GOP Death Throes Continue . . .

Here we go:

CNN and other news outlets are reporting that House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has dropped out of the race for House speaker, facing resistance from hardliners in the Republican caucus.

Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) told CNN that the nomination conference, scheduled for Thursday, had been postponed. He said McCarthy felt he had the votes for Thursday's closed-door nomination, but was concerned he would not have the 218 votes when the nomination would be brought to a full House later this month.

The big concern now is the Debt Ceiling. The Baggers are apparently running the show in the House, and the last thing they want to do is raise the Debt Ceiling, even though failure to do so will mean economic turmoil for the United States.

UPDATE:  Harry Reid -- “The utter chaos of the Republican Party must not threaten the full faith and credit of the United States and the American people. While negotiations on a budget deal continue, we should work together immediately to take the threat of default off the table."