Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said Thursday that Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will be the “most important endorsement” for speaker candidates following news that McCarthy had dropped out of the race for speaker. “I think it’s pretty obvious that all members of the delegation of the conference were shocked,” Issa said. “Kevin McCarthy had the vast majority of the conference’s confidence and votes, but he’s made a decision that I believe he couldn’t get to 218 and as a result, he’s taken himself out of the running in favor of a candidate who can get to 218. And I believe he’s going to be the most influential voice as to who we can get to get to 218.” Read more.