In a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Representative Adam Kinzinger opened up about his feelings of responsibility for the decline of the GOP. Kinzinger admitted that he played a role in this decline and recognized that he didn’t speak out as much as he should have. He even admitted to voting against the first impeachment out of cowardice. However, he emphasized the need for individuals to recognize the role they played and commit to defending this country and democracy.
During the conversation, Colbert asked Kinzinger about Speaker Kevin McCarthy‘s ouster. Kinzinger couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, it was great!” He explained that McCarthy knows the election wasn’t stolen but was willing to lie and go along with the narrative. Kinzinger also expressed disappointment in McCarthy’s journey from someone who initially wanted to make the GOP appealing to Millennials to someone who sold out to Donald Trump for personal gain.
Colbert then questioned Kinzinger about the new Speaker, Mike Johnson. Kinzinger admitted that he didn’t know much about Johnson before and only knew his name. However, he described Johnson as a cult-like figure packaged in a slicker way. Kinzinger revealed that Johnson approached him with a pitch to sign on to a lawsuit aimed at throwing out votes in other states. Kinzinger refused, but McCarthy later claimed that his name was originally left off the lawsuit, adding it later after public backlash.
The conversation took a turn when Colbert brought up Representative Ken Buck‘s refusal to vote for Jim Jordan due to his denial of the election results. However, Buck and other representatives ended up voting for Mike Johnson, who shared similar views. Kinzinger explained that he had conversations with those who opposed Jordan and acknowledged the pressure they faced. But when Johnson’s name came up, Kinzinger predicted that they would fold because they didn’t know him well enough to vote against him again.
As the conversation continued, Colbert asked Kinzinger about Johnson’s statement that people should refer to the Bible to understand his worldview and stance on issues. Kinzinger, a Christian himself, acknowledged the Bible’s significance in guiding his own life but emphasized that the country was founded on the principle of representing all people, regardless of their faith or lack thereof. He highlighted the importance of protecting religious freedom while maintaining a government that is not solely based on religious beliefs, citing the Taliban’s approach in Afghanistan.
In summary, Kinzinger’s appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” shed light on his introspection regarding the decline of the GOP and his responsibility in it. His candid remarks about Kevin McCarthy‘s ouster and his opinions on the new Speaker, Mike Johnson, added a lively and engaging touch to the conversation.
