| We’re pleased that we have been able to re-schedule former Republican congressman Doc Hastings for June 22. He was scheduled to speak to the Badger Club in April, just as negotiations were finally getting underway to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a first-ever default on the national debt. At that time we wanted to get Hastings’ take on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership prospects after it took fifteen votes to elect him as Speaker. It was the first time a speaker had not been elected on the first ballot since 1859.
A lot has happened since April. McCarthy was able to successfully negotiate an agreement with President Biden to avert a default on the debt and to raise the debt limit. The deal was opposed by partisans on both sides of the isle, but finally approved at the last moment by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Sea change? Maybe. We'll be anxious to hear from our former Congressman on June 22. |