Over and over CNN called it a fight between normal Conservatives and Ultra-Far-Right-Conservatives. But the fight wasn’t about ideology – or issues – it was about power.

For years Washington Politicians – not starting with but including Speaker Nancy Pelosi – tilted House rules, grasping for power. Rules gave them the power to decide who serves on House Committees, which bills come to the floor for a vote – they’d write a budget, roll it out, say, Vote. Now. Yes or no. No amendments. Little debate.

Out to turn back the clock to better days, a small tribe of Republican Congressmen – starting a brawl – opposed Kevin McCarthy for Speaker.

Grasping the spotlight standing on center stage speaking for that tribe Matt Gaetz strutted, railing, mocking McCarthy as Cavin’ Kevin, Kiev Kevin, the ‘swamp alligator;’ sitting beside Gaetz, Lauren Boebert swore, I’ll never vote for McCarthy.

But what Gaetz really lusted for was publicity. And he got it. In droves. He landed on TV every day and, after the sun set, every night an email from Gaetz landed in my inbox saying, Help! Quick! Send me money. To stop swamp scum Kevin McCarthy.

After losing a dozen votes McCarthy cut a deal, told Texas Congressman Chip Roy he’d change the rules if Roy’d vote for him; Roy took the deal, part of the tribe marched behind him into McCarthy’s tent. But McCarthy still needed Gaetz’ handful of votes.

By then his name-calling had painted Gaetz into a corner so, in a clever way, pivoting he made the ‘swamp alligator’ Speaker not by voting for him but by voting ‘present.’ That way he and Boebert could go on saying, I never voted for Cavin’ Kevin – while they made McCarthy Speaker.

After the final vote, standing on the Speakers dais, beaming, McCarthy hugged Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. Both made speeches. Both grinning, like charming Washington Politicians.

So, in the end, who won?