McCarthy offered up obscure-but-critical changes to House rules that could put him back on path to eventually win. 21 GOP defectors forced a new post-Civil War record of 11 rounds of voting without electing a House speaker. Democrats fear damage will outlast McCarthy and continue for any of his successors. Hard-right conservatives have won concessions from 21 GOP opponents of Kevin McCarthy. Some of the far-right radicals view McCarthy as the sickness that is the target for these renegades. Others are willing to vote for McCarthy if he gives in to enough of their demands.
