If Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) can’t piece together enough votes to become Speaker of the House, Steve Scalise (R-LA) is the answer to the problem facing the new House majority. The minority whip from Louisiana has the experience and credibility to secure the job. More importantly, House Republicans need to get their act together to avoid a colossal fumble that only benefits Democrats.

McCarthy is a well-liked Republican relationship manager. He’s generally able to navigate issues in the House Republican conference, he’s a solid media presence, and he’s positively viewed by former President Donald Trump.

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He’s also a California Republican, an endangered species in the GOP. McCarthy isn’t known for a particularly deep policy focus either. In truth, his strongest case for becoming Speaker of the House is his ability to bridge the factions within the GOP.

A 30-40 seat Republican majority would have made McCarthy’s path a breeze. He’d be viewed as the middleman between swing district Republicans and Republicans in safe seats who represent the conservative base. The anticipated majority never materialized. Now McCarthy faces a House GOP Conference that is a much brighter shade of red than anyone expected.

Ironically, Republicans can’t win the Senate and more seats in the House with an agenda aimed squarely at the rock-ribbed conservative base. The GOP needs a common-sense conservative agenda that goes after independent voters in states like Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania. Fewer gimmicks and more leadership are critical elements to the GOP’s long-term success.

Groups like Club for Growth seem to prefer the kamikaze approach by campaigning against any candidate for speaker who plans to engage Republican primary elections or refuses to give “true conservatives” a seat at the table.

I’ve seen the “true conservative” game played for long enough. If we’re talking pro-life, fiscal conservatives with a plan to rein in the regulatory state, I’m on board. If a “true conservative” is the one with the most Fox News appearances and no plan to build governing coalitions, I’m out. Conservative purity politics are enough to make Ronald Reagan roll over in his grave and will continue to cause Republicans headaches at the polls.

I wonder if finding a speaker who finds a primary opponent for the beleaguered George Santos (R-NY) counts in the Club for Growth analysis. I’m also flummoxed that the group finds “none of the elected leadership from last month’s (November) leadership elections represents the views of 33% of Republicans who are elected conservatives.”

What?

Scalise and House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Gary Palmer (R-AL) aren’t “true conservatives”? If that’s the game Republicans want to play, then let’s prepare for a quick return to the minority. For the next two years, the GOP will burn it all down and blind half of America by publicly releasing the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop.

In reality, Republicans need the most conservative 218 members they can find who can actually agree on anything. Right now, there’s little room for error. If Republicans can’t settle on a speaker and agenda, they have little hope of expanding that number, taking back the Senate, and launching a successful run at the White House. It’s a paralysis that only benefits Democrats.

If new Congressmen like Andy Ogles (R-TN) aren’t going to vote for McCarthy, then whom will they support? Republicans who eloquently whine without providing viable alternatives are little more than pundits hoping their latest hot takes will get them a few minutes on cable news.

Even as a columnist, I can see that Scalise solves most of the problems plaguing the House Republican Conference. He’s a conservative red state Republican who has ties to Republican rank-and-file, the populist base, and he’s kept his powder dry as McCarthy tries to cobble together the votes. As whip, he knows how to work members and build vote counts–a critical skill with a slim majority. He has tenure in the house, deal-making chops, and he’s got enough Cajun to punch his own members in the mouth when they undermine Republican priorities.

Not only is Scalise a reasonable choice for Speaker, but he’s literally been shot on account of his public service and continued on the job.

If McCarthy gets the votes, it’s a moot point. If the current Republican leader sees the writing on the wall and withdraws, Scalise shouldn’t shy away from pursuing the speaker’s gavel. One way or another, Republicans need to vote together quickly to avoid a situation where a handful of fed-up Republicans offer a deal to Democrats they can’t refuse.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with four boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. He engages media, business, and policy through the Triptych Foundation and Triptych Media. Please direct outrage or agreement to [email protected] or @DCameronSmith on Twitter.