakers.

But before and after the near-fight, McCarthy and his allies were already preparing to explain the week-long speaker vote, fueled by the slim majority of the GOP, as part of the sometimes chaotic but necessary spectacle of governing. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), a Republican who switched his support to McCarthy on Friday, said it was the “legal process of deliberation” that might not have happened in more than 100 years.

“I know a lot of you said, ‘Oh, the dysfunction. The chaos.’ On the other side. There is nothing messy or dysfunctional about members having legitimate conversations and disagreements,” Donalds told reporters today.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), another standout, told reporters after McCarthy’s victory: “Obviously things got a little tense during the vote. Everybody made their own decisions.”

McCarthy’s ability to pull off a victory came as a surprise to doubters on the left and right. There were many times during the week when his ratings were written off or television pundits predicted it was only a matter of time before an alternative scenario emerged. For a short time after the crash on the ground, he sat in his chair looking completely dejected as Republicans were suspended until Monday. Then there was a scramble to reverse the vote and keep the Congress in session in the throes of death, while he and his allies learned of a new scenario to get him over the top.

As much as Republicans reveled in McCarthy’s victory, dysfunction permeated television images all week. The house did not work much of the week.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said his office can’t hold an inauguration this week because he technically hasn’t been sworn in for another term. It also meant that he did not have security clearance and could not make an appointment with Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

These temporary interruptions can be quickly forgotten as the mood indicates that more bitterness is to come. There will be a congressional debate on raising the debt ceiling, which is expected later this year. Although the exact language has not yet been released, there are reports that McCarthy, in his concessions to the far right, agreed to a scenario in which the House GOP would not make a “clean” increase in the debt limit without other concessions such as as spending cuts. Republicans say they are frustrated with the practice of pushing through massive bills to avoid government shutdowns, most recently the $1.7 billion omnibus, but the Trump era has had its fair share of overnight legislation. Rep. However, Pete Aguilar (D-CA) predicted “splitting” and “default,” perhaps not just the prospect of government shutdowns, but also Wall Street’s fears about the government’s full confidence and creditworthiness.

Other scenes throughout the week weren’t quite as disturbing, but reflected traditions old and new. In the hallway outside the press box, the smell of cigar smoke wafted from the office of Tom Cole, the new Rules Committee chairman, reminiscent of the norms of a century ago. On the floor during the week was the face of Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) carrying his infant baby across the floor.

Other characters seem to be making new statues in the new GOP establishment. Earlier this week, Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) complained to reporters that it was a small minority of the faction that was clinging to the majority. She chided the group for being on the “Never” team, as in the “Never” Kevin caucus, and seemed to deflect criticism from Non-Trumpers that she has her own history of extremism.

Even as McCarthy claimed victory, there is much skepticism about how long it will last, in a political and fundraising environment that rewards social media presence, viral moments and anti-establishment fervor. Some lawmakers missed the appeal because they were busy talking on the floor and setting up cameras just outside the House of Representatives chamber.

When the holdovers switched votes earlier Friday and revived McCarthy’s speaking bid, his supporters erupted in applause. Adam Kinzinger, the former Republican congressman who recently signed on with CNN, wrote on Twitter: “Strange to see Republicans cheering and clapping for those who made their lives hell. So, lesson to future members, don’t be a team player.”

Kinzinger, who was shunned by other Republicans when he and Liz Cheney joined the committee on Jan. 6 from the last convention, also noted the auspicious day for speaker votes: the second anniversary of the attacks on the Capitol. Several of the McCarthy dissidents now apparently on board have been among the most vicious defenders of Trump’s false claim that the election was stolen from him.

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) missed the first roll call just after noon. When his name was called again, he played on the drama of it all: He walked down the center aisle of the room, nodded his head, and said McCarthy’s name. He was loudly applauded. Although he two years ago tweeted,” Biden would have to admit. I want his license on my desk in the morning.” The committee of January 6 of the last congress is dissolved; The new Congress promises a new set of investigations, McCarthy said, including “weaponizing the FBI.”

The next few months, maybe even the next few weeks, will decide whether the next few scenes are going to be deliberative or dysfunctional – or maybe it’s in the eye of the beholder.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Donalds was asked why he is running for Congress in 2020. “To be honest, I didn’t want to come here. I knew and I heard about the dysfunction of this place,” he said before deciding to run.

Then a reporter reminded him that he had just berated reporters for calling Congress “dysfunctional.”

“That was before I came here,” Donalds said.

Shortly after Congress adjourned, as 2 a.m. ET approached, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), who was only sworn in as the youngest member of Congress at age 25, said, “I’m just glad we’re behind us. have a back. There are real implications for this type of thing .I know it’s entertaining for some people on TV but it really makes an impact at home.So I look forward to work and look forward to sleep.